Abstract
This study evaluated the influence of Tanzania-grass sward height (30, 50, 70 and 90 cm) on the morphological characteristics of the canopy, grazing behavior and forage intake by adult Anglo Nubian female goats. A completely randomized experimental design was employed, with two replicates in space and two replicates in time. Six animals were used to assess the grazing behavior, and four, the ingestion process. The rise in sward height increased the forage and leaf mass, the percentages of stem and dead material, and reduced the leaf stem-1 ratio. Above 50 cm there was an increase in grazing time and a decrease in leisure time. A positive linear correlation was detected between sward height and bite depth. The consumed forage mass, ingestion rate and daily intake were higher at 50 cm, indicating that the other heights reduced the intake process. The sward height was negatively correlated to the bite rate and positively to the bite time. The sward height of 50 cm presents the best combination of features, favoring the grazing and ingestive behavior of female adult goats.
Highlights
The agricultural activity has been one of the major factors responsible for Brazilian economic growth (MARCELINO et al, 2006)
The goal of this study was to evaluate the influence of the height of Tanzania-grass pasture on canopy characteristics, grazing behavior, processes of ingestion and consumption of forage by Anglo Nubian goats
The experiment was conducted in the Sector of Goat Farming of the Department of Zootechny (DZO) from the Center for Agricultural Sciences (CCA) of the Federal University of Piauí (UFPI), city of Teresina, whose geographical coordinates are: latitude 05°05’21” S, longitude 42°48'07" W, and altitude of 74.4 m
Summary
The agricultural activity has been one of the major factors responsible for Brazilian economic growth (MARCELINO et al, 2006) In this context, the use of technologies to reduce risk and increase productivity will contribute to change the current profile of goat farming in Brazilian Northeast, from the extractivism to an income-generating activity. Animal Sciences out as a livestock producer due to, among other factors, the exploitation of the productive potential of tropical grasses. These species have high accumulation rates of forage mass and when properly managed present structural characteristics and nutritional value consistent with a good animal performance (SILVA; NASCIMENTO JÚNIOR, 2007)
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