Performance of Holstein Cows Grazing on Intensively Managed Tropical Grass Pastures at Three Stocking Rates

Abstract

In a grazing experiment at the Gurabo Agricultural Experiment Substation we measured the performance of Holstein cows at stocking rates of 2.5, 5.0, and 7.5 cows per ha. All cows received concentrate feed at the rate of 1.0 kg per 2.0 kg of milk from the first to the 180th day of lactation and of 1.0 kg per 4.0 kg of milk thereafter. Results suggest that when a relatively high concentrate supplementation is given, well-fertilized tropical pastures may sustain grazing cows at the stocking rate of 5.0 cows per ha, as economically and safely as at the stocking rate of 2.5 cows/ha. The stocking rate of 5.0 cows per ha may be recommended for those regions where land and land maintenance costs are high.