Seasonal Grazing Behavior, Diet Selection, and Meat Characteristics of Range-Fed Raramuri Criollo Cattle (Cows, Heifers, and Steers) in Southeastern Arizona

Abstract

Rangelands are vast natural landscapes principally found in arid and semi-arid regions (Havstad et al., 2015). They are composed of grasslands, shrublands, woodlands, savannahs, tundra, and deserts. The main vegetation found on rangelands is grasses, grass-like plants, forbs or shrubs (Havstad et al., 2015; NRCS, n.d.). As of 2021, 54% of the world’s land is considered rangelands (UN Environment Programme, 2021). More than 30% of the United States is rangelands (Havstad et al., 2015; NRCS, n.d.). Rangelands provide ecosystem services such as livestock forage, wildlife habitat, watershed, mineral resources, wood products, wildland recreation, open space, and natural beauty. Rangelands are a major contributor to ruminant production, but are now threaten by climate change (UN Environment Programme, 2021). For the past thirty years, drought has strongly affected parts of California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas in the Southwestern United States; and Sonora, and Chihuahua in Northern Mexico. Climate forecasts out to 2060 suggest that southwestern states will become hotter and drier (Scasta et al., 2016). Reducing herd size and feeding harvested forage (usually not done in arid regions) are two common drought management techniques used by ranchers (Scasta et al., 2016). However, these are short-term solutions. Therefore, it may be necessary for ranchers to choose cattle breeds which are better adapted to this type of climate, and topography in order to maximize the feed resources without degrading them. Criollo cattle, a heritage breed, brought to the western hemisphere as early as 1493 by early explorers seem to be well-adapted to these more arid conditions because of its smaller frame, grazing behavior, and diet selection (Anderson et al., 2015). Around 1650AD, they became known as Criollo cattle because of their adaptation to varied climates through natural selection. Before this date, they were referred to simply as Spanish cattle (Rouse, 1977). Geographic isolation of these Criollo cattle has provided animals with substantial genetic diversity. Criollo cattle found in Mexico may represent 80 to 200 generations of unmanaged breeding (natural selection) (Anderson et al., 2015). Criollo seem to be a cattle breed with the potential to match their genetics to the environment. Preliminary research conducted in New Mexico has found that the advantageous fertility, longevity, and low-cost production of Criollo cattle meant that the net economic return were equal to what could be made from British breeds in the area (Anderson et al., 2015). This breed could be part of a long-term solution for persistent drought in the southwestern United States and Northern Mexico, for some ranchers. Ranchers raising cattle on arid and semi-arid rangelands can raise steers until they are ready for slaughter; and direct market their meat. However, the latter represents a very small percentage of the ranching community. Criollo cattle may increase resilience of beef production on rangelands because of the different findings of our study. Our study focused on grazing behavior, diet selection and meat characteristics of range-fed Raramuri Criollo cattle raised on the rangelands of the 47 Ranch, Cochise County, Southeastern Arizona. Studying these different elements of the Criollo cattle is necessary to try to better understand this breed, and see if it could be appropriate for the southwestern states. This dissertation has 6 chapters. Chapter 1 is presenting a contextual discussion of the research. Chapter 2 is diving into a literature review on research related to our study. Chapter 3 explains the methodology of our research. Chapter 4 presents the results of the grazing behavior study by specifically looking at Criollo cows, heifers, bulls and steers. Chapter 5 presents the results of the diet selection study by looking at Criollo cows, heifers, and steers. Chapter 6 presents the results of the meat characteristics study (quality grade, yield grade, tenderness, and fatty acid profile) of the Criollo cattle by looking at the finishing steers. Our results highlight the potential for raising certain heritage livestock breeds on rangelands for meat production, and conservation purposes.