Data/hora: 08/06/2024 00:44:18

Biblioteca(s): | Embrapa Pantanal.
Data corrente: | 01/10/1997
Data da última atualização: | 05/04/2017
Autoria: | LACA, E. A.; UNGAR, E. D.; SELIGMAN, N. G.; RAMEY, M. R.; DEMMENT, M. W.
Título: | An integrated methodology for studying short-term grazing behaviour of cattle.
Ano de publicação: | 1992
Fonte/Imprenta: | Grass and Forage Science, v.47, p.81-90, 1992.
Idioma: | Inglês
Conteúdo: | Grazing studies are hampered by difficult in controlling the characteristics of that part of the sward encountered by animals. A methodology was developed to study the effects of sward heigt, density and spatial arrangement on bite dimensions, bite weight and instantaneous intake rate by cattle. Hand-constructed swards (HCS) consisted of tillers threaded through wooden modules and attached to a base board. The microphone of a cordless transmitter was attached to the forehead of steers before swards were grazed. HCS were bolted onto a force plate which recorded the forces exerted during grazing. Grazing sessions were videotaped. Height and density of swards were successfully controlled by hand-construction. Bite weight was determined more accurately by dry matter (DM) disappearance than by the reduction of fresh weight corrected for moisture loss and herbage DM content. Bite area and bite depth were precisely measured by counting and measuring the residual height of grazed plant parts. Bites and chews were identified and counted from the soundtrack of video tapes. Visual count of chews was inaccurate because animals can prehend new herbage and chew herbage previously hathered with the same jaw movement. Many jaw movements involve only manipulation of herbage without bitting or chewing. Bite dimensions result from the physical interactions of relatively fixed motor patterns, such as tongue sweeps, with vegetation structure. Thus, bite dimension measured by this technique are relevant to field situations.
Palavras-Chave: | Behaviour; Comportamento.
Thesagro: | Gado; Nutrição.
Thesaurus Nal: | cattle; nutrition.
Categoria do assunto: | --
Registro original: | Embrapa Pantanal (CPAP)
Exemplares: | CPAP - (35029-1) - ADD - SP - PP - SP15391 -  - 15391 - DIS