This Research Communication set out to (1) evaluate the behaviour and performance of dairy calves raised on pasture individually or in groups, and (2) evaluate the influence of physical enrichment on the behaviour and performance of dairy calves raised in groups on pasture. Although there was no difference in grazing behaviour when housed in groups, calves spent longer eating concentrate, ruminating and drinking water. Additionaly, calves housed individually spend part of their time trying to get close to a neighbouring calf.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis study aimed to evaluate the effects of early group housing on the performance, health, and behavior of dairy calves during the pre-weaning period using systematic and meta-analysis approaches. Peer-reviewed articles written in English that compared dairy calves individually and group-housed with performance, health, or behavior outcomes were collected from Web of Science, PubMed and CabDirect databases. The resulting articles (n = 850) underwent a PRISMA 4-step appraisal process, resulting in a final sample of 51 articles containing 85 studies.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIn this study, we evaluate the effects of intercropping pigeon pea ( (L.) Millsp.) with tropical pastures for feeding Nellore cattle and compared animal performance and enteric CH emissions with other pasture-based systems during the dry and rainy seasons of 2021.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBrazilian cattle production is mostly carried out in pastures, and the need to mitigate the livestock's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and its environmental footprint has become an important requirement. The adoption of well-suited breeds and the intensification of pasture-based livestock production systems are alternatives to optimize the sector's land use. However, further research on tropical systems is necessary.
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