INGESTIVE BEHAVIOR OF DAIRY COWS GRAZING INTERCROPPED PASTURES IN WARM SEASON

Abstract This research aimed to study the behavior of Holstein lactating cows, during the warm-season on a pasture constituted by elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.) and spontaneous growing species intercropped with white clover (Trifolium repens L.) or forage peanut (Arachis pintoi Krap & Greg.). Evaluations were taken during three grazing in December, February, and April. Six cows between the second and fifth lactation month were used for each evaluation. The data were recorded at a 10 min-interval, from 6 P.M. to 6 A.M. and from 8 A.M. to 4 P.M. The grazing time on elephant grass, on species established in space between lines, total grazing (elephant grass and species established in space between lines), rumination and idleness were the behavioral parameters observed. The average of grazing was 3h 48 min and 2h 9 min for pastures intercropped with white clover and forage peanut, respectively, being higher (P <0.05) for the first intercropped forage. The average of the grazing on elephantgrass was 5h 32 min and 6h 27 min for the respective intercropped pastures systems, with no statistical difference between them. The rumination and idleness were similar among the pastures.

摘要 本研究旨在探究暖季时节，荷斯坦泌乳奶牛在由象草（Pennisetum purpureum Schum.）与白三叶（Trifolium repens L.）或饲用花生（Arachis pintoi Krap & Greg.）间作形成的混播牧场上的行为表现。研究分别于12月、2月和4月开展三次放牧评估。每次评估选用6头处于泌乳第2至第5个月的奶牛。数据以10分钟为间隔进行记录，采集时段为当日18:00至次日6:00，以及当日8:00至16:00。本研究观测的行为参数包括：象草采食时长、行间距间伴生物种采食时长、总采食时长（象草与行间距间伴生物种采食时长之和）、反刍时长与空闲时长。结果显示，白三叶混播牧场与饲用花生混播牧场的奶牛平均总采食时长分别为3小时48分钟与2小时9分钟，前者显著更高（P<0.05）。两种混播牧场的奶牛平均象草采食时长分别为5小时32分钟与6小时27分钟，二者无统计学差异。反刍时长与空闲时长在各试验牧场间均无显著差异。