Comportamento de vacas mestiças holandês x zebu, em pastagem de Brachiaria decumbens em sistema silvipastoril

Abstract

The behavior of Holtein x Zebu crossbreed cows was studied in silvipastoral system, taking in account the time spent by the cows in the stand up position, eating, ruminating or in inactivity, during the summer and winter times. Measures of the time spent by the cows at sunshine and under the shadow was also taken. Data from 32 cows, were collected every ten minutes, 12 hours a day (from 6 A.M. to 6 P.M.), in twelve days, six during the winter and six during the summer times. The data were analyzed through variance system and to multiple comparison among average it was used the t test of student, at the level of 5% of probability. During the winter, cows spent more time at sunshine than in summer time while in the summer the cows remained more time in the shadow mainly under the trees with big and dense crowns. The silvipastoral system should be considered as important tool for animal comfort in the tropical conditions.