The behaviour of cattle in a Silvopastoral System and Open Pasture System.

Abstract

In these days there is a demand for fair cattle production systems. One alternative cattle production system is the Silvopastoral system, which combines forestry, forage and livestock production on the same terrain. The great benefit for the cattle is the protection of trees against extreme weather conditions. The objective of this study was to determine if there was a difference in time spent of the four major behaviours of cattle – grazing, lying, standing and walking – in a Silvopastoral system and in the Open Pasture in the region of Florida, Uruguay. Four herds of beef cattle, were divided over the two different production systems. Paddocks were divided in different zones to analyse the preference of the cattle. Data was collected during 4 weeks, by observing the herds in three observation sessions of two hours starting at 8:00 am. and finishing at 18:00 pm. A daily pattern was shown in every paddock and one difference in standing and lying behaviour was observed around midday between the two production systems. It seems to suggest that trees do interfere with the cows behaviour.