SUPPLEMENTATION AND PERFORMANCE OF LACTATING DUAL PURPOSE COWS GRAZING TROPICAL PASTURES

Abstract

Eighteen dual purpose cows (489.7 ± 39 kg, body weight) in their second lactation were used in order to study the effect of two supplements: one with 58 % (dry basis) molasses-urea (3 % urea) (MS), the second was a commercial of cereal grains (CS). Both supplements represented almost 20 % of total DM dry matter. Cows grazed daily during 11 hours in non irrigated, non fertilized, African Star grass (Cynodon nlemfuensis). Cows were milked twice a day, following a restricted suckling scheme and measurements where done during the first 120 days of lactation. Commercial milk (kg/cow) was smaller (p0.05) were found for total milk or fat corrected milk production nor fat milk percentage. Calves in treatment MS consumed more milk (p0.05). Cows in MS registered body weight losses (p