Cattle Trampling of Simulated Ground Nests under Short Duration and Continuous Grazing

Abstract

Trampling by cattle on simulated ground nests were compared between continuous (CONT) grazing at 8.0 ha/steer and short duration grazing (SDG) at 5.3 ha/steer. Trampling losses were similar under CONT grazing (15%) and SDG (9%) at a nest density of 1/ha. Percentage trampling loss did not increase at higher nest densities under either grazing regime. Nest survival curves indicated a loss rate of 2.21%/wk under CONT grazing and 2.09%/wk under SDG. The data from this study suggest there is no reason for concern that SDG with cattle will increase trampling loss of ground nests over CONT grazing.