This research was aimed at evaluating the influence of two perennial warm season forage species, with different structures and growth form, represented by dwarf elephantgrass and Tifton 85, on the ingestive behavior of lactating dairy cows. Evaluations of ingestive behavior were performed with focal animals observed visually on two periods of 20 hours, beginning and ending at 08 am, during pasture growth season, on 12/22-23/2004 and 01/25-26/2005. At 10 minutes intervals, grazing time, rumination and rest activities (minutes day-1), bites rate (number minute-1), feeding station's staying time (seconds) and grazing station's distance (meters) were registered. The available leafs' dry matter were calculated. The studied species didn't affect the ingestive behavior components: time spent in grazing, ruminating and resting and also bites rate. Feeding station's staying time was superior and grazing station's distance was smaller for Tifton 85, compared with dwarf elephantgrass which may enhance ‘harvesting efficiency' in the former forage specie.
bites rate; feeding station's staying time; grazing station's distance; grazing time; rumination time
