Effect of various grazing systems on type and density of cattle trails
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Authors: J. W. Walker, and R. K. Heitschmidt
Date: 1986
Journal: Journal of Range Management
Volume: 39
Number: 5
Pages: 428-431
Summary of Methods: Authors compared cattle trail density in five grazing systems; continuous (heavy and moderate), deferred rotation (moderate), and rotational (heavy; 14- and 42 -paddocks) according to distance from water and use (primary, secondary, or tertiary trails). Rotational grazing had greater density of trails than the other three systems (which were similar to each other) and there was a significant 3 way interaction between system, distance from water and use. In the rotational system, zones 1 and 2 (closest to water) had the highest trail density, and use by distance interaction (primary trails close to water, tertiary further away) is likely a result of the triangular paddocks in a cartwheel shape. This did not change with stock density (subdividing the paddocks), thus, rotational grazing in this experiment did not reduce trailing by cattle.
Article Summary / Main Points: None
Vegetation Types:
MLRA Ecoregions:
Agrovoc Control Words: Riparian zones Rangelands Wildlife
Article Review Type: Refereed
Article Type: Experimental Research
Keywords: trails, rotational, savory method, water center, distribution, bare soil
Annotation: Stocking rates: continuous heavy and moderate stocked at 5 and 6 ha/cow/yr respectively, deferred rotation at 4.5 ha / cow (6 ha/cow/yr), and rotational 0.3 ha/cow (3.7 ha/cow/yr, grazed 2-5 days rest 26-65 days). There is no reference to vegetation in the paper. Vegetation type derived from map only.
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