SHORT COMMUNICATION
The spatial distribution and activity of cattle in response to plot size
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1
Beef Cattle Section, ARO, Newe Yaar Research Center, P.O. Box 1021, Ramat Yishay 30095, Israel
 
2
Deprtment of Agronomy and Natural Resources, ARO - the Volcani Center, P.O. Box 6, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel
 
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MIGAL - Galilee Technological Center, Qiryat Shemona, P.O. Box 90000, Rosh Pinna 12100, Israel
 
 
Publication date: 2007-09-17
 
 
Corresponding author
Z. Henkin   

Beef Cattle Section, ARO, Newe Yaar Research Center, P.O. Box 1021, Ramat Yishay 30095, Israel
 
 
J. Anim. Feed Sci. 2007;16(Suppl. 2):399-404
 
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
The behaviour and spatial utilization of beef cows on a Mediterranean foothill rangeland with rich hemicryptophytic vegetation was compared in small (28 ha) and large (146 and 78 ha) plots stocked at similar animal densities. Cow location and activity were monitored during late winter and early and late summer using Global Positioning System collars with motion sensors. The daily horizontal locomotion and time spent grazing ranged from 0.97 to 2.72 km and from 5.6 to 12.0 h d-1, respectively, depending on period and plot size. The larger plots offered a wider herbage and habitat selection. While in the small plot animals visited most of the available area at least once, less than 50% was visited in the larger plots. Accordingly, cows grazed relatively higher slopes in the small plots compared to the larger ones.
 
CITATIONS (3):
1.
Effects of cattle grazing on herbage quality in a herbaceous Mediterranean rangeland
Z. Henkin, E. Ungar, L. Dvash, A. Perevolotsky, Y. Yehuda, M. Sternberg, H. Voet, S. Landau
Grass and Forage Science
 
2.
Cow in Motion: A review of the impact of housing systems on movement opportunity of dairy cows and implications on locomotor activity
Elise Shepley, Joop Lensink, Elsa Vasseur
Applied Animal Behaviour Science
 
3.
Graduate Student Literature Review: The effect of housing systems on movement opportunity of dairy cows and the implications on cow health and comfort
E. Shepley, E. Vasseur
Journal of Dairy Science
 
ISSN:1230-1388
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