Social behavior of grazing beef cattle: Implications for management

This paper reviews current knowledge of the social behavior of grazing beef cattle and discusses how that knowledge can be applied to rangeland cattle management. Cattle herds are composed of social subgroups that influence grazing distribution on rangeland. Grazing distribution is, in part, a learned response; therefore, management strategies that alter the social composition and structure of cattle subgroups can affect habitat use. Herding and selective culling are two management strategies that may be used to relieve grazing pressure on environmentally sensitive areas. Cattle form social hierarchies that can present a number of problems when feeding supplements. More dominant animals may consume a greater proportion of supplement than subordinate animals. Sorting cattle into similar age groups with similar physiological demands can decrease overconsumption of supplement by more dominant animals. Adjusting trough space or the number of supplemental feed locations also may reduce variation in supplement consumption. Greater knowledge and application of cattle social behavior should improve management of rangeland cattle.