The feeding behavior of dairy cattle under tropical heat stress conditions at smallholder urban farming

Abstract

Abstract. Despal, Faresty C, Zahera R, Toharmat R. 2022. Title The feeding behavior of dairy cattle under tropical heat stress conditions at smallholder urban farming. Biodiversitas 23: 3771-3777. Dairy cattle (Bos taurus) feeding behavior influences feed intake and affect animal welfare and disease management. This study observed dairy cattle feeding behaviors under tropical smallholder urban farming environments. Thirty-six cattle at the Kebon Pedes area of Bogor City were observed during 12 h feeding (6 am-6 pm). These traits included eating, ruminating, resting duration, and frequencies, measured using a continuous method. Temperature, humidity, temperature-humidity index (THI), feed and nutrient intake, milk production, and components were measured. The results showed that the cattle were in mild to severe heat stress. The average cow daily eating, ruminating, and resting frequencies were 6.61, 7.61, and 22.33 times, while the average eating, ruminating, and resting durations per cow per 12 h were 129.64, 105.67, and 484.69 minutes, respectively. The dry matter intake was 11.17 kg with a roughage to concentrate ratio of 0.73:1. The protein, ash, ether extract, and crude fiber intake were 10.25, 6.62, 3.67, and 22.08% DM, respectively. The average milk productions and fat contents were 11.01 L/head/d and 5.44%. The results showed that eating and ruminating levels correlated positively with feed, and CF intakes while resting correlated negatively. It was concluded that the cattle were in heat-stressed (THI of >78) condition, reduced DM intake, and deficient in energy and CP, which led to lower milk production but higher milk components, specifically milk fat. It is recommended to improve forage quality that promotes eating and ruminating and reduces resting durations, improving milk production.

Evaluation of feed quality for sustainable production and quality of buffalo milk in Siborong-Borong farm

“…Forage content in this study was not classified as good quality forage. This is in accordance with Despal [11] which stated that the forage group low-quality ones have a crude protein content of <4% whereas Medium quality forages have a crude protein content of 5-10%, and high-quality forages have crude protein content> 10% based on dry matter. The ration with tofu waste with 19.07% protein can producing of milk up to 7.16±0.38 L/head/day [2].…”

“…Obtained data presented descriptively with tables based on the number of samples identified positive for Escherichia coli. Testing for nutrient content such as protein was carried out using the Kjeldahl method while for testing fat content using the Soxhlet method [9][10][11].…”

“…On the other hand, the provision of inadequate rations balanced as many traditional breeders do today will cause livestock to be deficient in certain nutrients and excess nutrients other. Lack of these nutrients will cause livestock performance suboptimal [11]. As milk-producing livestock, the main nutrient requirement for buffalo is the need for milk production.…”

“…Giving a lot of forage will cause levels of milk fat to be high. High-concentrate feed results in lower milk fat content [11]. In addition, it is also influenced by the nutritional content in the feed.…”

Evaluation of the temperature and humidity index to support the implementation of a rearing system for ruminants in the Western Amazon

“…In this context, climatic conditions can cause physiological and behavioral responses. For example, when temperature and humidity indices are high (THI above 72), they trigger thermal stress that causes changes in the biological functions of these animals (4)(5)(6), such as alterations in food intake, changes in enzymatic reactions, hormonal secretions, and immune status, which can impact productivity indices (7)(8)(9)(10).…”