Ingestive behavior of Holstein × Zebu cows managed on deferred supplemented pasture

This study aimed to evaluate the ingestive behavior of F1 Holstein × Zebu cows grazing on deferred pasture receiving different supplementation strategies. The experimental design was completely randomized, in a 3×4 factorial, with three supplementation strategies and four evaluation periods. The ingestive behavior of 24 cows divided into three groups of supplementation provided at milking was observed, and two of these groups received protein in the pasture. Ingestive behavior was monitored every 10 minutes for 24 hours and analyzed in the form of periods (morning, afternoon, night, and dawn) and total time. The animals remained longer grazing during the afternoon when the BGHI presented values of 83.8. Protein consumption did not influence grazing time but interfered with forage consumption. For the total grazing time, the animals in group 2 spent less time grazing. The groups of animals presented no difference concerning the time spent on rumination and idleness. During night and dawn, when the climate was characterized as thermal comfort, the animals spent more time ruminating. The climatic conditions did not influence the ingestive behavior, as the grazing peak was observed at times of higher BGHI. However, supplementation of the animals in group 2 modified the ingestive behavior of F1 H × Z cows.

Physiological parameters of F1 Holstein × Zebu cows fed with banana peel / Parâmetros fisiológicos de vacas F1 Holandês × Zebu alimentadas com inclusão de casca de banana

The objective was to evaluate the effects of different levels of banana peel inclusion on the physiological variables of lactating F1 Holstein × Zebu cows. Ten cows distributed in two 5 × 5 Latin squares were used. Five experimental diets were tested: sorghum silage (control group); and the addition of 15%, 30%, 45%, and 60% of banana peel to replace sorghum silage. The experiment lasted 80 days. The environmental and physiological variables of the animals were measured. The Black Globe-Humidity Index presented an alert situation in the morning shift and a dangerous situation in the afternoon shift. The respiratory rate was not influenced by the levels of banana peel inclusion (P > 0.05) in the morning shift. However, it was influenced (P < 0.05) in the afternoon shift. The levels of banana peel inclusion in the diet did not affect the rectal temperature. Under the study environmental conditions, the level of up to 60% of banana peel replacing sorghum silage did not alter the physiological variables of thermoregulation in F1 Holstein × Zebu cows.

Objetivou-se avaliar níveis de inclusão da casca de banana sobre as variáveis fisiológicas de vacas F1 Holandesas × Zebu em lactação. Foram utilizadas 10 vacas distribuídas em dois quadrados latinos 5×5. Sendo cinco dietas experimentais: silagem de sorgo (grupo controle); e a inserção de 15, 30, 45 e 60% da casca de banana em substituição a silagem de sorgo. O experimento teve duração de 80 dias. Mensuraram-se as variáveis ambientais e fisiológicas dos animais. O índice de temperatura de globo negro e umidade encontrada no turno matutino apresentou uma situação de alerta e no turno vespertino uma situação perigosa. A frequência respiratória foi influenciada pelos níveis de inclusão de casca de banana no turno vespertino. A temperatura retal não foi influenciada pelos níveis de inclusão de casca de banana na dieta. Sob as condições ambientais estudadas, o nível de até 60% de casca de banana, em substituição a silagem de sorgo, não alterou as variáveis fisiológicas de termorregulação em vacas F1 Holandesas × Zebu.

Forage production, morphogenetic and structural components, and nutritional value of tropical grasses in the semiarid condition / Produção de forragem, componentes morfogênicos e estruturais e valor nutricional de gramíneas tropicais em condição semiárida

