Spatial patterns of deposition of feces by beef cattle in pasture

Abstract

The survey aimed to collect information on deposition pattern of feces of Nelore catlle in growing phases on pasture with and without natural shading with the use of Geostatistics in rainy season. Information was collected in March 2010, including the central period of rainy season. Data geostatistical analysis was conducted and also the descriptive analysis, obtaining the mean, median, variance, CV, skewness and kurtosis. To teste data normality the Kolmogorov-Smirnov was used. Areas with shading and no shading showed moderate and strong spatial dependent. The area with afforestation had better distribution in the deposition of feces while the area without shading had higher concentration of feces along the drinker, trough, depressions and shaded area. As closer to the depressions, the a greater deposition of feces. The geostatistical analysis allowed visualizing the pattern of feces deposition by cattle in pasture under continuous stocking.