This experiment was carried out from March to August 2000, to study the dry matter yield dynamic and performance of steers grazing Tanzania grass (Panicum maximum Jacq. cv. Tanzânia), under continuous stocking with variable stocking rate, and four forage allowances (3, 7, 11, and 15% BW). Crossbred Nelore x Charolais steers, averaging 18 months and 350 kg BW, were used. A randomized block design, with three replicates, was used. When tanzaniagrass was managed in the 7 to 11% interval of forage allowance, the fertilizer input was minimal (30 kg/ha/yr N), and high average daily gain (ADG) was obtained, with no effect on the gain/ha (G/ha). Under this condition, pasture showed 1,528 kg/ha green leaf lamina dry matter (GLLDM); 56 cm of stubble height; 97% soil cover; 62 kg/ha/day of GLLDM accumulation rate; and 34% green leaf lamina in the total dry matter, with ADG of 0.5 kg/day and 126 kg of G/ha.
average daily gain; continuous stocking; gain per hectare
