Unveiling the dynamics of livestock behaviour, pasture growth, and livestock saliva

Abstract

Grazing practices must consider a range of variables to enable efficient and sustainable management of animals, plants, soils, water, and nutrients. Extensive research has detailed changes in these variables, but a multidisciplinary agroecological approach is critical to understand how they interact to ensure best management practices. This thesis investigated three areas within agroecological sphere: the role of grazing on plant growth (Chapters 2 and 3), constituents in livestock saliva that may affect plant growth (Chapter 4), and grazing decisions of livestock on pasture using predictive modelling (Chapters 5 and 6). The aim of my thesis is to weave a narrative that explores the complex dynamics of these variables in an agricultural ecosystem and provide a pathway for how they can be analysed. Grazing management is the relationship between animals and plants, and as such, the ability to qualify and quantify the intricacies of the art and science will benefit researchers in their studies, and pastoralists in making management decisions on farm.