1. Foraging Behavior of Criollo vs. Brahman × Criollo Crossbreds in the Bolivian Chaco: Case Study
- Author
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Daniel Soto, Svenja Marquardt, and Nelson Joaquin
- Subjects
0106 biological sciences ,Wet season ,Ecology ,Brahman ,Forage ,Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law ,Biology ,010603 evolutionary biology ,01 natural sciences ,boats ,Animal science ,boats.ship_class ,Grazing ,Dry season ,Criollo tobacco ,Criollo cattle ,Animal Science and Zoology ,010606 plant biology & botany ,Nature and Landscape Conservation ,Woody plant - Abstract
Diet selection and performance of Criollo Chaqueno and Brahman × Criollo Chaqueno were studied in three seasons in the dry forests of the Bolivian Chaco using direct observations. During the dry season (DS) and the rainy season (RS), the Criollo cattle diet consisted of a higher proportion (P 0.05) for the crossbreds. Other than for the Criollos, the body weight of the crossbreds decreased (P < 0.05) from the DS to the transition period. Especially during the DS, Criollos made more use of forage resources from shrubs and trees and thus, seem to be better adapted to year-round forest grazing compared with the crossbreds.
- Published
- 2018
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