Activity Budgets and Forage Selection of Podolian Cattle, a Semiwild Bovine Breed

Abstract

This study aimed to describe the behaviour of Podolian breed, a semiwild cattle breed kept in a natural environment (as either a small group of young bulls or cows within a family herd), and the interaction of these animals with the environment in terms of ingestion from natural pastures. Diurnal grazing behavioural pattern was monitored through continuous focal animal recording method. The activity budget of free-ranging animals was characterized by high locomotor and feeding activities. They exhibited a high degree of adaptability to the local phytocoenosis with high levels of ferns' and tree foliage intakes performed by cows and the selection of a diet more nutritious than pasture performed by young bulls. These results along with the low levels of agonistic interactions recorded in the two experiments suggest that extensive systems based on grazing allow social stability and provide a natural environment for the expression of cattle species-specific behaviour.

Effect of Feeding Level and Breed on the Daily Activity Budget of Lactating Beef Cows Fed Total Mixed Ration

“…However, feeding time of cows fed at maintenance (1 × M) in this study was very similar to records in beef cows fed ad libitum a mixture of barley straw and barley silage (2.4 h/day for 11.6 kg DM/day) by Basarab et al [20], which means that feeding behaviour was not limited by the experimental procedures. In fact, the intake rate of the TMR in this study was in agreement with the intake rate of Italian Podolian free-range beef cows (84 g DM/min) [21].…”

Weather Regulated Cattle Behaviour on Rangeland

“…Positive correlation between daily walked distance and atmospheric pressure (r=0.389, P<0.05) was found, and also a promising association between metabolic-grazing behaviour and the dominant Peczely-front type on the next day (r= 0.445, p= 0.007) was revealed by data analysis. Daily walked distance never exceeded 8 km which is in accordance with other authors (Haraszti, 1977;Holmes, 1986;Brosh et al, 2010;Napolitano et al, 2011;Popp and Scheibe, 2014), and typical riverbank route and camping spots strengthen Gerrish's observation (Gerrish et al, 1997), that water proximity define pasture utilization and grazing distribution. We suppose that the examined meteorological factors take effect through the neuro-endocrine network.…”

Grass composition and distribution patterns as determinants of behavioral activities and weight accumulation of Nguni and Boran cattle post-relocation

“…In heterogeneous pastures such as native grassland, animals change the mechanisms of forage harvest and ingestion, keeping nutrient supply constant (12), and similar behavior may occur when animals have access to better quality pasture. In turn, pastures with higher fiber content cause the animal to reduce forage consumption (13). When it is possible for the animal to select a better diet quality, changes occur in patterns of ingestion and rumination of grazing animals (9).…”

“…When it is possible for the animal to select a better diet quality, changes occur in patterns of ingestion and rumination of grazing animals (9). For this reason, foraging behavior is one of the prominent activities in extensively reared cattle as it affords them a better opportunity to learn about their environment by searching for better quality forage, locating water sources (13,14), and engaging with their herd mates to build social relationships (15). For ruminants, grazing and ruminating activities are essential in nutrient capture and, ultimately, animal performance (16).…”

“…At the same time, high-producing cattle breeds like Simmental, Limousine, and others are experiencing difficulties to adapt to harsh environmental conditions with less available feed resources than their area of origin (13). Consequently, livestock ownership changes involving the relocation of cattle became a norm as farmers were forced to sell a portion of the stock to reduce drought-related financial and production losses (15).…”