Efecto de la cobertura arbórea sobre el comportamiento animal en fincas ganaderas de doble propósito en Matiguás, Matagalpa, Nicaragua
Archivos
Fecha
2003
Autores
Betancourt , Katty
Ibrahim, Muhammad
Harvey, Celia A.
Vargas Leitón, Bernardo
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Editor
CATTIE / IICA
Resumen
Se evaluó el efecto de la sombra sobre el comportamiento animal.
Se midió el comportamiento (pastoreo, ramoneo, rumia y descanso) de quince vacas bajo alta (22-30%) y baja (0-7%) cobertura arbórea. No se encontraron diferencias significativas para la actividad de ramoneo. Se encontraron diferencias estadísticas significativas en la actividad de pastoreo (P <0,001) en el tratamiento de cobertura alta comparado con el de cobertura baja. El porcentaje de tiempo dedicado a la rumia y descanso resultó significativamente mayor para las vacas en los potreros con cobertura baja (P <0,01 y P <0,01, respectivamente). Se encontraron diferencias significativas (P <0,05) entre la cobertura arbórea alta y la baja para la producción de leche, siendo la primera un 29% mayor. Las temperaturas ambientales resultaron significativamente diferentes (P<0,01 y P <0,01 con circulación de aire y sin ella, respectivamente) solo entre las horas de medición (mañana y tarde). Se encontraron
diferencias significativas en la temperatura rectal (P <0,01) con respecto a la hora del día, siendo más elevada durante la tarde que durante la mañana, independientemente del tipo de cobertura. Se
concluye que con una cobertura arbórea de entre 20 y 32% se incrementa el período que los animales dedican al consumo (pastoreo y ramoneo) y se incrementa la producción de leche en la época seca.
The effect of shade on animal behavior was evaluated. The behavior of fifteen cows (grazing, browsing, ruminating and resting) was measured under a high (22-30%) and low (0-7%) tree cover. No significant differences were found in browsing activity. The time spent on grazing was significantly greater (P <0.0001) for cows in pastures with high tree cover. The percentage of time dedicated to ruminating and resting was significantly higher (P<0.01 and P<0.01, respectively) for cows in pastures with low tree cover. There were statistical differences (P <0.0001) between the treatments regarding milk production, with production being 29% greater in pastures with high tree cover than in pastures with low tree cover. There were significant differences in ambient temperatures (P <0.01 and P <0.01 with and without circulation of air, respectively) only between times of measurement (morning and evening). Significant differences in rectal temperature were found (P <0.01), as was an interaction of cows within treatments (P<0.01). These results show that in pastures with a tree cover of 20 to 32%, the animals spent more time feeding and, therefore, shade increases milk production during the dry season.
The effect of shade on animal behavior was evaluated. The behavior of fifteen cows (grazing, browsing, ruminating and resting) was measured under a high (22-30%) and low (0-7%) tree cover. No significant differences were found in browsing activity. The time spent on grazing was significantly greater (P <0.0001) for cows in pastures with high tree cover. The percentage of time dedicated to ruminating and resting was significantly higher (P<0.01 and P<0.01, respectively) for cows in pastures with low tree cover. There were statistical differences (P <0.0001) between the treatments regarding milk production, with production being 29% greater in pastures with high tree cover than in pastures with low tree cover. There were significant differences in ambient temperatures (P <0.01 and P <0.01 with and without circulation of air, respectively) only between times of measurement (morning and evening). Significant differences in rectal temperature were found (P <0.01), as was an interaction of cows within treatments (P<0.01). These results show that in pastures with a tree cover of 20 to 32%, the animals spent more time feeding and, therefore, shade increases milk production during the dry season.
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Palabras clave
ÁRBOLES DE SOMBRA, NICARAGUA, COMPORTAMIENTO ANIMAL, FINCAS, PRODUCCIÓN LECHERA, SHADE TREES, ANIMAL BEHAVIOR, ESTATES, DAIRY PRODUCTION