FLERDS AFFECT FREE-RANGING ANIMAL DISTRIBUTION DURING FORAGING

Authors: SUN, P - NMSU, GRAD PROGRAM; MURRAY, L - NEW MEXICO STATE UNIV; Anderson, Dean; NAKAMATSU, V - NMSU, FORMER GRAD STUDENT; Frederickson, Eddie; Havstad, Kris

Submitted to: Society for Range Management Meeting Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/13/2002
Publication Date: 2/13/2002
Citation: SUN, P., MURRAY, L.W., ANDERSON, D.M., NAKAMATSU, V.B., FREDRICKSON, E.L., HAVSTAD, K.M. FLERDS AFFECT FREE-RANGING ANIMAL DISTRIBUTION DURING FORAGING. 55TH ANNUAL MEETING, SOCIETY FOR RANGE MANAGEMENT. 2002. ABSTRACT P. 83.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The uniform distribution of free-ranging animals is the second most important management goal to be attained once a proper stocking rate has been established. Various management tools have been used to improve forage utilization. However, nonuniform landscape utilization still characterizes the foraging pattern of many animals, especially sheep and goats. Preliminary data suggests if sheep, goats, and cattle remain together as a flerd during foraging, grazing pressure is spread more uniformly over the landscape compared to the foraging pattern of flocks.