Eating behavior and forage intake of mixed-breed cattle (Gir x Borgou) complemented with sorghum brewer’s at Panicum maximum C1 grazing in Northern Benin

Abstract

Understanding of herbivorous eating behavior on pasture bid interest for breeding and environment. Therefore the objective of the study was aimed to study eating behavior of mixed cattle (Gir x Borgou) on Panicum maximum C1 in North Benin. Twelve young bulls and twelve suckler cows are respectively distributed in three lots of four animals each. All lots graze the Panicum maximum C1. Lot 1 received no dietary complement. Lots 2 and 3 of young bulls received respectively 1 and 1.5 kg of sorghum brewer’s each evening while lots 2 and 3 of suckler cows received 1 and 2 kg respectively. Activities carried out by these grazing animals are observed during grazing. Ingesting on pasture is estimated by the method of harvesting fodder in the manner of the animal (hand plucking). One-way analysis of variance was done. The differences between the mean values were compared by Fisher’s test. In young bulls, grazing occupied respectively 67.7; 62.99 and 62.05% of time spent grazing. These differences are significant (P<0.05) between the complemented lots and the control. Resting/rumination occupied respectively 7.88; 13.17 and 12.94%. These differences are significant (P<0.05) between the complemented lots and the control. As for the displacement, it is identical and amounts to 17.05%. Watering occupied 5.88% in all lots. On the suckler cow’s side, grazing occupied 67.94; 64.70 and 63.52% of time grazing. These differences are significant (P<0.05) between the complemented lots and the control. Resting/rumination occupied respectively 8.54; 11.77 and 12.96 %. These differences are significant (P<0.05) between the complemented lots and the control. Displacement and drinking accounted for 17.64 and 5.88% respectively in all lots. On average the cattle of the lot 1 ingested more than those in complemented lots, and the higher the complemented, the fewer cattle graze. These are fundamental data for the implementation of feeding plans for these mixed-breed cattle.