The objective of this study was to evaluate milk production and ingestive behavior of Holstein cows and the structural characteristics of Mulato II, a hybrid Brachiaria grass CIAT 36087 (B. ruziziensis × B. decumbens × B. brizantha), and Marandu (Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu) pastures under rotational stocking. The experiment was conducted from December 2011 to April 2012 after 10 months of adaptation to the grazing management objectives (25 cm pre-grazing height and 15-20 cm post-grazing height). An area of 4 ha was divided into 28 paddocks: 14 with Mulato II pasture and 14 with Marandu pasture. The treatments consisted of the two grasses and a completely randomized design of the grazing variables with six repetitions each (paddock of evaluation) was used. For the animal variables, a randomized matched pairs design of 20 Holstein cows forming 10 blocks of two animals with similar production each was used. The forage mass or accumulation rate did not differ between grasses. Mulato II pastures had a higher tiller population density (822 tillers m −2 ) and crude protein content (143.5 g kg −1 ) than Marandu pastures (636 tillers m −2 and 130.3 g kg −1 crude protein). Cows kept on Mulato II exhibited shorter nighttime grazing activity (234 and 246 min in summer and autumn, respectively) than animals kept on Marandu (273 and 394 min, respectively). The average milk yield during the experimental period was higher for Mulato II (15.3 kg cow −1 day −1 ) compared with Marandu (14.3 kg cow −1 day −1 ). Both grasses have potential to be used in milk production systems for the grazing management objectives evaluated.
RESUMO: A pesquisa teve como objetivo avaliar a influência do sistema de resfriamento adiabático evaporativo (SRAE) sobre as variáveis comportamentais de novilhas leiteiras da raça Holandesa mantidas em confinamento. Foram utilizadas 12 novilhas, distribuídas em três tratamentos: 1) ventilação e SRAE por nebulização quando a temperatura atingia 25°C a qualquer umidade; 2) ventilação e SRAE por nebulização quando a temperatura atingia 25°C com umidade relativa menor ou igual a 70% e, 3 sem sistema de resfriamento. O delineamento experimental consistiu em um retângulo latino repetido duas vezes. As variáveis ambientais (temperatura do bulbo seco, temperatura do globo negro e umidade relativa foram coletadas diariamente, num intervalo de 15 minutos, através de dataloggers, durante todo o experimento. Na análise comportamental foram observadas as posturas (em pé e deitada), as atividades realizadas pelos animais e os locais em que se encontravam na baia, em intervalos de 15 minutos. Contudo, observou-se que não houve diferença nas variáveis comportamentais dos animais entre os tratamentos.Palavras-chaves: comportamento, estresse calórico, índices ambientais, nebulização e ventilação. BEHAVIORAL RESPONSES OF CONFINED DAIRY HEIFERS TO THE EVAPORATIVE COOLING SYSTEMABSTRACT: The research aimed to evaluate the influence of evaporative cooling system (AECS) on the behavioral variables of Holstein dairy heifers kept in confinement. Twelve heifers were used, divided into three treatments: 1) ventilation and fogging by AECS when the temperature reached 25 ° C at any humidity, 2) ventilation and fogging by AECS when the temperature reached 25 ° C with relative humidity less than or equal to 70% and, 3 without cooling system. The experimental design consisted of a latin rectangle repeated twice. The environmental variables (dry bulb temperature), black globe temperature and relative humidity were collected daily through dataloggers throughout the experiment. In behavioral analysis were observed postures (standing and lying), the activities of the animals and the places where they were in the pen, in 15 minute intervals. However, there was no difference in the behavioral variables of animals between treatments.
In the context of the science of animal welfare, the rearing system of sows is an especially significant subject, as the great majority of these animals is kept in isolation. The purpose of this paper is to present the main points connected with the rearing system of gestating sows, focusing on the importance of aspects related to the social and physical environment provided to this kind of animal. The isolation in cages undoubtedly has negative impacts on fundamental requisites for animal welfare. On the other hand, group housing has the disadvantage of causing aggressiveness in such animals. Research information shows that bioclimatic, behavioral and physical aspects of the environment are important in defining the welfare of gestating sows. Furthermore, it is important to devise rearing system alternatives which combine group housing and techniques to reduce aggressiveness, such as environmental enrichment, by using elements like straw or other types of bedding.
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