Dry matter availability and dry matter losses using elephantgrass (Pennisetum purpureum, Schumack) under rotational grazing system with three different resting periods (30, 36 and 45 days) with Holstein x Zebu dairy cows from February to September, were evaluated. No differences between 45 and 36-day resting periods were observed for dry matter availability and dry matter losses expressed on kg/ha basis, which were higher than those observed for the 30-day resting period (P<0.05). No significant differences between resting periods were observed for dry matter availability and dry matter losses expressed on kg/cow/day basis. The dry matter availability throughout the year showed a strong decrease in forage yield from March to September. The lowests values were observed from June to September, due to the absence of rainfall, low temperatures and photoperiod effects. The dry matter losses (kg/ha) were 16.4 and 6.5% for dry matter availability observed from February to May and from June to September, respectively.
forage mass; rotational grazing; lactating cows
