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Environmental constraints in habitat use by free-ranging beef-cattle in the Natural Park of Gorbeia (Basque Country)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 November 2017

N. Mandaluniz  and
L. M. Oregui
N. Mandaluniz*
Affiliation:
NEIKER (Agricultural research and development Basque Institute), Apdo.46, E-01080 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
L. M. Oregui
Affiliation:
NEIKER (Agricultural research and development Basque Institute), Apdo.46, E-01080 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
*
Email: nmandaluniz@neiker.net
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Extract

Mountain pastures utilisation in the Basque Country by means of a free-range mixed-grazing system has suffered substantial changes during the last decades. Beef cattle production has increased partially favoured by CAP (Common Agricultural Policy) measures, mainly milk-quotas and the extensification premium. The use of mountain areas is constrained by both biotic and abiotic factors in cattle (Senft et al, 1985; Bailey, 1995) which are necessary to be identified in order to improve habitat management of these mountain zones, usually declared as protected areas. The objective of the current work was to study the influence of physical factors on the behaviour of beef-cattle herds managed in a transhumant free-range system.

Type
Lactation
Information
Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Science , Volume 2003 , 2003 , pp. 133
Copyright
Copyright © The British Society of Animal Science 2003

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References

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