Rumen degradability of elephantgrass (Pennisetum purpureum, Schumack) grazed by lactating crossbred Holstein x Zebu dairy cows

Two experiments were carried out in a rotational elephantgrass pasture system. Two replicates of paddocks per treatment were grazed for three consecutive days. The first experiment was carried out during the dry season with 18 lactating crossbred cows, six of them rumen canulated. The cows were randomly allotted to each of the treatments: 1-resting period of 30 days without concentrate, 2-resting period of 30 days with concentrate and 3-resting period of 45 days with concentrate. In the dry season cows grazed elephantgrass during the night and were fed chopped sugarcane plus 1% ammonium sulphate:urea (9:1) between milkings. Elephantgrass extrusas were collected by treatment during the first, second and third grazing clays and were incubated in the rumen of the canulated cows. In the second trial carried out during the rainy season 12 lactating crossbred cows (four rumen canulated) were used. The treatments were resting periods of 30 or 45 days without supplementation. Decreases of extrusa quality were observed from first to third occupation day of paddock. During the dry season the lowest value of effective degradability (ED) was observed at third day of paddock occupation. During the rainy season similar ED were obtained for the three days of paddock occupation. The treatment with 30 days resulted in a better quality of herbage and higher ED than treatment with 45 days.