Our main goal in this study was to evaluate the agricultural and forage yields of three sugarcane cultivars at different cutting times (May, July and September), when there is a larger demand for forage in the region. The experiment was installed in the municipal district of Lavras, Minas Gerais. The climate is of the mesothermic type, and the soil is a Dark Red Latossolo. The experimental delineation used was of casualized blocks in 3 X 3 factorial design, with 3 repetitions. The treatments consisted of three cultivars of sugarcane (RB825336; SP80-1816; and RB835054) and three cutting times (May; July; September). Each plot consisted of 6 sugarcane rows, spaced at 1,25m, with 8m of length, and with a total area of 60m². The useful area corresponded to the four central rows, 1,0m of each extremity being eliminated, with an area of 30,0m². Green mass, dry mass, stems per hectare, and sucrose (g/100g broth) were appraised. The results showed that the cultivars and the cutting times studied had no effect on the yields of the stems, green mass, dry mass, and sugarcane sucrose (broth). The high yields obtained for green mass and dry matter, during the drought period (May to September), show the great potential of sugarcane for use in dairy cattle feeding in the area.
Sugarcaneforage; green mass; dry mass
