Productivity of dual-purpose wheat genotypes under grazing with lactating cows

ABSTRACT The objective of this research was to evaluate the productivity of two dual-purpose wheat genotypes BRS Tarumã and BRS Umbu under grazing with lactating cows. The experimental design was completely randomized, with two treatments, three replications (paddocks) and repeated measures (grazing cycles). Studied variables were early growth, the structural composition of wheat, forage production, leaf blade biomass, the stocking rate, the herbage and leaf blade allowance, the grazing efficiency, the herbage intake and grain yield. The earliest genotype for forage production was the BRS Umbu. Differences in herbage yield between BRS Umbu and BRS Tarumã genotypes (3196 vs. 4143kg DM/ha) and leaf blade production (2281 vs. 3205kg DM/ha), respectively, were detected. Similar values between cultivars were found in stocking rate (2,26AU/ha); grazing efficiency (52,26%), herbage intake (2,91 %) and grain yield (1716kg/ha). The BRS Tarumã genotype is the most suitable for dual-purpose under grazing with dairy cows.