CCT- Alternative Systems: Multi-Species

Question 1

Idea behind mixed-species grazing

Answer 1

A producer can take advantage of the different foraging habits and preferences of ruminant and non-ruminant herbivores

Question 2

How does a producer accomplish the goal of mixed-species grazing?

Answer 2

By matching the composition and quantity of animals to the available forage resources

Question 3

How is mixed-species grazing done in the U.S?

Answer 3

The addition of extra sheep or goats with different foraging preferences to a pasture that is already stocked with an optimal number of cattle

Question 4

What is the most common final result of mixed-species grazing?

Answer 4

Sustained or improved cattle production, with an added bonus of the extra off take from the sheep and goat, resulting in a greater profit per unit of land

Question 5

Additional unforeseen benefits of mixed-species grazing

Answer 5

Better management of internal parasites (bloodworms) and protection of small ruminants against predators (dogs, coyotes)

Question 6

Is diet selection related to feed availability? How so?

Answer 6

Yes. Grazing animals will tend to consume the predominant species that is growing in the pasture or their ecological niche

Question 7

How can the difference in plant selection during foraging be used?

Answer 7

These differences in eating habit or foraging behavior can be used to successfully manage existing agropastoral resources, or even to improve existing areas of unimproved countryside

Question 8

General observation across Animal Kingdom that has to do with the relationship between the animal’s size and its foraging behavior

Answer 8

The larger the ruminant, the more likely it is that it will be classified as a bulk and roughage grazer, whereas the smaller the ruminant, the more likely it is that they fall within the intermediate/concentrate feeder herbivore category

Question 9

What else determines to a great extent some of an animal’s foraging preferences and habits?

Answer 9

The anatomical and physical agility of an animal

Question 10

Examples of anatomical and physical agility

Answer 10

A goat has greater control and use of the muscles that make up the lips around its mouth, compared with a dairy cow (sheep are intermediate). There are also digestive tract differences and the ability to stand on hind legs to browse

Question 11

Which animals are more resistant to certain naturally-occurring plant-protecting compounds than others?

Answer 11

Goats and deer more resistant than cattle and even, sheep

Question 12

Under most Southern grazing conditions, you can add how many goats per cow without adversely affecting beef cattle production?

Answer 12

1-2

Question 13

Benefits of Mixed-Species Grazing

Answer 13

Is dependent on the forage and animals available, Can assist in weed control and pasture reclamation, Can assist in the management of internal parasites, Can provide protection against predators

Question 14

Mixed-species grazing has its greatest benefits when..?

Answer 14

Forage availability is not limited and types or kinds of forages vary

Question 15

What happens when forage varies and is not limited?

Answer 15

Highly-selective animals (goats) select forbs and browse, leaving grass for the bulk and less selective grazers (cattle). Goats and cattle under these conditions, have little competition for available forages, and instead complement one another

Question 16

What happens when forage is limited (due to overstocking, drought, or cold winter season)?

Answer 16

Goats will graze the same forages as cattle and sheep and compete for the same resources. The benefits of mixed-species grazing are diminished under such conditions

Question 17

What are other uses for goats?

Answer 17

Goats have been used to clear such pastures of their weeds and brush

Question 18

What do now the goat as?

Answer 18

A natural and environmentally-friendly herbicide

Question 19

What has New Zealand suggested regarding weed control and small ruminants?

Answer 19

It is important to reduce the use/cost of chemical herbicides to control weeds in pastures and that using goats and sheep does that. Plus, have the added bonus of increasing the off take from small ruminants and their product (fiber, meat, offspring, etc)

Question 20

Parasite such as _______ are a constant source of concern and loss of income to goat and sheep producers in the U.S.

Answer 20

Bloodworms

Question 21

What makes matters worse regarding bloodworms/

Answer 21

They’re showing some degree of resistance to all approved commercially-available anthelmintics

Question 22

Why has mixed-species grazing been used to reduce the damage done by worm infestations?

Answer 22

Due to the specificity generally exhibited between internal parasite and host

Question 23

Which animals are targets of many coyotes and dogs? Which are not?

Answer 23

Small ruminants are targets, cattle are not

Question 24

Adequate and extensive fencing is _________ and not always _________

Answer 24

Expensive; foolproof

Question 25

Which ways to protect herd/flock is gaining favor?

Answer 25

Guard animals

Question 26

Mixed-species provides adequate protection against predators only if..?

Answer 26

Smaller and more vulnerable animals need to be in close proximity to the larger, less vulnerable animals. Because of their larger size and greater bulk, cattle are seen as a greater foe by coyotes and dogs, compared with the smaller sheep and goats

Question 27

Biggest flaw of using mixed-species grazing as protection against predators

Answer 27

Unless the animals are afforded the opportunity to bond with one another, they will NOT intermingle and co-graze with one another, but rather keep to themselves

Question 28

Considerations need to determine if mixed-species grazing will be beneficial

Answer 28

1 The type(s) and amounts of forage available (Pasure vs Woods vs Mixed)
2 The availability and marketing of animals (Cattle vs Sheep vs Goats vs Deer)
3 Fencing and guard animal requirements (Coyote/Dog Proof and Goat Proof Fences)
4 Environmental, climate, and seasonal (Winter, Drought, etc.)