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The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of quantitative feed restriction level on nutrient intake and digestibility, nitrogen balance, efficiency and feeding behavior, and productive performance of F1 Holstein × Zebu cows in late lactation. Sixty F1 Holstein × Zebu cows were used at the stage of late lactation (183.0±17.5 days of lactation) and with initial body weight (BW) of 499±30 kg. The experimental arrangement adopted was the completely randomized design, with five feed restriction levels (3.39, 2.75, 2.50, 2.25, and 2.00% of BW) and twelve cows as replicates for each treatment. The roughage:concentrate ratio was of 75:25 in the total dry matter of the diet. The restriction of dietary supply from 3.39 to 2.0% of BW linearly reduced dry matter intake by 51.74%. The restriction in diet supply linearly increased dry matter digestibility in 13.76%. For each 1% BW restriction in the diet supply for the animals, there was a linear reduction of 3 h in feeding time. Restriction in diet supply of crossbred cows from 3.39 to 2.0% of BW reduced milk production by 24.84%. For each 1% restriction on supply, 2.17 L of milk were not produced. Milk production corrected to 3.5% fat was not altered with the feed restriction. Final BW decreased 41 kg for each percentage unit of diet restriction. Feed efficiency increased 28.72% with feed restriction. For F1 Holstein × Zebu cows in the late lactation, the restriction of dietary supply up to 2.0% of body weight decreases nutrient intake, nitrogen balance, rumination time, and milk production; however, it improves nutrient digestibility and feed efficiency of the animals.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the different lactation stages of F1 Holstein x Zebu cows on intake and digestibility of nutrients, nitrogen use efficiency, feeding behavior and performance. Thirty-six F1 Holstein × Zebu cows with initial body weight (BW) of 482±43kg were used. The early, mid and late lactation stages were characterized after 50±13, 111.5±11.75 and 183.0±17.5 days in milk, respectively. A completely randomized design with three lactation stages and 12 cows in each treatment group was used. Dry matter intake (P=0.01) was higher in late lactation. Milk yield (P<0.01) was 24.17% higher in early lactation than in other stages. Body weight was lowest in mid-lactation cows (465.63kg; P<0.01). The feed efficiency was 23.36% higher in early lactation than in other stages (0.82kg of milk/kg of DM). F1 Holstein x Zebu cows have increased dry matter intake in late lactation. Milk yield and feed efficiency in early lactation were benefited by changes in feeding behavior, such as increased rumination time.

ABSTRACT. This study evaluated the feeding behavior of F1 Holstein x Zebu cows fed increasing levels of banana peel. Diets contained 0, 15, 30, 45 and 60% replacement of sorghum silage with banana peel. The experimental design was two 5x5 Latin squares. Cows were subjected to visual observation after adaptation of each trial period. The times spent in feeding (4.13 to 5.58 hours day -1 ) and in idle (10 to 12.53 hours day -1 ) presented quadratic effect. The time spent ruminating, number and duration of rumination periods, chews per cud, and numbers of cuds per day were not affected by treatments. The total chewing time showed a quadratic effect, with peak at 18.58% replacement. The banana peel levels did not affect consumption, rumination and chewing neutral detergent fiber. Intake, rumination and chewing of dry matter showed a decreasing linear effect. The replacement of sorghum silage with banana peel up to 60% in the diet for lactating cows reduces the time spent in feeding and improves feeding and rumination efficiencies of dry matter, keeping the milk production of cows.Keywords: banana plantations, co-product, ethology, animal nutrition.Comportamento ingestivo de vacas F1 Holandesas x Zebu em lactação alimentadas com crescentes níveis de casca de banana RESUMO. Este trabalho foi realizado para avaliar o comportamento ingestivo de vacas F1 Holandesas x Zebu alimentadas com crescentes níveis de casca de banana. As dietas foram constituídas de 0, 15, 30, 45 e 60% de substituição da silagem de sorgo pela casca. O delineamento experimental foi dois quadrados latinos 5 x 5. As vacas foram submetidas à observação visual após período de adaptação de cada período experimental. Os tempos despendidos com alimentação (4,13 a 5,58 horas dia -1 ) e ócio (10 a 12,53 horas dia -1 ) apresentaram efeito quadrático. O tempo gasto com ruminação, número e duração dos períodos de ruminação, mastigações por bolo e bolos ruminados por dia não foram influenciados pelos níveis de casca. O tempo total de mastigação apresentou efeito quadrático, com ponto máximo no nível de 18,58%. Os níveis de casca de banana não influenciaram consumo, ruminação nem mastigação da fibra em detergente neutro. Consumo, ruminação e mastigação da matéria seca apresentaram efeito linear decrescente. A substituição da silagem de sorgo em até 60% por casca de banana na dieta de vacas em lactação reduz o tempo de alimentação e melhora as eficiências de alimentação e ruminação da matéria seca, mantendo a produção de leite das vacas.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of forage palm combined with different forages in the diet of F1 Holstein x Zebu cows, on the quality of Minas Frescal cheese. Two simultaneous 4 x 4 Latin squares were used in the experimental design. The treatments consisted of sorghum silage as the sole forage source; replacement of 50% sorghum silage by forage palm; elephant grass as the only forage source; 50% replacement of elephant grass by forage palm. Milk samples from each cow were analyzed for the chemical composition and the milk was pasteurized for cheese production. The gross and adjusted yields, texture, chemical and sensorial characteristics and fatty acid profile were evaluated. The chemical composition of the cheese was not influenced by the diets, as well as the sum of saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids. However, a lower stearic acid content was found in cheese from the milk of cows fed grass with forage palm and a lower value of conjugated linoleic acid for the diet with silage alone. In the consumer preference ranking test, the most preferred cheese was that of the sorghum silage diet and the least preferred was that of the sorghum silage/forage palm diet. In the overall impression, higher scores were assigned to cheeses of the treatments with exclusive silage or elephant grass. The replacement of 50% sorghum silage or elephant grass by the forage palm did not change the chemical composition of the Minas Frescal cheese, however, it modified the profile of fatty acids and decreased the acceptance and preference of cheese by the consumers.