Evaluation of mathematical models to estimate the passage rate of solids in Holstein x Zebu lactating cows grazing on elephantgrass (Pennisetum purpureum, Schumack)

Two experiments were carried out hi 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 on chopped sugarcane plus 1% ammonium sulphate: urea (9: 1) between milkings. The rate of passage was estimated by using chromium complexed to the cellular wall of elephantgrass extrusas collected during the first, second and third grazing days of each treatment. In the second trial carried out during the rainy season 12 lactating crossbred cows (four rumen fistulated) were used. The treatments were resting periods of 30 or 45 days without supplementation. Parameters of particulate passage kinectics were estimated by two models (age-independent double-compartmental and age-dependent multicompartmental) which provided similar results of ruminal passage rates values. However, larger values of post-ruminal passage rates were generally obtained with the age-dependent multicompartmental model. In the dry season, the ruminal and post-ruminal passage rates were, respectively, 0.042 and 0.087/h (age-independent double-compartmental model) and 0.041 and 0.109/h (age-dependent multicompartmental Model). In the rainy season, values of 0.035 and 0.056/h, and 0.029 and 0.090/h, were observed, respectively.