Context. Grazing management strategies affect sward structure, changing patterns of foraging and intake, and consequently animal performance.
Aims. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between sward structure and forage intake rate by cattle grazing elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schumach) cv. Napier subjected to strategies of rotational stocking management.
Methods. The experiment was conducted in Piracicaba, SP, Brazil, from January 2011 to April 2012. Treatments corresponded to all combinations between two post-grazing conditions (post-grazing heights of 35 and 45 cm) and two pre-grazing conditions (95% and maximum canopy light interception during regrowth; LI). The response variables evaluated at both pre- and post-grazing conditions were: (1) vertical distribution of morphological components; (2) bite rate; (3) bite mass; (4) intake rate; and (5) forage nutritive value (morphological and chemical composition of oesophageal extrusa samples).
Key results. Bite mass was smaller and bite rate was greater for LI95% swards at pre- and post-grazing, resulting in greater rate of forage intake. The post-grazing height targets affected the morphological and the chemical composition of the forage consumed.
Conclusions. In general, pastures managed with targets LI95% (pre-grazing) and 45 cm (post-grazing height) resulted in greater leaf percentage and nutritive value of the consumed forage.
Implications. Adequate grazing management strategies allow for high residual leaf area in pastures, ensuring rapid recovery after grazing. For grazing elephant grass cv. Napier, this corresponded to the combination between the LI95% pre-grazing target and the 45 cm post-grazing height.
