We evaluated the intake and digestibility of nutrients of elephant grass hay (EGH; Pennisetum purpureum cv. Gramafante) cut at different ages (60, 120, 180, and 240 days) associated with the cactus cladodes (Opuntia stricta Haw, Haw). Sixteen Santa Inês sheep with an average body weight of 24.29 kg, were assigned in four treatments. The experimental period was 45 days, 15 days were used for animals adaptation to management and installations, and 30 days for data and sample collection (feed, orts, and feces). Depending on grass age and fiber content, the experimental diets were adjusted with the following EGH:Opuntia:concentrate ratio (38:22:30; 35:35:30; 32:38:30, and 29:41:30). With increasing cutting age there was a linear reduction in the intake of dry matter, organic matter, and neutral detergent fiber (1.20 to 1.00; 1.03 to 0.86 and 0.47 to 0.36 kg/day; respectively). On the other hand, the intake of crude protein and total digestible nutrients (TDN) were not influenced by cutting age (0.15 and 0.65 kg/day, respectively). The digestibility of dry matter and organic matter increased linearly with the cutting age of elephant grass advanced (72.4 to 76.4 and 74.7 to 76.8%, respectively). The digestibility of crude protein and neutral detergent fiber was not influenced by cutting age. The purpose of making later cuts would be to increase the availability of fibrous material to be associated with the cactus cladodes. It is concluded that cutting age does not influence the intake of energy (TDN intake) and crude protein, also the cutting should be performed at the age for the highest dry matter production and on the availability of cactus cladodes.