It was studied performance, behavior and forage ingestion by beef heifers on pearl millet (Pennisetum americanum (L.) Leeke) and Alexander grass (Urochloa plantaginea) pastures from January to April 2008. The continuous grazing method with a variable number of animals was used. Forage ingestion was estimated during vegetative and reproductive stage of forage plants using chromic oxide as fecal production marker. Evaluations of behavior were carried out by visual observation in four 24-hour continuous periods. Mean values of forage mass, forage […]

The feeding behavior and dry forage intake of ewe lambs receiving different types of supplementation on pearl millet (Pennisetum americanum (L.) Leeke) pasture was evaluated. Twenty-four ewe lambs with 30.2 ± 2.6 kg mean initial body weight (BW), distributed in three feeding strategies: grazing on pearl millet pasture; grazing on pearl millet pasture supplemented with cassava meal; and GL – grazing on pearl millet pasture supplemented with corn gluten meal. Supplements were provided in the amount of 1% of BW. […]

Aiming to evaluate the influence of native pasture structure in the intake process of grazing ewes and calves, four sward heights (4, 8, 12 and 16 cm) were established. A completely randomized design with four treatments and two replicates in time and space was used. Bite mass and forage intake were estimated by the short-term weight changes technique, corrected for the rate of insensible weight loss, during a 45 minutes test. The grazing and mastication jaw movements were registered by […]

It was evaluated the ingestive behavior of lactating ewes and ewe lambs before and after weaning receiving different supplement levels (0; 0.5; 1.0, and 1.5% of body weight), grazing on a Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) pasture, under continuous variable stocking. The experimental design was completely randomized with repeated measures in time with four supplement levels and two replicates. The supplement utilized was a commercial ration, daily supplied at 2 p.m. It was evaluated the diurnal grazing time, rumination time, […]

The objective of this trial was to evaluate ingestive behaviour and performance of sheep grazing Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) pasture with different herbage mass (HM): low HM: 1,000 – 1,200 kg/ha of DM (LHM); medium HM: 1,400-1,600 kg/ha DM (MHM); high HM 1,800-2,000 kg/ha DM (HHM). A completely randomized design with three treatments and two replicates (paddocks) per treatment was used. Data were submitted to polynomial regression analysis in function of the actual HM observed in each experimental unit: […]

In order to evaluate the influence of tropical grass sward structure on the intake of grazing cattle, five sward heights (60, 80, 100, 120, and 140 cm) of Panicum maximum Jacq. were established, in a completely randomized design with two replications. Four black-and-white coat Holstein heifers, carrying feces and urine bags, were used in grazing tests of 45 minutes each. Number of bites and feeding time were registered by counters and chronometers. Total herbage mass consumed was obtained by double […]

The experiment was carried in INRA (Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique) at Theix, France. Two grasses (perennial ryegrass and tall fescue) were grown in sward boxes (0,13 m2) and submitted to three defoliation intervals (3,5, 7 and 14 days between two successive defoliation) and three defoliation intensities (160, 320 and 640 bites.m-2 at each defoliation). Four months after sowing, at defoliation date, sward boxes were offered to four individual dry ewes and removed after a given number of bites […]

The experiment was carried in INRA (Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique) at Theix, France. Two grasses (perennial ryegrass and tall fescue) were grown in sward boxes (0,13 m2), using three different sward horizontal distribution (pure, alternate rows and alternate strips) and three defoliation intervals (3,5, 7 and 14 days between two successive defoliation) with four replications. Four months after sowing, at defoliation date, sward boxes were offered to four individual dry ewes and removed after 340 bites.m-2 had been […]