 | Abstract 549Performance of Holstein cows grazing on intensively managed tropical grass pastures at three stocking rates.Antoni-Padilla,-M; Fernandez-Van-Cleve,-J; Arroyo-Aguilu,-JA; Quinones-Torres,-R Agric. Exp. Sta., Puerto Rico Univ., Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico. Journal-of-Agriculture-of-the-University-of-Puerto-Rico. 1983, 67: 3, 317-327; 16 ref. In a grazing experiment at Gurabo in Jan. 1978-June 1981, the performance of Holstein cows at stocking rates of 2.5, 5 or 7.5 cows/ha was measured. All cows received concentrate feed at the rate of 1 kg/2 kg milk from the 1st to the 180th day of lactation and of 1 kg/4 kg milk thereafter. Results suggest that when a relatively high concentrate supplementation is given, well-fertilized tropical pastures, consisting mainly of Pangola grass mixed with Guinea grass, Cynodon nlemfuensis, Brachiaria purpurascens and native spp., can sustain grazing cows at a stocking rate of 5 cows/ha as economically and safely as at 2.5 cows/ha. A stocking rate of 5 cows/ha can be recommended for those regions where land and land maintenance costs are high. This abstract relates to the following species: |