Abstract

GONZALEZ PEREYRA, A.V et al. Effluent irrigation effect on grazing behaviour of dairy cows. InVet [online]. 2007, vol.9, n.1, pp.137-144. ISSN 1668-3498.

Rational management of dairy effluents is essential to avoid environmental pollution. Modification of organoleptics characteristics of forages irrigated with dairy effluents and its influence on animal behaviour, has not yet been studied. The aim of this study was to evaluate dairy cattle grazing behaviour on pastures irrigated with effluents, with different irrigation - grazing times in winter and summer. Four irrigation strategies were defined for summer and winter. Behaviour of two Holstein cows was recorded by scan sampling and differences between winter and summer behaviour were noted. It is not recommended to irrigate pastures with dairy effluents in winter season. Otherwise in summer season it is possible to irrigate pastures fifteen days before the entrance of the animals. It is recommended, though, to characterized the sanitary conditions of the effluent before irrigating grazing pastures.

Keywords : Effluent; Animal behaviour; Dairy cattle; Grazing.

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