Factors Influencing Patterns of Cattle Grazing Behavior on Shortgrass Steppe

Abstract

Factors hzfluencing distribution of free-roaming cattle were studied on shortgrass steppe in northeastern Colorado. Spatial units selected for grazing were plant communities (soil-plant associations) and a stock-watering area. Regression models of grazing patterns were derived for growing-and dormant-season grazing patterns. Seasonal-grazing distribution was correlated with proximity to water (l/distance) and site-quality indicators. Internal validation of seasonal-grazing models indicated a good flt of predicted to observed patterns. Because ad hoe regression models lack wide applicability, relationships between spatial preference and vegetation properties were investigated. Combined relative measures of forage quality and quantity were good predictors of community preference. Measures of relative biomass or frequencies of forage species were poor predictors of spatlal preference. The high correlation between preference and properties of plants composing the bulk of the diet suggests an interaction between diet selection and selection of grazing areas. The highest correlation occurred between relative community preference and relative aboveground standing nitrogen (crude protein). Animal distribution is considered an important component of livestock management. We have only generalities, no quantitative, predictive knowledge about what factors influence grazing-animal distribution, how those factors change over time, or how distribution is related to nutrition. Systematic investigation of mechanisms behind distribution of range livestock is lacking. Because distribution is traditionally described in terms of use of predetermined zones, areas actually selected by animals for grazing are often not known. Predicting livestock distribution requires precise quantification of behavior and contributing environmental variables. This paper describes a study of spatial patterns of cattle grazing on shortgrass steppe. The objectives of this research were to determine (1) which spatial components of the landscape are selected as grazing habitat by cattle, (2) what factors influence spatial patterns of seasonal or

Spatial and Seasonal Patterns of Cattle Habitat use in a Mountain Wooded Pasture

“…Costa et al (1990) has also shown slope to be the main factor. Flat areas are chosen by cattle as resting places (Peterson and Woolfolk 1955;Senft et al 1985;Jewell 2002;Gander et al 2003) and dung drop occurs mainly at the end of the rest. Low tree cover, few rock outcrops and high fodder potential are also linked to resting places.…”

“…The selection of grazing locations by cattle depends on herbage quality and quantity, water availability, relief, slope, elevation, aspect, natural and artificial barriers, herd social interactions, prior experience, and climate (Rice et al 1983). Cattle preferentially graze plant communities of high nutritive value (Osuji 1974;Anderson and Kothmann 1980;Roath and Krueger 1982) and this preference seems to partially control the distribution of cattle in a paddock (Van Rees and Hutson 1983;Senft et al 1985;Putman et al 1987). Pinchak et al (1991) concluded that the distance to water and physiographic complexity were the primary controls on cattle distribution, but that forage quality was an important predictor of cattle habitat use at finer grains.…”

Habitat selection according to the ability of animals to eat, digest and detoxify foods

“…Herbivores may also be influenced in their choice of habitat by the microclimate offered by various habitats (Senft et al 1985). The extent to which animals are influenced by microclimate is likely to depend on their susceptibility to extreme conditions.…”

Integrating production functions of timber, forage, and cattle to achieve sustainable resource management.

“…This finding fits well with the understandings that the relative preference for various species changes through the season (Grammon 1978;Holechek et al 1982). The abundance of seasonally preferred plant species have also been shown to influence the patterns of plant community use (Senft et al 1985). Also, the tendency of cattle to graze forest rather than grassland will increase as grasses mature toward the end of the growing season (Fitzgerald et al 1986).…”