Spatial patterns of cattle resting behavior were investigated on shortgrass steppe. Resting was divided into daytime and nighttime categories. Sites selected for daytime resting during June through August were low-lying areas, fencelines, and stock-water area. Daytime resting during September through May occurred on south-facing slopes and lowland areas. Degree of use of warm slopes varied from month to month, peaking in midwinter. A significant portion of daytime resting occurred near water (23%) and fencelines (27%) at all times of the year. Resting at night during October through May occurred on south-facing slopes, low-lying areas, sites with sandy soils, and sites with high buffalo grass (Buchloe dactyloides) cover. During June through September, cattle preferred sites on east-facing slopes and on lowlands. Cattle rested near fencelines less at night than during the day. Patterns of and factors correlated to resting were different from those associated with grazing activity. Resting behavior was correlated with topographic variables, whereas previous work has shown grazing to be correlated with vegetation variables. This material was digitized as part of a cooperative project between the Society for Range Management and the University of Arizona Libraries. The Journal of Range Management archives are made available by the Society for Range Management and the University of Arizona Libraries. Contact lbry-journals@email.arizona.edu for further information. Migrated from OJS platform August 2020
Scholarly peer-reviewed articles published by the Society for Range Management. Access articles on a rolling-window basis from vol. 1, 1948 up to 5 years from the current year. Formerly Journal of Range Management (JRM). More recent content is available by subscription from SRM.