Dietary Preference for Ruzi Grass versus Verano Stylo by Nursing Swamp Buffalo Cows

Abstract

The study on the dietary preference of lactating swamp buffalo cows grazing ruzi grass (Brachiaria ruziziensis) and verano stylo (Stylosanthes hamata) was undertaken at the Surin Livestock Research and Breeding Center, Surin Province from 27 November to 6 December 2011. Three groups of 3 cow-calf pairs grazed on three 3.4-rai plots containing conterminal monocultures of 50% ruzi grass and 50% verano stylo (by ground area). The cows were allowed onto their respective paddocks between 07.00 a.m. and 05.00 p.m. During the nighttime, the animals in each group were kept in a common corral with free access to fresh drinking water and mineral blocks. Buffalo behavior was scan sampled at 1-min intervals throughout the period in pasture. The diet selected by each of the 3 cows in each group was recorded by direct visual observation using scan sampling at 1-min intervals during a 3-day period. Buffalo cows spent the majority of time grazing (388 min). The mean times spent ruminating and wallowing were 140 and 78 min, respectively. The buffalo cows tended to eat stylo more than ruzi grass (p<0.10). The proportions of time spent grazing stylo and ruzi grass were 59.81 and 40.19, respectively. This indicated that during the daytime buffalo cows showed a partial preference for stylo. Further research is required if we are to understand longer-term studies of dietary preference.