Small herds of cows were observed and spatially mapped over continuous
twenty-four hour periods. Treatments were implemented that investigated the
effect of water site and supplementation on animal distribution patterns. A series
of six observation periods constituted each observation series. Observation series
were repeated winter (January) and summer (July) for two years. Forage
conditions varied considerably between years and seasons. Three regression
models for different periods related forage variables to animal use with R�� values
ranging from 0.51 to 0.77. A spatial point analysis, Ripley's K, also discerned
differences in spatial point arrangements related to differences in forage and
season. It detected and quantified changes caused by locating a high-protein
supplement in the pasture. Swale sites and slopes of less than 10 percent were
preferred for grazing in all seasons. Water sources and shade trees were
distribution focal points for three observation series. In the winter of 1998,
animals spent more time on warmer sites. We recorded more cow activity and
movement at night than other researchers. Resting areas had aspect and elevation
attributes that relate to temperature regulation. Animal positions were analyzed to
determine cattle subgroups. Forage availability and thermoregulatory needs
influenced the distance between associated members. Social dominance and
subgroup membership were closely related to the age of individual animals. A
geographic information system based technique called multi-criteria evaluation
was used to develop temporal/spatial models predicting cattle distribution across
the landscape. Summer models worked better than winter models because water
sources and shade sites were more consistent as focal points for cattle activities. / Graduation date: 2002
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ORGSU/oai:ir.library.oregonstate.edu:1957/31168 |
| Date | 18 June 2001 |
| Creators | Harris, Norman Rex |
| Contributors | Johnson, Douglas E. |
| Source Sets | Oregon State University |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis/Dissertation |
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