Scientists used GPS tracking collars to study how cows, horses, and sheep behave when grazing together in mountainous areas. They discovered that each animal type has different movement patterns and eating habits. Sheep traveled the farthest distances and preferred higher elevations, while cows and horses stayed closer together and moved less. The animals also changed their behavior with the seasons and weather. These findings help farmers develop better strategies for raising livestock sustainably in mountain regions where the land is harder to manage.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How do cows, horses, and sheep move around, eat, and behave when they graze together in mountainous areas?
  • Who participated: The study tracked three different types of livestock (cattle, horses, and sheep) grazing in mountainous regions. The exact number of animals wasn’t specified in the research summary, but the animals were monitored across different seasons and weather conditions.
  • Key finding: Sheep traveled about 2.85 kilometers per day and preferred higher elevations, while cows and horses only traveled about 1.65-1.68 kilometers per day and stayed at lower altitudes. Each animal type had its own unique daily activity pattern based on its dietary needs.
  • What it means for you: If you’re involved in mountain farming or livestock management, understanding these differences can help you create better grazing plans for each animal type. This may lead to healthier animals and more sustainable farming practices. However, remember that individual animals may behave differently, so one-size-fits-all approaches may not work best.

The Research Details

Researchers used GPS tracking collars—special devices that attach to animals and record their location—to monitor cows, horses, and sheep grazing in mountainous areas. These collars provided detailed information about where the animals went, how far they traveled each day, and what times they were most active. The study tracked the animals across different seasons and weather conditions to see how these factors influenced their behavior.

This approach was chosen because mountainous terrain is difficult for humans to access and observe directly. The GPS collars allowed scientists to collect accurate data automatically without disturbing the animals or requiring constant human observation. The researchers then analyzed this data to identify patterns in how each species moved, grazed, and interacted with their environment.

The study examined several important factors including daily travel distances, altitude preferences, grazing patterns throughout the day, how spread out the herds were, and how weather and seasonal changes affected behavior.

Using GPS tracking technology is important because it provides objective, continuous data that would be impossible to collect by simply watching animals. This technology works even in remote mountain areas where human observers can’t easily go. The detailed information helps farmers and land managers make better decisions about how to manage different livestock species together, which is crucial for keeping mountain farming sustainable and profitable.

This study used modern technology to collect real-world data on actual grazing animals in their natural mountain environment, which makes the findings practical and applicable. The research tracked animals across multiple seasons and years (including 2022 and 2023), providing data across different weather conditions. However, the specific number of animals studied wasn’t clearly stated in the available information, which makes it harder to assess how broadly these findings apply. The study also acknowledges that individual animals behaved differently from each other, suggesting that the patterns described are general trends rather than rules that apply to every animal.

What the Results Show

The research revealed clear differences in how the three livestock species behaved when grazing in mountains. Sheep were the most active travelers, covering about 2.85 kilometers per day, while cows and horses were less mobile, traveling only about 1.65 to 1.68 kilometers daily. This difference makes sense because sheep have different dietary needs and are naturally adapted to finding food across larger areas.

The animals also showed different daily activity patterns. Cows had a clear two-peak activity pattern, meaning they were most active in the morning and late afternoon, with a rest period in the middle of the day. Horses and sheep, by contrast, grazed more steadily throughout the day without such distinct rest periods. These patterns likely reflect each species’ natural grazing behavior and how their bodies process food.

Seasonal changes significantly affected all the animals. In June, when animals were moved to summer pastures (a practice called transhumance), activity levels peaked. During summer months, sheep moved to higher elevations while cows and horses remained at lower altitudes. When springs were dry (as occurred in 2022 and 2023), all animals traveled farther and covered larger areas searching for adequate food and water.

The study also found that how spread out the herds were varied by species and season. Early in the grazing season when food was plentiful, cows and horses stayed closer together in tighter groups. As the season progressed and resources became scarcer, the herds became more dispersed as animals spread out to find enough food.

