Livestock grazing distribution is a critical part of rangeland management. Grazing patterns differ among individual animals; however, measurement of foraging patterns is time consuming and expensive. Like other quantitative traits, grazing distribution is affected by both environmental and genetic factors. Beef cows with experience grazing extensive pastures use areas farther from water than cows kept in small pastures. Cows appear to learn where to graze as calves and use areas that their mothers grazed. Genotype also affects grazing distribution as demonstrated by variation among and within breeds.
Oral presentation and poster titles, abstracts, and authors from the Society for Range Management (SRM) Annual Meetings and Tradeshows, from 2013 forward.