Spatial distribution of grazing sites and dung of beef cows in a sloping pasture

Abstract

Livestock select places in a pasture that offer high-quality and nutritious grass, and these selections cause spatial heterogeneity and reduced productivity. To maximize the efficiency of pasture systems, it is important to understand the spatiotemporal information regarding livestock grazing behavior. In this review, we describe studies conducted to develop a simple tool for determining cow foraging behavior, and to predict the spatial distribution of cow excrement (dung) in a steeply sloping pasture. An accelerometry-based activity monitor, the Kenz Lifecorder EX (hereafter, the LC). was used to differentiate between foraging and other activities of beef cows. A linear discriminant analysis yielded good discrimination accuracy of the minute-based data of the LC. The combination of the activity timeline and GPS tracking data successfully revealed the spatiotemporal distribution of cow foraging activity in a sloping pasture.