Productive performance and ingestive behavior of crossbred heifers in integrated livestock-forest systems

ABSTRACT The present study aimed to assess the productive performance, ingestive behavior, and thermal condition of crossbred beef heifers in an integrated livestock-forest (ILF) system with different tree-planting designs. Seventy-two ½ Angus ½ Nellore heifers were divided in three treatments—conventional system (CS) without eucalyptus, integrated livestock system with 187 eucalyptus ha−1 (ILF-1L), and integrated livestock system with 446 eucalyptus ha−1 (ILF-3L)—, in the winter and summer. Total dry mass of forage (TDM), chemical analysis of Marandu palisadegrass, average daily gain (ADG), stocking rate (SR), weight gain per area (WGA), behavior, microclimatic variables, and thermal comfort indexes were evaluated. A higher percentage of crude protein and lower TDM and SR were observed in ILF-1L and ILF-3L, with no differences for ADG and WGA. Ambient temperature, temperature-humidity index, black globe-humidity index, and radiant heat load were better in ILF-1L and ILF-3L. Heifers in ILF-1L and ILF-3L carried out grazing, resting, rumination, and other activities in the shade. In the summer, heifers in ILF-1L and ILF-3L spent less time resting and more time in rumination and performing other activities than those in the CS. In conclusion, the better forage quality in ILF-1L and ILF-3L does not alter the performance of heifers or WGA, despite the decreased TDM and SR. Furthermore, ILF-1L and ILF-3L provide better thermal comfort, and heifers that do not have access to shade decrease their activities as a strategy to reduce the use of energy for thermal regulation process.