Ingestive behavior and infrared thermography of Holstein × Zebu crossbreed cows in the final third of gestation in different pastoral environments

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the ingestive behavior and body surface temperature of F1 Holstein × Zebu cows that were non-lactating in the final third of gestation and managed in two pastoral environments. Forty F1 Holstein × Zebu cows divided into two pastoral environments were evaluated: signal grass (Urochloa decumbens cv. Basilisk) deferred at the beginning of regrowth and pasture of xaraés grass (Urochloa brizantha cv. Xaraés) in vegetative growth in four periods during the day (morning, afternoon, night and dawn), following the completely randomized design in a factorial scheme. Each cow is the experimental unit. The total grazing time was 32.22% higher in the signal grass than xaraés grass (average of 479.50 minutes). There was an interaction between the pastoral environments and the times of day on the black globe temperature and humidity index (BGHI). In the pasture of signal grass, the BGHI was 19.07% higher in the morning and afternoon periods than the average (68.95) verified during the night and dawn. F1 Holstein × Zebu cows grazing time in the final third of gestation is influenced by the pasture condition and not by the climate since they feed in a high BGHI environment.