Presentation Details
| GRAZING DYNAMICS: BITE STRUCTURE AND BIOENERGETIC IMPACTS ON THE PERFORMANCE OF BEEF CATTLE Taiane M.Cardoso. Instituto Federal Catarinense, Santa Rosa do Sul, Santa Catarina, Brazil |
Abstract
Productive efficiency in grazing systems depends on the interaction between canopy structure and ingestive ecology. This study analyzes the bite as the metric unit of consumption; the ease of forage prehension determines the average daily gain. Bite mass correlates with leaf blade density; management based on strict pre-grazing heights—the apex of leaf expansion and nutritional quality—is essential to the intake rate. In short-statured pastures, the animal increases searching time and step frequency across feeding stations. This behavior raises maintenance energy expenditure and diverts nutrients from tissue deposition, reducing biological performance. The difficulty in selecting high-digestibility components induces pre-ingestive fatigue and compromises rumination. It is concluded that inadequate post-grazing height management triggers a multivariate loss cycle: the animal operates in a negative energy balance due to harvesting effort, while insufficient residue compromises regrowth and accelerates system degradation. Maintaining a favorable bite structure is indispensable for the profitability and sustainability of beef production.
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No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author.
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