The objective of this study was to evaluate the forage mass, morphogenetic and structural characteristics, and nutritional value of tropical forage grasses in semiarid conditions. Nine grasses were evaluated, namely, three cultivars of Urochloa brizantha (Marandu, MG4, and Piatã); Urochloa decumbens cv. Basilisk; Urochloa humidicola cv. Llanero; Urochloa ruziziensis cv. Kennedy; and three cultivars of Megathyrsus maximum (Massai, Mombaça, and Tanzania). The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design in a split-plot arrangement in which the main factor were the grass cultivars and the secondary factor the seasons, with five replications per treatment. The statistical model included the fixed effect of treatment (grass), whereas the season was included as a random effect within treatments. Urochloa brizantha cvs. Marandu, MG4, and Piatã and Urochloa decumbens cv. Basilisk produced on average 858 kg ha-1 more forage mass than cvs. Kennedy and Basilisk. Megathyrsus maximum cv. Mombaça produced 40% more forage mass than the other cultivars of M. maximum (4205 vs. 3001 kg ha-1). Urochloa ruziziensis cv. Kennedy showed the lowest water use efficiency (36%). Urochloa ruziziensis cv. Kennedy exhibited the lowest leaf weight among the Urochloa cultivars (740 vs. 1319 kg ha-1). There was no treatment effect for leaf weight in the M. maximum cultivars. Urochloa ruziziensis cv. Kennedy showed the highest values of total digestible nutrients and dry matter digestibility (1.84 and 2.34%, respectively) among the other Urochloa cultivars. The M. maximum cultivars showed little differences in nutritional values. Cultivars Marandu, Piatã, and Massai exhibited better productive responses in the edaphoclimatic conditions of this study. However, future studies must be conducted evaluating the adaptation of the forage grass under semiarid conditions. Considering the settings of this study, the grasses Urochloa brizantha cvs. MG4, Marandu, and Piatã, as well as Megathyrsus maximum cvs. Massai and Mombaça, can be used in the semiarid condition.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a produtividade, características morfogênicas e estruturais e valor nutritivo de gramíneas forrageiras tropicais em condições semiáridas. Nove gramíneas foram avaliadas: Três cultivares de Urochloa brizantha (Marandu, MG4 e Piatã), Urochloa decumbens cv. Basilisk, Urochloa humidicola cv. Llanero, Urochloa ruziziensis cv. Kennedy e três cultivares de Megathyrsus maximum (Massai, capim-Mombaça e Tanzânia). O experimento foi conduzido em blocos completos casualizados em esquema de parcelas subdivididas com o fator principal (cultivar) e o fator secundário (estação) com cinco repetições por tratamento. O modelo estatístico incluiu o efeito fixo de tratamento (cultivar), e a estação do ano foi incluída como efeito aleatório dentro do tratamento. Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu, MG4 e Piatã e Urochloa decumbens cv Basilisk produziram em média 858 kg ha-1 de massa de forragem a mais que a cv. Kennedy e Llanero. Megathyrsus cv. Mombaça produziu 40% (4205 vs. 3001 kg ha-1) a mais de massa de forragem do que as demais cultivares de Megathyrsus maximum. Urochloa ruziziensis cv. Kennedy apresentou a menor (36%) eficiência no uso da água (EUA). Urochloa ruziziensis cv. Kennedy produziu menor quantidade de folhas (740 vs. 1319 kg ha-1) para as demais cultivares de Urochloa. Não houve efeito do tratamento na produtividade de folhas para as cultivares Megathyrsus maximum. Urochloa ruziziensis cv. Kennedy apresentou os maiores valores de nutrientes digestíveis totais (NDT) e digestibilidade da matéria seca (DMS) (+1,84 e 2,34%, respectivamente) em relação à outra cultivar de Urochloa. As cultivares Megathyrsus maximum tiveram pouco efeito sobre os valores nutritivos. As cultivares Marandu, Piatã e Massai apresentaram melhores respostas produtivas nas condições edafoclimáticas deste estudo. No entanto, estudos futuros devem ser realizados avaliando a adaptação da forrageira em condições semiáridas. Nesta condição de estudo, as gramíneas Urochloa brizantha cv. MG4, Marandu e Piatã, assim como o Megathyrsus maximum cv. Massai e Mombaça podem ser usados em condições semiáridas.

Ingestive behavior and infrared thermography of Holstein × Zebu crossbreed cows in the final third of gestation in different pastoral environments

This study aimed to evaluate the ingestive behavior and body surface temperature of F1 Holstein × Zebu cows that were non-lactating in the final third of gestation and managed in two pastoral environments. Forty F1 Holstein × Zebu cows divided into two pastoral environments were evaluated: signal grass (Urochloa decumbens cv. Basilisk) deferred at the beginning of regrowth and pasture of xaraés grass (Urochloa brizantha cv. Xaraés) in vegetative growth in four periods during the day (morning, afternoon, night and dawn), following the completely randomized design in a factorial scheme. Each cow is the experimental unit. The total grazing time was 32.22% higher in the signal grass than xaraés grass (averageof 479.50 minutes). There was an interaction between the pastoral environments and the times of day on the black globe temperature and humidity index (BGHI). In the pasture of signal grass, the BGHI was 19.07% higher in the morning and afternoon periods than the average (68.95) verified during the night and dawn. F1 Holstein × Zebu cows grazing time in the final third of gestation is influenced by the pasture condition and not by the climate since they feed in a high BGHI environment.(AU)

Ingestive behavior and infrared thermography of Holstein × Zebu crossbreed cows in the final third of gestation in different pastoral environments

