Correlation between ingestive behaviour, intake and performance of grazing cattle supplemented with or without propolis extract (LLOS®)
Journal Title: Journal of Agricultural and Crop Research - Year 2014, Vol 2, Issue 1
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the correlations between ingestive behaviour and intake of grazing cattle supplemented with or without of propolis extract (LLOS®), during the rainy season. Thirty-two uncastrated crossbred steers (269 ± 4.92 kg) about 20 month-old were used in a completely randomized design with 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments, with 8 replicates. Two levels of supplementation were used (0.3 and 0.6% of body weight, DM basis), with or without the addition of LLOS®. In the treatments with LLOS®, the extract was added daily at 2 g/kg DM supplement. The significance of the correlation coefficient was tested using the "t" test at 5% probability. The parameters evaluated were: intake, ingestive behaviour and performance of animals. The time the animals spent eating at the trough showed a positive, but weak correlation with average daily gain (ADG). For the behavioral variables studied, only the time spent ruminating and eating at the trough showed a correlation with intake and performance. The time spent ruminating was negatively correlated with DMI, NDF intake (NDFI) and TDN intake (TDNI). The feed efficiencies of DM, CP, TCH and rumination efficiencies of DM, CP, NFC and TCH showed positive and moderate correlations with NDFI. There is a correlation between the intake of nutrients, DMI, performance, and animal behaviour, and monitoring animal behaviour can be of utmost importance for the understanding of metabolic and nutritional aspects related to cattle production, and can eliminate the need for the use of invasive tests that may be stressful to animals.
Authors and Affiliations
Silva A. L. N, de Carvalho G. G. P, da Silva F. F, Lins T. O. J. D. A, Zeoula L. M. , Franco S. L. , de Souza S. O, Pereira M. M. S, Barroso D. S
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP553489
- DOI -
- Views 224
- Downloads 0
Response of dry season garden egg (Solanium melongena) to watering regime and organic mulching levels in Okigwe, Southeastern Nigeria
Rain fed garden egg cultivation is dominant in the farming systems of Okigwe southeastern Nigeria. Farmers seldom cultivate garden egg during dry season in the study area due to low soil moisture. This study was therefor...
Management of Pectobacterium carotovorum infections in potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) using Tagetes minuta and Capsicum frutescens extracts
Potato experiences losses caused by Pectobacterium carotovorum, in the field and after harvest. The study was carried out to determine the use of Tagetes minuta and Capsicum frutescens extracts in the management of black...
Adoption of innovative cowpea production practices in a rural area of Katsina State, Nigeria
Adoption of agricultural technology is vital in improving crops output in developing countries. This article explores the extent of adoption of innovative cowpea production practices, developed by International Institute...
Quality and acceptability of inert-atmosphere-metal-silo stored paddy rice as food and planting material
Moisture content, mould growth, insect infestation, damage, seed and food utilizability of NERICA variety of Paddy rice from Baddegi were investigated during storage in inert-atmosphere-metal-silo at Nigerian Stored Prod...
Effects of socio-economic characteristics on savings among farmers in cooperative societies: Observations from Numan and Demsa Local Government Area of Adamawa State, Nigeria
The study examined the socio-economic effects of savings patterns among cooperative farmers in Numan and Demsa local Government Areas of Adamawa State, Nigeria. The study assessed the socio-economic characteristics of th...