Mohammad Fayaz; Seyed Hamid Habibian; Hasan Yeganeh; Anvar Sanaie; Mohammadjavad Mahdavi
Volume 26, Issue 1 , June 2019, , Pages 174-186
Abstract
The knowledge of livestock grazing behavior is one of the effective factors in rangeland management. This research was carried out in order to recognize the sheep grazing behavior in the rangelands of Cheshmeh Anjir, Fars province, during the years 2007-2010.The indicators assessed ...
Read More
The knowledge of livestock grazing behavior is one of the effective factors in rangeland management. This research was carried out in order to recognize the sheep grazing behavior in the rangelands of Cheshmeh Anjir, Fars province, during the years 2007-2010.The indicators assessed in this research included the daily distance traveled by livestock, average livestock movement, speed, and the time spent grazing. To determine these parameters, a GPS device was used and attached on the back of a 4- year old ewe using a special belt. Thus, after the start of grazing in the rangeland, the GPS was activated and then its data were extracted using mode track in ILWIS software at the end of the day. Data analysis was done in a completely randomized block design method using SAS software. The results of the study years showed that the average livestock movement speed and the daily distance traveled by livestock were significant at 1% and 5% levels, respectively; however, the time spent grazing did not show significant differences. Also, the results of study months showed that the average livestock movement speed was significant at 5% level and the daily distance traveled by livestock and the time spent grazing were not significant. According to the results, August 2008 with the mean value of 4 m/s and June 2009 with the mean value of 29 m/s had the lowest and highest average livestock movement speed, respectively; however, June 2009 with the mean value of 4.2 m/s and August 2008 with the mean value of 15.4 m/s had the lowest and highest distance traveled by livestock, respectively. The knowledge of mentioned factors will help rangeland management to determine the appropriate time for livestock moving and will increase livestock performance.
Mohammad Fayaz; Seyed Hamid Habibian; Hasan Yeganeh; Avar Sanaie
Volume 22, Issue 1 , June 2015, , Pages 1-11
Abstract
In this research, the preference value of range species for sheep and goat was studied in the Cheshme-Anjir rangelands of Fars province during four years (2007-2010). Direct observation (timing) method was used during the grazing months (June, July, August and September). In each month, around one to ...
Read More
In this research, the preference value of range species for sheep and goat was studied in the Cheshme-Anjir rangelands of Fars province during four years (2007-2010). Direct observation (timing) method was used during the grazing months (June, July, August and September). In each month, around one to two hours after entering livestock to the rangeland, livestock grazing was filmed for 30 minutes and was transferred to the computer to determine the time of grazing for each species. In addition, the frequency and duration of the use of each species in the mentioned months was examined. Afterward, data were analyzed by SAS software in a completely randomized block design. Results showed that there was significant difference (p<0.01) among the species studied in terms of time percentage and grazing frequency. However, the effect of month and month*species for time percentage and grazing frequency treatments was not significant. The results of preference value of species showed that maximum time percentage and grazing frequency for sheep and goat was on annual grasses+ forbs, and in general, results showed that goat was a browser livestock and sheep was a grazer livestock.