This study aimed to evaluate the ingestive behavior and body surface temperature of F1 Holstein × Zebu cows that were non-lactating in the final third of gestation and managed in two pastoral environments. Forty F1 Holstein × Zebu cows divided into two pastoral environments were evaluated: signal grass (Urochloa decumbens cv. Basilisk) deferred at the beginning of regrowth and pasture of xaraés grass (Urochloa brizantha cv. Xaraés) in vegetative growth in four periods during the day (morning, afternoon, night and dawn), following the completely randomized design in a factorial scheme. Each cow is the experimental unit. The total grazing time was 32.22% higher in the signal grass than xaraés grass (averageof 479.50 minutes). There was an interaction between the pastoral environments and the times of day on the black globe temperature and humidity index (BGHI). In the pasture of signal grass, the BGHI was 19.07% higher in the morning and afternoon periods than the average (68.95) verified during the night and dawn. F1 Holstein × Zebu cows grazing time in the final third of gestation is influenced by the pasture condition and not by the climate since they feed in a high BGHI environment.(AU)

Ingestive behavior and infrared thermography of Holstein × Zebu crossbreed cows in the final third of gestation in different pastoral environments

This study aimed to evaluate the ingestive behavior and body surface temperature of F1 Holstein × Zebu cows that were non-lactating in the final third of gestation and managed in two pastoral environments. Forty F1 Holstein × Zebu cows divided into two pastoral environments were evaluated: signal grass (Urochloa decumbens cv. Basilisk) deferred at the beginning of regrowth and pasture of xaraés grass (Urochloa brizantha cv. Xaraés) in vegetative growth in four periods during the day (morning, afternoon, night and dawn), following the completely randomized design in a factorial scheme. Each cow is the experimental unit. The total grazing time was 32.22% higher in the signal grass than xaraés grass (averageof 479.50 minutes). There was an interaction between the pastoral environments and the times of day on the black globe temperature and humidity index (BGHI). In the pasture of signal grass, the BGHI was 19.07% higher in the morning and afternoon periods than the average (68.95) verified during the night and dawn. F1 Holstein × Zebu cows grazing time in the final third of gestation is influenced by the pasture condition and not by the climate since they feed in a high BGHI environment.

Phenotypic characterization and weight prediction of crossbred Dorper × Santa Inês ewes / Caracterização fenotípica e predição do peso de ovelhas mestiças Dorper × Santa Inês

The objective was to determine zoometric indices, correlate, and predict body weight based on the biometric measurements of F1 Dorper × Santa Inês (F1 D × SI) ewes created extensively. Were 25 F1 D × SI sheep monitored, with ages varying from 2 to 9 months. Body weight, thoracic perimeter, belly perimeter, body length, withers height, rump height, rump width, and rump length were measured on a monthly basis and zoometric indices were estimated from them. Descriptive data analysis, Pearson's correlation, and regression analysis were performed. The biometric measurements and zoometric indices of F1 D × SI ewes indicate an animal of aptitude for cutting, with good conformation. In addition, they demonstrate favorable aspects for reproduction, a fundamental characteristic in the selection of matrices. Body weight has a high and positive correlation for all characteristics analyzed, with values ranging from 0.74 of the rump length to 0.88 of the thoracic perimeter. The regressions for all biometric measurements were highly significant (P 0.0001) with an emphasis on the thoracic perimeter that has the highest coefficient of determination (R² = 0.77), the other measures presented below 0.70. It was concluded that F1 Dorper × Santa Inês ewes have characteristics for meat production and for reproduction. Also, of the biometric measurements, the thoracic perimeter can be used to predict the body weight of F1 Dorper × Santa Inês ewes.(AU)

Objetivou-se determinar índices zoométricos, correlacionar e predizer o peso corporal a partir das medidas biométricas de fêmeas F1 Dorper × Santa Inês (F1 D × SI) criadas extensivamente. Foram acompanhadas 25 fêmeas ovinas F1 D × SI, com idades variando de 2 a 9 meses. Mensurou-se mensalmente o peso corporal, perímetro torácico, perímetro de barriga, comprimento corporal, altura de cernelha, altura de garupa, largura de garupa, comprimento de garupa e a partir dos mesmos estimou-se os índices zoométricos. Realizou-se análise descritiva dos dados, correlação de Pearson e análise de regressão. As medidas biométricas e os índices zoométricos das fêmeas F1 D × SI indicam um animal de aptidão para corte, com boa conformação, além disso, demonstram aspectos favoráveis para reprodução, característica fundamental na seleção de matrizes. O peso corporal apresenta correlação alta e positiva para todas as características analisadas, com valores variando de 0,74 do comprimento de garupa a 0,88 de perímetro torácico. As regressões para todas as medidas biométricas foram altamente significativas (P 0,0001) com destaque para o perímetro torácico que apresenta o maior coeficiente de determinação (R² = 0,77), as demais medidas apresentaram abaixo de 0,70. Conclui-se que as fêmeas F1 Dorper × Santa Inês apresentam características para produção de carne e para reprodução. E que das medidas biométricas, o perímetro torácico, pode ser utilizado para predição do peso corporal das fêmeas F1 Dorper × Santa Inês.(AU)

