Studies on the Northern Rhodesia Hyparrhenia veld Part I. The grazing behaviour of indigenous cattle grazed at light and heavy stocking rates

Abstract

1. The normal pattern of grazing behaviour of free-range indigenous cattle under conditions of lenient stocking and overstocking has been studied throughout the year.2. There was a fairly fixed daily pattern of herd behaviour. The cattle usually started day grazing round sunrise and ceased approximately 1 hr. after sunset. There was a morning and afternoon peak of intense grazing activity separated by a rest period and watering about midday. There was usually one peak of night grazing.3. The average daily grazing times varied from 8 hr. during the rains period of relative feed abundance, to about 13 hr. during the dry season period of malnutrition.4. During the dry season there were no major differences in grazing times between the leniently stooked and overstocked groups. Both herds were losing weight.5. The relatively greater weight gains of the overstocked herd compared with the leniently stooked group during the rains resulted from the increased grazing times of the overstocked herd.6. The night grazing remained fairly constant at approximately 20% of the total daily grazing time.7. There were no seasonal effects on the pattern of grazing behaviour. High daytime temperatures did not cause an increase in the proportion of night grazing of indigenous cattle.