It was evaluate the dry matter (DM) herbage intake by beef heifers and the bite mass on a Pearl Millet (Pennisetum americanun (L.) Leeke) pasture. The experimental design was completely randomized with repeated measures in time, two leaf blade mass (600 and 1,000kg ha-1 of DM), which were maintained by continuous stocking with variable stocking rate, and three replicate areas. The herbage intake was evaluated using chromic oxide (Cr2O3) as a faecal production indicator and the acid detergent indigestible fiber as an internal indicator. The qualitative parameters evaluated in the forage were the neutral detergent fiber, in vitro organic mater digestibility and the crude protein content. The heavier bites were achieved in a Pearl Millet pasture managed with 1,000kg ha-1 of leaf blade dry matter (DM) even though the steers have eaten the same dry matter amount, 1.8% of live weight, in the two leaf blade mass. The Pearl Millet pasture managed with leaf blade herbage mass of 600 or 1,000kg ha-1 of DM provides to the grazing animals similar opportunity of herbage intake.
Pennisetum americanum; produção fecal; indigestible detergent acid fiber; detergent neutral fiber; chromic oxide; Pennisetum americanum (L.) Leeke; fecal production