Phenotypic characterization and weight prediction of crossbred Dorper × Santa Inês ewes / Caracterização fenotípica e predição do peso de ovelhas mestiças Dorper × Santa Inês

The objective was to determine zoometric indices, correlate, and predict body weight based on the biometric measurements of F1 Dorper × Santa Inês (F1 D × SI) ewes created extensively. Were 25 F1 D × SI sheep monitored, with ages varying from 2 to 9 months. Body weight, thoracic perimeter, belly perimeter, body length, withers height, rump height, rump width, and rump length were measured on a monthly basis and zoometric indices were estimated from them. Descriptive data analysis, Pearson's correlation, and regression analysis were performed. The biometric measurements and zoometric indices of F1 D × SI ewes indicate an animal of aptitude for cutting, with good conformation. In addition, they demonstrate favorable aspects for reproduction, a fundamental characteristic in the selection of matrices. Body weight has a high and positive correlation for all characteristics analyzed, with values ranging from 0.74 of the rump length to 0.88 of the thoracic perimeter. The regressions for all biometric measurements were highly significant (P 0.0001) with an emphasis on the thoracic perimeter that has the highest coefficient of determination (R² = 0.77), the other measures presented below 0.70. It was concluded that F1 Dorper × Santa Inês ewes have characteristics for meat production and for reproduction. Also, of the biometric measurements, the thoracic perimeter can be used to predict the body weight of F1 Dorper × Santa Inês ewes.

Objetivou-se determinar índices zoométricos, correlacionar e predizer o peso corporal a partir das medidas biométricas de fêmeas F1 Dorper × Santa Inês (F1 D × SI) criadas extensivamente. Foram acompanhadas 25 fêmeas ovinas F1 D × SI, com idades variando de 2 a 9 meses. Mensurou-se mensalmente o peso corporal, perímetro torácico, perímetro de barriga, comprimento corporal, altura de cernelha, altura de garupa, largura de garupa, comprimento de garupa e a partir dos mesmos estimou-se os índices zoométricos. Realizou-se análise descritiva dos dados, correlação de Pearson e análise de regressão. As medidas biométricas e os índices zoométricos das fêmeas F1 D × SI indicam um animal de aptidão para corte, com boa conformação, além disso, demonstram aspectos favoráveis para reprodução, característica fundamental na seleção de matrizes. O peso corporal apresenta correlação alta e positiva para todas as características analisadas, com valores variando de 0,74 do comprimento de garupa a 0,88 de perímetro torácico. As regressões para todas as medidas biométricas foram altamente significativas (P 0,0001) com destaque para o perímetro torácico que apresenta o maior coeficiente de determinação (R² = 0,77), as demais medidas apresentaram abaixo de 0,70. Conclui-se que as fêmeas F1 Dorper × Santa Inês apresentam características para produção de carne e para reprodução. E que das medidas biométricas, o perímetro torácico, pode ser utilizado para predição do peso corporal das fêmeas F1 Dorper × Santa Inês.

Behavioral and physiological responses of crossbred Holstein-Zebu cows and their interaction with the milker in two milking systems

The aim of this study was to evaluate the behavioral and physiological responses of dairy cows and their interaction with the milker in two types of milking systems. The experiment was conducted in two farms, in the Coração de Jesus city, Brazil, where the surface temperature (TS, °C), rectal temperature (TR, °C), respiratory rate (RR, breaths.min-1) and heart rate (HR, beats.min-1) of 44 crossbred cows during the morning shift on twelve days of data collection at each farm. It was monitored the meteorological variables: the black globe temperature (TGN, °C), air temperature (TAR, °C), relative humidity (RH, %) and wind speed (V, m.s-1). Observations about human behavior, negative patterns (tapping, yelling, and pushing) and positive patterns (talking, groping, and naming) were made without people being aware of their nature. The behavioral data observed in the animals were: vocalization (VOC), defecation (DEF), micturition (MIC) and movement (MOV) and milking time (TOR) was also recorded. The physiological variables were significant among farms, except heart rate. The talking, naming, pushing and shouting actions were not significant, only groping and hitting. The behavior occurrences VOC, MIC, and MOV of cows were low. The TO presented a positive correlation (P <0.01) with TS, TR, and HR and negative correlation (P <0.01) with RR. Under the conditions of this experiment, the type of milking system influenced the physiological responses. The milking system of type "bucket at the bottom" provided greater contact between the milker and the cow, leading to a greater negative interaction reflected by the defecation behavior.(AU)

