Abstract

ZANINE, A.M. et al. Grazing behavior of Holstein x Zebu lactating cows in pastures of Brachiaria brizantha and Brachiaria decumbens. Arq. Bras. Med. Vet. Zootec. [online]. 2007, vol.59, n.1, pp. 175-181. ISSN 0102-0935.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0102-09352007000100029.

The grazing behavior of lactating cows in pastures of Brachiaria brizantha and Brachiaria decumbens, in system of continuous stocking with variable stocking rate was evaluated. A completely randomized experimental design, with two treatments (pastures) and five replicates was used. The experimental period last 30 days, 20 for adaptation of the animals and 10 for three experimental evaluations, of 24h each, in intervals of five days. The grazing time of cows on the Brachiaria brizantha pasture, 10,82h, was lower than on the Brachiaria decumbens, 12,86h. Inverse behavior was observed for rumination time, 7,95 and 6,45h for cows on the pastures of Brachiaria brizantha and Brachiaria decumbens, respectively. The amount of bite per minute was lower for cows on the Brachiaria decumbens, number 37,30h, than on the Brachiaria brizantha, 42,12h. There was an adequacy among grazing time, rumination time and rate of bites and, as a consequence, no difference between pastures was observed for total of bites and time of idling.

Keywords : dairy cow; animal behavior; bite; grazing; idling.