Optimising cattle grazing distribution on rangeland: a systematic review and network analysis

Abstract

Optimising beef cattle (Bos taurus and Bos indicus) distribution, both spatially and temporally, is one of the most significant challenges associated with managing extensive grazed rangelands. Landscape variability and behavioural patterns of cattle may lead to non-uniform and inefficient forage utilisation, damage to critical habitats, and water quality impairment. In order to overcome these distribution challenges, a large suite of tools have been developed and researched to optimise grazing patterns. The objectives of this synthesis paper are 2-fold: (i) to survey and categorise distribution tools; and (ii) to analyse the connectivity of existing research across academic disciplines to identify and isolate knowledge gaps. A systematic literature review revealed specific types of tools and strategies to improve cattle distribution, which were categorised as either ‘animal’ or ‘environmental manipulations’. Animal manipulations utilise aspects of individual behaviour and herd dynamics to alter grazing patterns, whereas environmental manipulations involve transforming aspects of the animal’s surroundings to overcome challenges associated with inefficient distribution. This review reveals that strategies are overwhelmingly studied in isolation, and that there is potential to increase efficacy by integrating multiple strategies to achieve a desired outcome. Motivated by these findings, an author collaboration network analysis was conducted to investigate connectivity within and among author fields of expertise to understand why more integrated management strategies are not currently studied. Authors were classified into five fields of research: animal behaviour science, animal production science, biophysical rangeland science, economics, and other. The network analysis revealed that communities of authors contributing to papers on enhancing cattle distribution are disjointed. These results suggest that in order to fulfil knowledge gaps about the efficacy and cost of management strategies, there needs to be interdisciplinary engagement with particular attention to strategies that integrate animal and environmental manipulations to enhance cattle grazing distribution on extensively grazed landscapes.

Grazing Intensity Effects on Fire Ignition Risk and Spread in Sagebrush Steppe

“…In arid and semiarid shrublands, fine adjustments to animal numbers and practices that improve grazing distribution at local, regional, and landscape scales are likely needed to effectively maintain or improve fuel management and overall rangeland health. Supplementation (Stevenson et al this issue ), virtual fencing (Boyd et al this issue ), and modified timing of grazing (such as off-season use), along with other measures ( Creamer et al 2019 ), can help achieve desired fuel reductions. Grazing needs to be applied with care to ensure desired objectives are achieved and to prevent undesirable compositional shifts in plant communities, impacts to wildlife, or reductions in ecosystem functioning.…”

Researching Human-Cattle Interaction on Rangelands: Challenges and Potential Solutions

“…There is immense value in studying human-animal interactions in rangeland cattle because they can provide insight for animal welfare and production [ 3 , 11 ], as well as how individual differences in behavior manifest in altering landscapes and biodiversity of surrounding ecosystems [ 133 , 134 , 135 , 136 ]. However, this value is at risk of being undermined by methods that do not take into account the unique characteristics of range cattle outlined above.…”

Riparian health improves with managerial effort to implement livestock distribution practices

“…These are scenarios where livestock preferences and landscape elements create uneven use and resulting impacts across grazing units (e.g. Creamer et al 2019). In similar grazing units across the region, Freitas et al (2014) found that implementation of distributional improvements without reduced stocking rates resulted in restoration rates of riparian plant communities equal to rates observed on units with grazing removed.…”

“…Optimising the spatial and temporal distribution of free-ranging livestock across complex landscapes is a significant challenge facing managers in vast grazing areas (Malan et al 2018;Creamer et al 2019). Stocking rate (i.e.…”

“…feeding station, home range, landscape) (Bailey et al 1996;Hunt et al 2007). Livestock behavioural tendencies and habitat preferences interact with these landscape elements to create further challenges for managers attempting to optimise livestock distribution (Bailey 2005;Ganskopp and Bohnert 2009;Roche et al 2014;Creamer et al 2019). In the absence of appropriate management, these interacting environmental and behavioural factors are primary drivers of excessive livestock damage to sensitive habitats such as streams and associated riparian areas, which provide drinking water, forage, and microclimates sought by livestock (O'Callaghan et al 2019).…”