The study evaluated small-scale dairy systems with continuous grazing of pastures based on three temperate grasses festulolium (FL), tall fescue (TF), and perennial ryegrass (RG), compared with subtropical kikuyu grass (KG). All pastures were associated with white clover (Trifolium repens L.). Twelve multiparous Holstein cows were assigned to a 4 × 4 Latin square replicated three times with 14-day experimental periods. Sampling and analyses of pastures, concentrates, and animal variables followed standard procedures. FL showed a significantly (p < 0.05) higher mean sward height, but there were no differences (p > 0.05) in net herbage accumulation. There were significant differences (p < 0.05) among pastures for CP, NDF, ADF, in vitro digestibility of OM (IVOMD), and estimated metabolizable energy (eME). There were no differences (p > 0.05) between treatments for milk yield and composition, live weight, or body condition score. There were significant differences (p < 0.05) in fatty acid values for pastures in C14:0, C16:1, and C18:3n3. There were significant differences between treatments (p < 0.05) in milk contents for C18:0, C18:1t11, and C18:2c9t11. Grazing FL, TF, RG, or KY pastures showed no differences in milk yields. Higher values for C18:0, C18:1t11, and C18:2c9t11 were detected in KY, RG, and TF. RG had significantly higher MUFA than FL and higher PUFA than TF. A value under 65% of SFA, a ratio of n-6/n-3 lower than 4, and an atherogenic index of 1.7 are indicators of milk with beneficial effects for human health.

Forage from small-grain cereals is an option to diversify feeding strategies in small-scale dairy systems (SSDS), due to their short cycle and ample adaptation. Mixtures of cereal species may have synergic advantages; however, grazing or ensiling are not always possible due to climatic factors, so that forage crops are left to mature and lose quality. Urea treatment of whole-crop mature cereal mixtures may be an option to salvage forage that could not be grazed or ensiled. The objective was to evaluate the performance of dairy cows fed urea-treated mature whole-crop forage mixtures of triticale (TRT), rye (RYE), and barley (BLY), in the dry season for SSDS. Treatment mixtures were TRT+RYE, TRT-BLY, and RYE+BLY. Fully mature cereal mixtures crops were treated with 4 - 6% granular urea (plus water) on a fresh basis. Forage variables were analysed with a split-plot design. Whole-crop forage yields were 3.4 ton/ha, with highest yields for RYE-BLY. Crude protein content increased two-fold in treated forages, and dry matter digestibility was moderate with a mean estimated ME content of 7.9 MJ ME/kg DM. Performance was evaluated by an on-farm 3x3 Latin square experimental design repeated 3 times with nine Holstein cows. Cows were offered daily 9.0 kg DM of urea treated forage; complemented with 4.4 kg DM of concentrate, day-grazing, and 1.5 kg of cut pasture. There were no statistical differences (P>0.05) for any of the animal variables. Urea treatment of whole-crop mature cereal mixtures resulted in a complementary moderate quality salvage forage for the dry season.

Objective. To evaluate the botanical composition of grasslands of kikuyu (Cenchrus clandestinus) compared to tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum cv. Cajun II), each one in association with white clover (Trifolium repens cv. Ladino), in two independent experiments conducted during two seasons, autumn 2018 and winter 2019. Methodology. Two independent experiments under small-scale milk production system (SMPS) were established in the municipality of Aculco, State of Mexico, during autumn 2018 and winter 2019. The botanical composition of grasslands under intensive continuous grazing by breeding cows was evaluated. One grassland planted with tall fescue cv. Cajun II and the other invaded by kikuyu; each grassland was associated with white clover cv. Ladino. The botanical composition of both experiments was analyzed using a complete randomized experimental design. Results. The kikuyu grassland recorded significant differences (p<0.05) with a higher proportion of forage during the winter 2018. Whereas the tall fescue cv. Cajun II grassland recorded a proportion of forage (p<0.05) higher than its proportion of dead tissue during autumn 2019. Study Implications: The study of the botanical composition of mixed grasslands destined for livestock grazing allows to identify, propose and define strategies for forage production facing agroclimatic and management conditions in order to generate a better and higher forage yield. Conclusions: The proportion of kikuyu was higher than that of tall fescue cv. Cajun II during the two seasons and years evaluated. This highlights the adaptability of kikuyu grass under agroecological conditions such as the absence of rains and high temperatures, coupled with the high stocking densities of the milk production systems in the study region.