Behavioral and physiological responses of crossbred Holstein-Zebu cows and their interaction with the milker in two milking systems

The aim of this study was to evaluate the behavioral and physiological responses of dairy cows and their interaction with the milker in two types of milking systems. The experiment was conducted in two farms, in the Coração de Jesus city, Brazil, where the surface temperature (TS, °C), rectal temperature (TR, °C), respiratory rate (RR, breaths.min-1) and heart rate (HR, beats.min-1) of 44 crossbred cows during the morning shift on twelve days of data collection at each farm. It was monitored the meteorological variables: the black globe temperature (TGN, °C), air temperature (TAR, °C), relative humidity (RH, %) and wind speed (V, m.s-1). Observations about human behavior, negative patterns (tapping, yelling, and pushing) and positive patterns (talking, groping, and naming) were made without people being aware of their nature. The behavioral data observed in the animals were: vocalization (VOC), defecation (DEF), micturition (MIC) and movement (MOV) and milking time (TOR) was also recorded. The physiological variables were significant among farms, except heart rate. The talking, naming, pushing and shouting actions were not significant, only groping and hitting. The behavior occurrences VOC, MIC, and MOV of cows were low. The TO presented a positive correlation (P <0.01) with TS, TR, and HR and negative correlation (P <0.01) with RR. Under the conditions of this experiment, the type of milking system influenced the physiological responses. The milking system of type "bucket at the bottom" provided greater contact between the milker and the cow, leading to a greater negative interaction reflected by the defecation behavior.

Biophysical responses of Santa Inês and crossbred Santa Inês-Dorper (F1) ewes to a hot environment

This study aimed to evaluate the biophysical responses of Santa Inês ewes and crossbred Santa Inês-Dorper ewes in a hot environment. Physiological parameters were measured: rectal temperature, respiratory rate, coat surface temperature, skin surface temperature, and heart rate. Biophysical parameters were also calculated: heat exchanges by cutaneous convection and radiation, as well as heat storage and thermal conduction in fleece. Throughout the collection period, meteorological variables were similarly monitored. The statistical design was completely randomized in a factorial 2 x 2 (two genotypes and two shifts). According to meteorological variables, the afternoon shift introduced itself with greater heat stress compared with the morning shift. The effect of interaction between genotypes and shifts for respiratory rate, rectal temperature, skin surface temperature, and hair coat surface temperature showed that genotypes exhibit different physiological behavior under similar heat stress situations. Heart rate had the effect of two sources of variation. As for the biophysical parameters, radiation and conduction exchanges in fleece presenting with the shift effect. Heat storage was slightly higher in Santa Inês ewes than in their crossbred Santa Inês-Dorper ewes. It was therefore concluded that crossbred ewes use physiological mechanisms more vigorously to perform heat exchanges, similar to Santa Inês ewes, which have become more adapted to a hot environment. (AU)

Biophysical responses of Santa Inês and crossbred Santa Inês-Dorper (F1) ewes to a hot environment

This study aimed to evaluate the biophysical responses of Santa Inês ewes and crossbred Santa Inês-Dorper ewes in a hot environment. Physiological parameters were measured: rectal temperature, respiratory rate, coat surface temperature, skin surface temperature, and heart rate. Biophysical parameters were also calculated: heat exchanges by cutaneous convection and radiation, as well as heat storage and thermal conduction in fleece. Throughout the collection period, meteorological variables were similarly monitored. The statistical design was completely randomized in a factorial 2 x 2 (two genotypes and two shifts). According to meteorological variables, the afternoon shift introduced itself with greater heat stress compared with the morning shift. The effect of interaction between genotypes and shifts for respiratory rate, rectal temperature, skin surface temperature, and hair coat surface temperature showed that genotypes exhibit different physiological behavior under similar heat stress situations. Heart rate had the effect of two sources of variation. As for the biophysical parameters, radiation and conduction exchanges in fleece presenting with the shift effect. Heat storage was slightly higher in Santa Inês ewes than in their crossbred Santa Inês-Dorper ewes. It was therefore concluded that crossbred ewes use physiological mechanisms more vigorously to perform heat exchanges, similar to Santa Inês ewes, which have become more adapted to a hot environment.