Behavior of beef cattle and the microclimate with and without shade

Marcio Antonio Baliscei,Edicarlos De Oliveira Queiroz,Wander De Souza,Ulysses Cecato,Alexandre Krutzmann,Orlando Rus Barbosa

doi:10.4025/actascianimsci.v34i4.15055

Marcio Antonio Baliscei, Edicarlos De Oliveira Queiroz + Show 4 more

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https://doi.org/10.4025/actascianimsci.v34i4.15055

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Abstract

It was evaluated the intake behavior of Nellore steers in system without shade (WS), and silvopastoral system (SP) maintained in star grass (Cynodon plectostachyus) in summer and winter. Twenty-four Nellore steers were used (12 in each system), mean age 18 months and weight of 294.5 kg. The design was completely randomized with two seasons, two treatments, 24 hours and 12 repetitions. The observations were conducted in three days, for 24 hours, with an interval of 15 minutes, with effect of the hour on the grazing behavior (GRAZ) with a maximum of 52.1% and lying ruminating (LYRUM) with a minimum of 12.3%, both at 14h. The lying idle (LYIDL) was influenced by hour with a minimum of 11,6%at 14h, and by season, with 23.9% in summer, and 13.9%, in winter. However, the standing ruminating (STRUM), without effect of hour, was affected by the interaction of season x system in summer (9.43%) and (6.19%), and winter (4.36%) and (8.27%), respectively, for SP and WS. Standing idle (OCEMP) was influenced by hour, with maximum 15.8% at 14h, and an interaction of system x season, in summer (20.10%) and (8.82%); and winter (9.05%) and (8.44%), respectively, for SP and WS. The SP system has changed the environment that affected the animal intake behavior.

Highlights

IntroductionStudies on intake behavior of ruminants are used to establish the relationship between behavior and nutrient intake, and to verify the potential use of knowledge about the feeding behavior to improve animal performance (MENDES et al, 2010)
Studies on intake behavior of ruminants are used to establish the relationship between behavior and nutrient intake, and to verify the potential use of knowledge about the feeding behavior to improve animal performance (MENDES et al, 2010).According to Zanine et al (2007), the study on the ingestive behavior is an important tool for the elaboration of management protocols, which may facilitate and increase the productivity when properly designed and executed
This study evaluated the effect of the presence or not of trees on the intake behavior of Nellore steers and the microclimate in summer and winter

Summary

Introduction

Studies on intake behavior of ruminants are used to establish the relationship between behavior and nutrient intake, and to verify the potential use of knowledge about the feeding behavior to improve animal performance (MENDES et al, 2010). According to Leme et al (2005), given the high levels of solar radiation in tropical regions, the shade of trees can favor significantly the performance of the animals, once Souza et al (2010) stated that the intake behavior is influenced by the presence of trees in grazing environments. In this way, this study evaluated the effect of the presence or not of trees on the intake behavior of Nellore steers and the microclimate in summer and winter

Material and methods

Results and discussion

Conclusion