Patch choice by cattle grazing tropical grass swards: A preliminary study

Hirata, Masahiko; Kanemaru, Emi; Tobisa, Manabu

doi:10.1016/j.applanim.2005.07.007

Cited by 18 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…This does not exclude the possibility that cows responded to daily changes in the relative CP concentrations across the two swards; however, we did not measure daily changes in herbage quality during the monthly grazing periods. Thus, our results agree in part with the previous finding that the preference of cattle grazing on tropical grass swards increased for a specific patch (high, medium, or low availability) as the relative CP concentration and the relative sward bulk density of that patch increased over the alternative (Hirata et al 2006a). However, the regression analysis showed that the cows preferred centipedegrass to bahiagrass even when the two swards provided equal CP concentrations (Fig.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

“…Consequently, more information is necessary on feeding location choice on tropical grassland species for further advancement of our understanding of the vegetation-herbivore interface in grazing systems. Hirata et al (2006a) investigated patch choice by cattle grazing on tropical grass swards, under experimental conditions where the animals were offered alternative patches differing in availability and quality. The preference of these animals for the patches was explained largely (R 2 = 0.76) by the relative crude protein (CP) concentration of the patches; a quality measure that has not been widely identified in previous studies on temperate forages Ganskopp et al 1997;Bergman et al 2001;Garcia et al 2003;.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Selection of feeding areas by cattle in a spatially heterogeneous environment: selection between two tropical grasses

Hirata

Sakou

Terayama

et al. 2007

J Ethol

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A herd of 28-33 Japanese Black cows (Bos taurus) were allowed to graze on an experimental plot comprising monoculture swards of centipedegrass (Eremochloa ophiuroides) and bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum) (0.39 and 0.61 ha, respectively) for 3-5 days each month (from 0850 to 1600 hours) between May (late spring) and October (mid-autumn). On a monthly basis, the animals showed an increasing trend to select centipedegrass in preference to bahiagrass as the relative crude protein (CP) concentration of the former increased relative to the latter. On a daily basis, the animals showed a decreased selectivity for centipedegrass with the progression of grazing days, as centipedegrass sward lost both quantity and quality faster than bahiagrass sward under higher degrees of defoliation. Animals maintained similar bite rates on the two swards by modifying feeding station behavior as soon as they switched between the swards, i.e., they increased the number of bites per feeding station and decreased the number of feeding stations selected per unit grazing time soon after switching to centipedegrass, with the reverse process occurring soon after the switch to bahiagrass. The results show CP concentration to be a partial forage factor influencing animals' choice between tropical grasses growing as patches. The results also demonstrate that animals have an ability to adapt their foraging behavior flexibly and rapidly to varying types of vegetation.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Selection of feeding areas by cattle in a spatially heterogeneous environment: selection between two tropical grasses

Hirata

Sakou

Terayama

et al. 2007

J Ethol

Self Cite

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“…Additionally, sward bulk density may be perceived as a reward and thereby select patches having higher levels of sward density (Hirata et al 2006) which may reflect the association of this vegetation characteristic with the rate of DM intake by animals (e.g., Black and Kenney 1984).…”

Section: Plant Factors Driving Bite Mass Differencesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Use of a micro-sward technique for determining bite mass of four grass species in short-term tests

et al. 2009

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Four grass species typically found in semi-natural pastures in the UK were sown individually in boxes (85 9 44 9 14 cm) to create microswards. Yorkshire fog (Holcus lanatus L.); creeping bent (Agrostis stolonifera L. cv Kromi); rough meadow-grass (Poa trivialis L.); and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L. cv Glen) were offered to yearling Simmental 9 Holstein steers in short-term tests to characterize bite mass in relation to morphological traits of the grass species. Boxes were weighed (±0.

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“…Bergman et al, 2001;Van der Wal et al, 2000; ungulates choose and use vegetation patches. These studies have reported intake of dry matter (DM) (Distel et al, 1995;Illius et al, 1999), digestible energy and/or protein (Hirata et al, 2006; Contents lists available at SciVerse ScienceDirect journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/livsci Livestock Science as a currency (reward) for animals selecting patches. However, there are some aspects that remain relatively unexplored in previous studies.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Distel et al, 1995;Hirata et al, 2006;Illius et al, 1999) and wild (e.g. Bergman et al, 2001;Van der Wal et al, 2000; ungulates choose and use vegetation patches.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%