Resumen

CAMACARO, Selina; BALDIZAN, Alfredo  y  MARIN, Carlos. Characterization of Feeding Sites of Grazing Cattle on Heterogeneous Community at Cojedes State, Venezuela. Rev. Fac. Cienc. Vet. [online]. 2016, vol.57, n.1, pp.32-42. ISSN 0258-6576.

A study was conducted to characterize the feeding sites of grazing cattle on savannas and forests communities of Cojedes state. Each animal was observed once a day, while its consumption lasted and its route (Animal transect, TAn), the nearest surroundings (Control transect, TC), and the landscape in general (Random transect, TA) were marked for characterization. Evaluations were made for 3 consecutive days every 3 weeks for 2 years. It was evaluated on each TAn and feeding site: number of total species, number of selected species, height of pasture, coverage, consumption height and consumed parts, taxonomical and functional identification of plants; and on both TC and TA, only the number of total species, the number of total species only. Variables were analyzed through an ANOVA with year, period, and community as sources of variation. The results showed significant differences (P<0.05) on TAn for all assessed variables, except for the selected species. The feeding sites, the surroundings, and the landscape in general, were more diverse during the first year, which seems to be decisive in the distances walked by animals. Landscape heterogeneity had an effect on patterns of selection distribution of animals. Animals consumed 38 species, of which 66% belonged to the functional types of plants (FTP) Caespiticulmi (21%), Nothopluviiarbore (18%), Tropoarbore (16%), and Teroculmi (11%), while the rest (34%) was distributed in 10 different FTP, with a predominance of herbaceous types (Fasciculmi, Teroherbae, Herbae, Herbolianae aestivae, and H. perennae). Consumption of trees species was observed. It is concluded that the detailed characterization of animal´s feeding sites and their surroundings, allows information for defining strategies for sustainable management and planning of grazing on highly heterogeneous areas. Results show spatial and temporal variations in species selectivity.

Palabras clave : Animal feeding; cattle; grazing; breeds Brahman; cover; environment; animal histology; Cojedes.

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