Productive and Qualitative Characteristics of Pasture and Performance of Sheep Grazing on Urochloa Cultivars Under Intermittent Stocking

This study aimed to evaluate the structural, productive, and qualitative characteristics of forage, as well as the performance of sheep grazing on <i>Urochloa</i> pastures. Santa Inês sheep were used in a completely randomized design, with six experimental units per treatment. Treatments comprised four <i>Urochloa</i> cultivars (Marandu, Paiaguás, Xaraés, and Ipyporã) managed under intermittent stocking. Grazing and rest periods did not differ among cultivars, averaging 9.9 and 43.5 days, respectively. Pre-grazing forage mass was higher in the Ipyporã cultivar than the others, which did not differ from one another (4670.3 kg DM/ha). The leaf blade-to-stem ratio at pre-grazing was lowest in Paiaguás (1.09) and highest in Xaraés (1.61). Mineral matter, acid detergent fiber, and crude protein contents in leaves did not differ among cultivars. The longest grazing time was observed in Paiaguás (370.8 min/day). Cultivar did not affect idling time (592.1 min/day), rumination time (466.9 min/day), or bite rate (19.95 bites/min). Average daily gain did not differ among cultivars, with an overall mean of 74.5 g/day. The stocking rate was higher in Ipyporã compared to the other cultivars (12.75 AU 30 kg/ha), resulting in greater animal gain per unit area (1319.5 g/ha). The Ipyporã cultivar was more productive and supported a higher carrying capacity. Nonetheless, all four cultivars yielded satisfactory results and are recommended for grazing-based sheep production systems.