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

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Abstract

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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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank Rie Fujii, Takeaki Koyakumaru, Eri Kunieda, Emi Kanemaru, and Yukihiro Nakayama for assistance in field measurements and Kiichi Fukuyama for pasture and animal management.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Grassland Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, 889-2192, Japan

    Masahiko Hirata, Asami Sakou, Yoshie Terayama, Miho Furuya & Tsuyoshi Nanba

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  1. Masahiko Hirata
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  2. Asami Sakou
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  3. Yoshie Terayama
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  4. Miho Furuya
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  5. Tsuyoshi Nanba
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Correspondence to Masahiko Hirata.

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Hirata, M., Sakou, A., Terayama, Y. et al. Selection of feeding areas by cattle in a spatially heterogeneous environment: selection between two tropical grasses. J Ethol 26, 327–338 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10164-007-0065-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10164-007-0065-9

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