Abstract

PEREZ, E; SOCA, Mildrey; DIAZ, L  and  CORZO, M. Ethological performance of cattle in silvopastoral systems of Chiapas, Mexico. Pastos y Forrajes [online]. 2008, vol.31, n.2, pp.1-1. ISSN 0864-0394.

In the San Antonio Agricultural Center of Training and Sustainable Development, in the Chiapa de Corzo municipality, Chiapas State, Mexico, this study was developed with the objective of determining the effect of the use of forage trees on the ethological performance of cattle under intensive grazing conditions. Twelve young bulls wee used (Swiss x Zebu), with an average live weight of 157±3 kg, in a completely randomized design with two treatments (T1: Silvopastoral system) and T2: Monocrop system) and six repetitions. The herbaceous stratum was formed by Panicum maximum var. Tanzania, in both sites. Regarding the time the animals destined to the grazing activity, no significant differences were found between treatments. A lower temperature was observed during the morning and afternoon hours in the silvopastoral system (23,9 and 26,6 ºC), as compared to the monocrop system (26,4 and 28,1 ºC). Between the variables grazing and in situ temperature a negative correlation was found in both systems, but more remarkable in T2 (R=-0,41166-P=0,0003) than in T1 (R=-0,28453-P=0,0154). However, the growth rate showed significant differences (P<0,05) in favor of the silvopastoral system, with the best weight gains (486 g/animal/day), with regards to the animals under monocrop conditions (369 g/animal/day).

Keywords : Behavior; cattle; monocrop; silvopastoral systems.

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