Walking Distance and Grazing Time of Holstein and Brown-Swiss Cows Grazing on Temperate Pasture

摘要

Walking distance and eating time of Holstein (HF) and Brown-Swiss (BS) cows on the temperate pasture were measured on two dairy farms (A and B) in June, August and October to compare the foraging activity using Global Positioning System (GPS) device and voice recorder. The cows on A farm were supplemented concentrate and corn silage about 43% of daily dry matter intake and the cows on B farm were supplemented concentrate about 23% of daily dry matter intake. The cows in both farms were grazed in daytime and night except for October in the A farm when the cows were kept in the barn during the night. There was no significant difference in walking distance between HF and BS in the A farm, however the walking distance of BS tended to be longer than HF in the B farm. Eating and ruminating time of the cows in the A farm did not differ between HF and BS. However, eating time of the cows in the B farm was higher in BS than in HF. These results suggest that foraging activity of dairy cows on the temperate pasture differ between HF and BS, and is also affected by amount of supplement.