title: Comparison of protein and energy supplementation to mineral supplementation on feeding behavior of grazing cattle during the rainy to the dry season transition.
abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of protein-energy or mineral supplementation on the ingestive behavior of dairy steers on pasture in the post-weaning phase during the rainy to dry season transition. Twenty-two ½ Holstein-Zebu dairy steers with an average initial body weight of 234 ± 16 kg were distributed into a completely randomized design into two groups: protein-energy supplementation and mineral supplementation offered ad libitum. The steers receiving protein-energy supplementation showed higher (P < 0.05) intake of dry matter (DM) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) than those fed diets composed of mineral salt only. In addition, the animals that received protein-energy supplementation had longer period in grazing and spent on average more time per period eating at the trough (P < 0.05), however no significant differences were observed in the time per period in rumination and time per period in idle (P > 0.05). The supply of protein-energy supplement does not change the feeding behavior, except for an increase in the time spent feeding at the trough. The intake of protein-energy supplement improved the of DM and NDF feed efficiencies in grazing cattle during the rainy to the dry season transition.
authors.affiliation: Southwest Bahia State University-UESB, Itapetinga, Bahia Brazil.
authors.forename: Rita Kelly Couto
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Brandão
authors.affiliation: Federal University of Bahia-UFBA, Salvador, Bahia Brazil.
authors.forename: Gleidson Giordano Pinto
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: de Carvalho
authors.affiliation: Southwest Bahia State University-UESB, Itapetinga, Bahia Brazil.
authors.forename: Robério Rodrigues
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: Southwest Bahia State University-UESB, Itapetinga, Bahia Brazil.
authors.forename: Daniel Lucas Santos
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Dias
authors.affiliation: Southwest Bahia State University-UESB, Itapetinga, Bahia Brazil.
authors.forename: Fabrício Bacelar Lima
authors.initials: FB
authors.lastname: Mendes
authors.affiliation: Southwest Bahia State University-UESB, Itapetinga, Bahia Brazil.
authors.forename: Túlio Otávio Jardim D'Almeida
authors.initials: TO
authors.lastname: Lins
authors.affiliation: Southwest Bahia State University-UESB, Itapetinga, Bahia Brazil.
authors.forename: George Abreu
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Filho
authors.affiliation: Southwest Bahia State University-UESB, Itapetinga, Bahia Brazil.
authors.forename: Sinvaldo Oliveira
authors.initials: SO
authors.lastname: de Souza
authors.affiliation: Southwest Bahia State University-UESB, Itapetinga, Bahia Brazil.
authors.forename: Daniele Soares
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Barroso
authors.affiliation: Federal University of Bahia-UFBA, Salvador, Bahia Brazil.
authors.forename: Luana Marta
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: de Almeida Rufino
authors.affiliation: Federal University of Bahia-UFBA, Salvador, Bahia Brazil.
authors.forename: Manuela Silva Libânio
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Tosto
keywords: Bite; Efficiency; Pasture; Rumination