Publication Date
1993
Description
A conceptual model is presented that links the mechanics of bite formation to the characteristics of the sward to explain variation in bite weight, bite area, bite depth and biting rate measured in a series of experiments with hand-constructed swards. Bite area is determined by the behaviour used by the animal to collect and grasp the tillers, and the length and stiffness of the sward, Bite depth is affected by height and the degree of vertical heterogeneity in stiffness. Time per bite is controlled by bite weight. These mechanisms of bite formation and time per bite ex.plain many observed effects, such as the overriding importance of sward height on bite weight, the interaction of morphological, behaviourial, and award structural constraints on bile weight, and the reduction of intake rate as patches are grazed down.
Citation
Laca, Emilio M.; Demment, M W.; Distel, R A.; and Griggs, T C., "A Conceptual Model to Explain Variation in Ingestive Behavior within a Feeding Patch" (2024). IGC Proceedings (1993-2023). 17.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1993/session18/17
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
A Conceptual Model to Explain Variation in Ingestive Behavior within a Feeding Patch
A conceptual model is presented that links the mechanics of bite formation to the characteristics of the sward to explain variation in bite weight, bite area, bite depth and biting rate measured in a series of experiments with hand-constructed swards. Bite area is determined by the behaviour used by the animal to collect and grasp the tillers, and the length and stiffness of the sward, Bite depth is affected by height and the degree of vertical heterogeneity in stiffness. Time per bite is controlled by bite weight. These mechanisms of bite formation and time per bite ex.plain many observed effects, such as the overriding importance of sward height on bite weight, the interaction of morphological, behaviourial, and award structural constraints on bile weight, and the reduction of intake rate as patches are grazed down.
