In this conceptual model of the grazing process, cattle quickly explore a new pasture and develop a map-like presentation of the spatial relationships among patches. The idea of manipulating cattle distribution in a systematic manner, based on animal memory of locations and diet selection rules, has not been exploited. If an area is burned or fertilized, animals may consider it exponentially better than other areas and may be willing to travel up steep slopes or long distances from water to graze these areas. However, animals may not change grazing patterns in the areas they pass through to reach the burned or fertilized areas. Changing the similarity among patches is not likely to overcome the effects of water, salt, steep slopes, comfort, or physical-barrier limits. However, integration of patch-enhancement techniques, with the proven techniques of water, trail development and salt placement may improve cattle distribution.
Citations and enhanced abstracts for journals articles and documents focused on rangeland ecology and management. RSIS is a collaboration between Montana State University, University of Idaho, and University of Wyoming.