Behavior and Ruminal Characteristics of Japanese Black Cattle Grazing in Forest of Young Tree Plantation and Native Grassland

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  • 幼齢造林地および野草地放牧黒毛和種牛の行動とルーメン内性状の特性

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Abstract

Three of Japanese Black female cattle were grazed in a young forest area of Chamaecyparis obtuse plantation (YF, June to September in 2003) and in a native grassland area (NG, October and November in 2003). Twenty-four hour behavioral observation of the cattle was conducted and a GPS was used to determine the distance traced by the cattle once a month during experimental period. The rumen fluid was collected twice in each area on early and late set-stocks. Grazing time averaged 537.7±109.8 min/day and was positively correlated with the rate of grazing Miscanthus sinensis (p<0.05) and negatively correlated with the rate of grazing Pleioblastus simonii (p<0.001). The rate of grazing M. sinensis was negatively correlated (p<0.05) with the rate spent grazing P. simonii and other plants (p<0.001) and positively correlated (p<0.05) with the rate of lying posture. The rate of grazing other plants was negatively correlated (p<0.05) with rumination time. Distance covered by cattle ranged from 5001m to 6879m through experimental period. Differences in total VFA were slight, however, differences in individual VFA's were seen with area as well as set-stock time. NH_<3^->N concentrations were higher in YF (6.4mg/dl and 7.2mg/dl) than in NG (4.5mg/dl and 4.3mg/dl). Total protozoa counts per ml decreased from 2.0×10^6 (early set-stock) to 3.0×10^5 (late set-stock) in YF, whereas in NG remained the same at 1.0×10^6. Entodinium was found in highest percentages in both areas. Total bacteria counts/ml was ranged from 1.4×10^7 to 8.2×10^8 and gram negative cocci and gram positive cocci bacteria were found in high percentages. In this study, it is shown that cattle is able to adapt to the young forest and native grassland by changing the behavior and selecting plants from the diverse vegetation.

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