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Rotational grazing management in a tropical pasture to maximize the dairy cow's herbage intake rate

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of rotational grazing strategies on the dynamics of the grazing pastures of millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) grazed by dairy cows. Treatments consisted of two pre-grazing heights (60 and 40cm) and two post-grazing heights (20 and 10cm) allocated in a randomized block design with four replications. The sward height was evaluated during grazing every 10 minutes. The rate of grazing down of the sward height of the pasture on the 40-20 grazing strategy was relatively constant throughout the grazing down. Treatment 60-10 showed the largest decline in the rate of grazing down. The rate of grazing down in the 40-10 treatment decreased with a slower intensity when compared to the treatments with 60cm of pre-grazing sward height. The major intake rates were observed in treatments with pre-grazing sward height of 60cm. The best management strategy was considered the combination of 60-20cm of sward height.

bite; dairy cows; intake rate; pasture structure; Pennisetum glaucum


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