Horário alternativo de ordenha: comportamento ingestivo, produção, qualidade do leite e viabilidade econômica

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the influence of milking time on ingestive behavior, production, milk quality, and economic viability of pasture production system. The experiment was conducted on Saveluma Farm in Santo Antônio de Jesus, Bahia, from May 1st to June 17th, 2010. It happened in 48 days, divided into four experimental periods of 12 days each. It was implemented in an area of 6 ha, which consists of Brachiaria decumbens pasture.The animals were divided into two groups that alternated the treatments. The treatments were: traditional milking schedule (05:30 a.m.) and an alternative one (08:00 a.m.). The yields were similar (P>0.05) among treatments. The milk quality was not influenced (P>0.05) by milking performed at different times. Cost of production were influenced (P<0.05) by treatments, being lower on alternative treatment. Time spent with feeding, rumination and other activities were not affected (P>0.05) by treatments. However, there was significant effect (P<0.05) for the number of rumination periods, being higher on traditional treatment. The number of bites per minute was different (P<0.05), being fewer on the alternative treatment. Alternative milking time did not affect neither production, milk composition nor spending time with behavior activities. However, it influenced the cost of production.