Integração açaí-pecuária: alternativa para bovinocultura leiteira em Humaitá, sul do Amazonas

Abstract

Brazil has the world’s largest commercial cattle herd, with more than 214.9 million heads, where dairy farming is of great importance in the northern region, with an annual growth of 3.2%. For this production grow continuously, we should consider the interaction between animal and environment, where environmental thermal comfort will provide greater efficiency in the exploitation of dairy farming. The animal’s responses to the peculiarities of each region are decisive in the success of the livestock activity. The aim of this work was to evaluate the integration of açaí and livestock as an alternative management for dairy cattle in the city of Humaitá, southern Amazonas. Air temperature (TA) and relative humidity (UR) data were used to calculate the Temperature and Humidity Index (ITU) from November 2020 to March 2021. Data were collected with the Thermo-hygrometer (Hobo®, model U23-001), installed in Sitio São Francisco with unshaded pasture, and Sitio Sol Nascente with shaded pasture with açaí plantation. Hourly and monthly averages of the variables data were taken and, subsequently, boxplot plotted. The results show that the TA and UR collected were above the provisional climatological normal (NCP), in the studied areas, from November to January, while in February and March, the shaded area presented TA below the NCP, and the UR was above the NCP in throughout the study period in both areas. The ITU’s ranged from 73.71 (comfortable) to 85.46 (emergency), with an average of 78.41 in unshaded pasture and 78.36 in shaded pasture. Lower ITU’s were presented in the shaded pasture in December, February and March. Thus, the region presented unfavorable climatic conditions for animal thermal comfort. Therefore, it is necessary to use specific techniques and management to minimize the effect of heat stress on the performance of these animals.