Abstract

BARBOSA, C.M.P. et al. Components of lamb grazing process on ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum L.) under different intensities and methods. Arch. zootec. [online]. 2010, vol.59, n.225, pp.39-50. ISSN 1885-4494.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the components of lamb grazing process in ryegrass pastures (Lolium multiflorum Lam.). The treatments were two grazing intensities: moderate and low (forage suply: 2.5 and 5-fold the animal intake potential, respectively) in rotational and continuous stocking. The experimental design was a randomized complete block arranged in a factorial with three replicates (2 intensities x 2 methods x 3 replicates). There was no interaction among grazing intensities and methods, and its effects were analyzed separately. There was no difference of herbage allowance between grazing methods (p= 0.3393), and so, the basic conditions to compare all treatments were reached. Herbage mass during the experiment were: 3159 and 2327 kg of DM/ha for rotational and continuous stocking; and 1971 and 3514 kg of DM/ha for moderate and low grazing intensities, respectively. There was no significant differences for number of meals (M), meal duration (MD), inter meals intervals (IMI), duration of intervals (DI), grazing time (GT), ruminating time (RT) and idling time (IT) (p>0.1) for grazing methods. There was no statistical difference for RT, M, MD and IMI (p>0.1) regarding grazing intensities. DI, GT, IT, bite rate (BR) and time for feeding station (TFS) were affected by grazing intensity (p<0.1). Grazing methods affected just BR and TFS (p<0.1) due to the higher herbage mass under rotational stocking. The use of correct grazing intensities for the animals, more than the choice between grazing methods, is capital to built sustainable grazing environments aiming the production of high quality lambs.

Keywords : Foraging behaviour; Grazing time; Rumination.

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