Application of New Techniques to Monitor Livestock Grazing Distribution by GPS and GIS

Abstract

Range management needs information on distribution of livestock. The better the distribution of the livestock, the more uniform the use of the rangeland. This study was conducted to record the path of the herd steering by the shepherd. A GPS was attached to a three year old ewe which was moving with the flock. The path of flock movement was recorded for three years on a monthly basis during the grazing season. Results showed that the path was not changing within the years. On the contrary, the pattern of monthly movements showed variation. Area at the vicinity of the watering point and the sheep pen, as a sign of overgrazing for those areas, was used every day. Calculation of the grazed area showed that almost half of the range was used and the other half was left ungrazed. The map and attribute data such as speed of the movement and timing of the daily orbit could help the range manager to find a way out of over grazing problem.