Was evaluated the composition of milk from animals grazing annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) fed with white clover (Trifolium repens L.), as a replacement for the protein component of the ration (soybean meal), in percentages of protein, lactose, total solids and somatic cell counts. Were used two groups with eight Holstein cows, grouped by production, lactation period and body weight, in a randomized block design. One group received 3kg of energetic supplement subtracted of soybean meal daily and had access to the white clover pasture for approximately 2.5 hours (TB); the other received the same supplement, added of a quantity of protein equivalent to daily intake in previous treatment via white clover, in the form of soybean meal (FS). Significant differences were observed for protein and lactose content, with the highest values found for protein on TB (3.02%) and lactose on FS (4.64%). For the other variables there was no difference, with values from 10.40 and 10.39% of total solids and 182.88 and 153.53 (x1000) somatic cells on TB and FS respectively, showing that the use of this alternative source of protein was efficient.
grazing; milk quality; protein; suplementation
