HAS NO TITLE.

Abstract

The effect of molasses supplementation during the wet season on milk production based on the grazing of Brachiaria decumbens and a protein bank of Kudzu (Pueraria phaseoloides) was evaluated using a simple reversal design and 10 Holstein x Cebu cows. Two levels of molasses were studied: 0 (TNS) and 3.0 kg/cow/day (TS). The Brachiaria decumbens was grazed using a rotational system with an stocking rate of 3.0 cows/ha. The protein bank was grazed daily for an hour, with an stocking rate of 18 cow/ha; both pastures were fertilized. Average DM availability, crude protein content and in vitro digestibility of B. decumbens and Kudzu were: 2642 and 1774 kg/ha, 8.5 and 19.2%, and 64.9 and 51.5%, respectively. Molasses supplementation increased (P<.02) milk production; average milk production was 11.0 and 11.8 lt/cow/day for TNS and TS, respectively. Milk production increase was 0.37 lt/kg of dry supplement. Data demostrates the effect of molasses on milk production during the wet season is low.