Comportamento ingestivo de vacas lactantes em pastagens de Panicum Maximum cv. Tanzânia suplementadas com níveis crescentes de concentrado

Abstract

The objective was to evaluate the ingestive behavior of lactating cows submitted to the supply of concentrate (0; 2.0; 4.0 and 6.0 kg of MN/cow/day) in pastures of Panicum maximum cv Tanzânia. Twelve crossbred HolsteinxZebu cows with an average daily production of 15 kg of milk were used, kept on pastures of Panicum maximum cv Tanzânia grass, distributed in three 4 x 4 Latin squares, balanced according to milk production and lactation period. The ingestive behavior was evaluated in the period of 24 hours. The increasing supply of concentrate linearly increased (P<0.05) dry matter intake (g/day), efficiency of dry matter intake, rumination and idle times, number of chews per day and number of cakes per day/hour (P<0.05). However, there was a linear reduction (P<0.05) in grazing time, number of bites, total chewing time, NDF consumption, feeding times (min/kg DM) and rumination time (min/kg NDF). It is concluded that the increasing supply of concentrated feed in the diet of lactating cows, up to 6kg, in grazing production systems, increases DM intake, nutrient intake efficiency and reduces grazing time, positively altering the variables associated with animal behavior.