Get reliable rangeland science

FIREGRAZE: Using strategic patch burning to influence cattle grazing behaviour and improve land condition.
Author
Pettit, CL
Wirf, B
Bailey-Preston, G
Publisher
XII International Rangeland Congress
Publication Year
2025
Body

Managing grazing distribution in large, diverse paddocks is a key challenge in the tropical rangelands of northern Australia. These landscapes consist of varying land types, ranging from fertile alluvial clays to rugged, skeletal red earths, leading to uneven grazing patterns as cattle favour areas with higher-quality forage. Overgrazing of preferred land types can degrade soil health and pasture composition, while underutilized areas contribute less to overall paddock productivity. This study investigated whether burning underutilized areas could attract cattle and redistribute grazing pressure. Conducted at Victoria River Research Station, Northern Territory, two areas of 2.3 km² and 3.3 km² were burned. Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) collars tracked cattle movements across burnt and unburnt land types. There was increased cattle activity in burnt areas during the wet season following burning, with reduced grazing pressure on productive grey clays and vulnerable red earths. The findings suggest that targeted burning can effectively redirect grazing pressure, enhancing the use of underutilized areas and promoting more sustainable land management in heterogeneous rangelands.

Language
English
Resource Type
Text
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Additional Information
This paper is part of the larger XII International Rangelands Congress Proceedings. Page Numbers: 1161-1165. Theme: Theme 4 / Poster presentations – Theme 4
ISSN
978-0-646-72121-7
Conference Name
International Rangeland Congress
Collection
International Rangelands Congress
Keywords
fire
grazing distribution
land condition