Livestock behaviour plays a key role in the relationship between grazing animals and plant communities. Key grazing behaviour that impact grassland management are affected by the abundance of forage, the topography of the land and availability of water, season of use, and class of animal.
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Cattle that have access to abundant, good quality forage will graze for about nine hours during a 24-hour time period. The length of time for grazing can be lengthened under high stocking rates, low forage availability or when the quality of feed is reduced. This daily grazing period may also be extended when cattle graze vegetation of mixed quality and growth such as shrubs and grasses.
Livestock have inherent responses to natural phenomena, including their ability to seek out the best forage. This ability has developed from generations of natural selection under range grazing conditions; individuals that are capable of selecting superior forage and being able to utilize it efficiently were more likely to survive.
When left to natural habits, cattle graze readily accessible areas first and forage may be underutilized on less accessible range. Unless these habits can be overcome, preferred areas may be overused while other areas are passed up. On rangeland with variable topography, such as in the BC interior, cattle prefer areas with the least slope gradient, to the extent that gently sloping or flat rangeland usually receives the highest grazing pressure. This preference is pronounced where water is more abundant or the forage type more attractive on the bottom lands. Areas of low topographical relief, particularly around watering areas, are generally heavily grazed relative to steeper slopes or acreages a greater distance from water.
A definite response is demonstrated by all livestock during the changing of the seasons, particularly when grazing on range with variations in elevation and vegetation types. Cattle generally tend to graze immature versus mature plants, leaves versus stems and plants with fine versus coarse stems. Seasonal shifts from one preferred species to another often occur when plant species mature at different times throughout the grazing season. Grass re-growth is highly preferred and, when continuous grazing throughout the season can lead to overgrazing of plants grazed earlier in the year. Such seasonal preferences for forage and forage species tend to be associated with plants higher in protein and other nutritive parameters.
Cattle inherently return to familiar areas. Older animals (cows with their calves) become familiar with certain routines throughout the year. Younger, un-bred animals (yearlings) will utilize range with rougher topography and steeper slopes, traveling further from water. Bulls will travel a greater distance from water and utilize extreme areas of the range, but may isolate themselves in the fall months and be difficult to find.
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Cattle distribution is managed to ensure effective use of grassland resources. The following practices are commonly used to improve cattle distribution:
Development of watering sites on un-grazed and/or lightly grazed areas to increase use;
Placement of salt in areas that will encourage greater use of lightly grazed areas or attract livestock away from sensitive areas such as waterfowl habitat or tree plantations;
Fertilizing to improve forage quality and encourage grazing of the area, or to attract them away from a nearby sensitive area;
Fencing to enable following a grazing rotation or rest system, or to prevent grazing in wildlife or waterfowl sensitive areas; and,
Herding to promote cattle movement to lightly grazed or ungrazed areas.
Watering Systems
Water availability on grasslands often dictates the grazing season and the number of livestock that may be grazed. BC’s grasslands are often deficient of stock water in late summer and fall months. When water sources are scant, excessive utilization of forage may occur adjacent to watering sites. In addition, more watering sites are required on rough or steep terrain than on level or rolling terrain. There are various types of water developments available, and the site conditions usually indicate which are appropriate. Fencing to restrict livestock access to a portion of a natural water body can reduce the damage potential along the reserved shoreline, but can concentrate any impact to a smaller area. Complete fencing of sensitive riparian areas along with providing an alternative water source is often desirable.
Salt
The consumption of salt by cattle is variable and may be due in part to the amount available from natural sources. Cattle graze as they travel between salt and watering sites, and salt placement can be used to encourage grazing in under-utilized areas. Salt is normally placed well away from water and preferred grazing areas, wildlife and waterfowl sensitive habitats and tree plantations. The location of salting grounds, and the appropriate distance between them, depends on water location and terrain.
Fertilizer
Fertilizer can be effective for improving cattle distribution and forage production. The application of fertilizer to small areas enhances grazing use of the fertilized and adjoining unfertilized range. Fertilizer usually enhances the palatability and nutritional value of growing plants by increasing their protein content and succulence; however, large-scale application of fertilizer to BC’s rangelands is usually not feasible due to product and application costs.
Fencing
A well maintained fence is the prime management tool for controlling cattle and confining them to a particular grazing area for an appropriate time. In the majority of BC’s grasslands, fences are required to implement a grazing system. Fences require significant resources for annual maintenance.
Riding
Herding is required to distribute cattle over the rough terrain of BC’s grasslands. Frequent riding to remove cattle from preferred areas to less utilized areas improves forage utilization across the pasture and, generally, cattle weight gains as well.
To learn more about Grazing systems, click below.
Grazing Systems
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