Priscila Junia Rodrigues da Cruz

Dr. Priscila Junia Rodrigues da Cruz


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

4Years (2023-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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28 October 2023 in Animals
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Igor Lima BretasIgor Lima Bretas
Igor Lima Bretas
JDJosé Carlos B. Dubeux
José Carlos B. Dubeux
PCPriscila Junia Rodrigues da Cruz
Priscila Junia Rodrigues da Cruz
LQLuana M. D. Queiroz
Luana M. D. Queiroz
MRMartin Ruiz-Moreno
Martin Ruiz-Moreno
MBMarilia A. Bernardini
Marilia A. Bernardini
Weed encroachment on grasslands can negatively affect herbage allowance and animal behavior, impacting livestock production. We used low-cost GPS collars fitted to twenty-four Angus crossbred steers to evaluate the effects of different levels of weed encroachment on animal activities and spatial distribution. The experiment was established with a randomized complete block design, with three treatments and four blocks. The treatments were paddocks free of weeds (weed-free), paddocks with weeds established in alternated strips (weed-strips), and paddocks with weeds spread throughout the entire area (weed-infested). Animals in weed-infested paddocks had reduced resting time and increased grazing time, distance traveled, and rate of travel (p < 0.05) compared to animals in weed-free paddocks. The spatial distribution of the animals was consistently greater in weed-free paddocks than in weed-strips or weed-infested areas. The effects of weed encroachment on animal activities were minimized after weed senescence at the end of the growing season. Pasture weed encroachment affected cattle behavior and their spatial distribution across the pasture, potentially impacting animal welfare. Further long-term studies are encouraged to evaluate the impacts of weed encroachment on animal performance and to quantify the effects of behavioral changes on animal energy balance.