Cows that are less active in the chute have more optimal grazing distribution
2025
Cows with Less Activity in Chute Have Better Grazing Patterns
Sample size: 50
publication
10 minutes
Evidence: moderate
Author Information
Author(s): Maggie Creamer, Kristina Horback
Primary Institution: University of California, Davis
Hypothesis
Do behaviors exhibited during handling predict grazing patterns in cattle?
Conclusion
Cows that are less active in the chute tend to graze at higher elevations and further from water sources.
Supporting Evidence
- Cows with a more passive response in the chute were found at higher elevations.
- Cows that took longer to traverse the chute traveled shorter distances on rangeland.
- Cows with higher latency to supplement in the social-feed trade-off traveled shorter distances.
Takeaway
Cows that are calmer when handled are better at finding food in higher places and away from water.
Methodology
Fifty Angus x Hereford cows were observed in repeated behavior assays and tracked with GPS collars over two grazing seasons.
Limitations
Results are based on durations rather than speed, which may limit generalizability.
Participant Demographics
Cows were Angus x Hereford, aged 2 to 8 years, and 80-100 days pregnant.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p=0.017, p=0.043, p=0.029, p=0.035
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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