An integrated methodology for studying short-term grazing behaviour of cattle

Grazing studies are hampered by difficulty in controlling the characteristics of that part of the sward encountered by animals. A methodology was developed to study the effects of sward height, density and spatial arrangement on bite dimensions, bite weight and instantaneous intake rate by cattle. Hand-constructed swards (HCS) consisted of tillers threaded through wooden modules and attached to a base board. The microphone of a cordless transmitter was attached to the forehead of steers before swards were grazed. HCS were bolted onto a force plate which recorded the forces exerted during grazing. Grazing sessions were videotaped. Height and density of swards were successfully controlled by hand-construction. Bite weight was determined more accurately by dry matter (DM) disappearance than by the reduction of fresh weight corrected for moisture loss and herbage DM content. Bite area and bite depth were precisely measured by counting and measuring the residual height of grazed plant parts. Bites and chews were identified and counted from the soundtrack of video tapes. Visual count of chews was inaccurate because animals can prehend new herbage and chew herbage previously gathered with the same jaw movement. Many jaw movements involve only manipulation of herbage without biting or chewing. Bite dimensions result from the physical interaction of relatively fixed motor patterns, such as tongue sweeps, with vegetation structure. Thus, bite dimensions measured by this technique are relevant to field situations.