Weather had surprisingly little day-to-day impact on animal behavior, suggesting that livestock can adapt to normal daily weather variations. However, longer-term drought conditions (like the dry springs in 2022 and 2023) had significant effects, forcing animals to expand their home ranges—the total area they covered while grazing. Individual animals showed considerable variation in their behavior, meaning some animals within the same species behaved quite differently from others. This finding is important because it suggests that farmers need to consider individual animal characteristics, not just species-level patterns, when managing herds.

This research builds on existing knowledge about livestock grazing behavior by providing detailed, technology-based data that confirms and expands on previous observations. The finding that different species have different altitude preferences and movement patterns aligns with what scientists already knew about their dietary needs and natural behaviors. The use of GPS tracking technology represents an advancement in how researchers study grazing animals, allowing for more precise and continuous data collection than traditional observation methods.

The study doesn’t clearly specify how many individual animals were tracked, which makes it difficult to know how representative the findings are. The research was conducted in mountainous areas, so the results may not apply to livestock grazing in flat or less challenging terrain. The study period included unusual drought conditions (2022-2023), which may have exaggerated some behavioral changes. Additionally, the research acknowledges that individual animal behavior varied considerably, meaning these findings describe general patterns rather than consistent rules that apply to every animal. Shepherding practices also influenced behavior, so results may differ in areas with different management approaches.

The Bottom Line

Farmers and land managers should develop separate grazing strategies for each livestock species rather than treating them all the same way. For sheep, allow for larger grazing areas and higher altitude access to match their natural movement patterns. For cows and horses, consider grouping management strategies since they have similar movement distances and altitude preferences. Monitor weather conditions, especially drought periods, as these significantly affect how far animals need to travel to find adequate food. Consider individual animal differences when making management decisions, as some animals may behave quite differently from the typical pattern. These recommendations are based on solid observational data but should be adapted to your specific local conditions and resources.

This research is most relevant for farmers and ranchers who raise livestock in mountainous regions, particularly those managing mixed herds of cows, horses, and sheep. Land managers responsible for sustainable grazing practices will find these insights valuable. Agricultural extension services and veterinarians working with mountain livestock operations can use this information to provide better guidance. This research is less directly applicable to farmers in flat terrain or those raising only one livestock species. People interested in sustainable agriculture and environmental conservation may also find this research relevant to understanding how to balance livestock production with land conservation.

Changes in grazing management strategies based on these findings may take several months to a year to show clear benefits, as you’ll need to observe how your specific animals respond to adjusted management practices. Seasonal changes happen annually, so you should expect to see different patterns in summer versus spring and fall. The benefits of better-matched grazing strategies—such as healthier animals, improved land sustainability, and potentially better productivity—typically become apparent over a full grazing season or longer.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • If using a livestock management app, track daily distance traveled by each animal or herd group, recording it weekly. Compare these distances across seasons and note any increases that might indicate food scarcity. Also track altitude where animals are grazing and note any shifts in preferred elevation by species.
  • Use the app to set species-specific grazing targets and management zones. Create separate pasture rotation plans for sheep versus cows and horses. Set reminders to monitor herd dispersal patterns during different seasons, and adjust grazing areas when you notice animals traveling significantly farther than normal.
  • Establish a long-term tracking system that records monthly patterns of movement, altitude preference, and herd dispersal for each species. Compare year-to-year data to identify seasonal trends and weather impacts. Use this historical data to predict when animals might need additional resources or pasture rotation, allowing you to manage your herds proactively rather than reactively.

This research provides observational data about livestock grazing patterns in mountainous regions but should not replace professional advice from veterinarians, agricultural extension services, or experienced land managers familiar with your specific location and conditions. Individual animal behavior varies considerably, and local environmental factors, climate, and management practices will significantly influence how these findings apply to your situation. Always consult with local agricultural experts before making major changes to your grazing management strategy. This information is educational and should be adapted to your specific needs and circumstances.