Raramuri Criollo (RC) are one of 33 known biotypes of heritage Criollo cattle that exist throughout the Americas today. They have been raised by the Tarahumara peoples of the Copper Canyon in ...Chihuahua, Mexico, for over 400 years and exhibit remarkable rusticity and adaptation to harsh grazing environments. To date, no quantitative phenotypic description of this biotype exists. Our objective was to characterize RC cattle via 26 phenotype traits to provide a preliminary biotype standard. Twenty-eight multiparous RC cows, 4 primiparous heifers, and 4 bulls were selected from a purebred herd of approximately 200 animals at the USDA-ARS Jornada Experimental Range. These 36 animals were selected by a Criollo cattle expert based on body conformation correctness. SAS 9.4 was used to determine means, SEs or frequency of measured traits. Multiparous pregnant and cycling cows averaged 366.8 ± 9.8 kg live body weight, 121.8 ± 0.9 cm withers height, horn widths of 60.3 ± 1.6 cm, horn diameters of 5.7 ± 0.1 cm, chest girths of 183.6 ± 12.0 cm, hip widths of 44.5 ± 0.5 cm, flank girths of 52.2 ± 0.9 cm, body length of 90.0 ± 1.7 cm, neck lengths of 52.0 ± 0.9 cm, and tail lengths of 83.3 ± 1.4 cm. Bulls consistently averaged higher values for all traits and weighed 618.2 ± 9.8 kg with scrotal circumferences of 36.8 ± 0.7 cm. RC cattle exhibited mostly convex nose bridges (89%), open-back horns (49%), black muzzles, hooves, and eyes (62, 69, and 81%, respectively), small ears (78%), oblique eyes (70%), high-set tail heads (86%), short hooves (95%), and short hair (78%). Our preliminary characterization of RC phenotypes will be useful in selecting RC individuals for genotypic evaluation to eventually maintain a distinct purebred registry of this Criollo biotype.
The Chihuahuan Desert averages 247 mm of precipitation annually, 53% of which occurs between July and September. Our objective was to examine movement, activity, pasture use, and watering patterns of ...Angus x Hereford (AH) and Raramuri Criollo (RC) cows on days with precipitation events (PE, > 1.3 mm rain recorded) vs. days with no precipitation (NP) at the Jornada Experimental Range in southern New Mexico during the summers of 2015, 2016, and 2017. Breeds grazed two adjacent pastures (12A = 1190 ha; 12C = 1165 ha) separately in a crossover design for 4 weeks each year. Seven to nine randomly selected cows per breed were collared with Lotek 3300-LR GPS set to log position every 10 min. An average of 7.6 PE occurred during the 4-week trials each year. On PE days, cows traveled farther (PE = 6.95 vs. NP = 6.43 km, P < 0.01), spent more time grazing (PE = 9.07 vs. NP = 8.76 h/day, P = 0.07) and less time resting (PE = 13.90 vs. NP = 14.38 h/day, P = 0.01), and traveled similar distances from watering points (PE = 0.84 vs. NP = 0.80 km, P = 0.41) compared to NP days. On PE days, cows spent less time within 200 m (PE = 1.32 vs. NP = 2.95 h, P < 0.01) and 100 m (PE = 0.79 vs. NP = 1.90 h, P < 0.01) of drinkers regardless of breed. We detected no rainfall x breed interaction (P > 0.05). Overall, RC cows traveled farther, at higher velocities, spent more time grazing, less time resting, and explored areas with greater radius than AH counterparts (P < 0.05). Precipitation appeared to relax environmental constraints on activity of both breeds, likely due to availability of ephemeral watering sources and a transient drop in temperature.
•Criollo and Criollo crossbred grass-fed steers were raised to slaughter weights on desert rangeland at 30 months of age.•Criollo crossbred steers reached heavier weights compared to Criollo ...straightened counterparts.•Criollo and Criollo crossbred steers exhibited similar landscape use patterns.•Crossbreeding and/or grass-fed steer development programs could be implemented by ranchers raising Criollo cattle.
Rarámuri Criollo cattle producers often crossbreed their cows with improved beef-breed bulls and/or retain and develop their yearlings on rangeland because of limited weaned calf markets, however it is unknown if Rarámuri Criollo steers exhibit marketable weight gains and carcass qualities, or desirable grazing behaviors documented in cows of this biotype. We evaluated two cohorts (cohort: 1 = 31, 2 = 26) of Rarámuri Criollo (JRC), Mexican Criollo (MC) and Criollo × beef-breed crossbred (XC) steers to investigate effects of biotype on growth, carcass traits, and landscape utilization. Steers were weighed approximately once every 2-mo and average daily gains (ADG) calculated. Nine JRC and XC steers per cohort were monitored at 5-min intervals via global positioning systems (GPS) for 1-mo during winter (2015–16) and late-summer (2016–17). Weight and carcass data were analyzed using mixed measures procedures to identify differences between biotype through time. Discriminant analyses were conducted to determine whether grazing behaviors could be discriminated among: 1) JRC and XC steers and JRC cows; 2) steers by season (winter vs. summer); and 3) steers of cohort 1 and 2. Final live and carcass weights of XC were greater than JRC and MC, but all were market ready at 30-mo following a grass-finishing protocol. Carcass quality and ADG were not different among biotypes. Steers were discriminated into different season or cohort groups based on grazing behavior differences but JRC and XC steers exhibited grazing patterns that were similar to those previously observed in JRC cows. Our results suggest that JRC, MC, and XC steers can be developed to slaughter weights in 30-mo using a rangeland-based grass-fed protocol, and that JRC and XC steers exhibit desirable grazing behaviors previously observed in JRC cows.
A key challenge of precision grazing systems is identifying behavior anomalies associated with situations of reduced animal production and wellbeing. We determined typical ranges of diel variation of ...movement and activity patterns of steers on rangeland to identify metrics that could serve as sensitive indicators of behavior anomalies. Seventeen Raramuri Criollo or Criollo crossbred yearling steers weighing 318 ± 9.3 kg (winter; W) or 358 ± 8.4 kg (late summer; LS) were fitted with GPS collars that recorded animal location at 5-min intervals. Steers grazed a 3,215-ha rangeland pasture for approximately 67 d in W or LS of 2016 and 2017. GPS data were used to derive 22 commonly monitored behavior variables. Means and day-to-day variation (CV%) of all behavior metrics were calculated for each animal as well as linear correlations between the CV of each behavior and ADG. Daily time spent resting or grazing exhibited the least day-to-day variation in both W and LS (CV resting =10.8 and 9.9%, respectively; CV grazing =13.8 and 14.8%, respectively); predawn area explored (CV =240.8%) and time spent at drinkers (CV =336.6%) exhibited the most daily variation in W and LS, respectively. During W, increasing day-to-day variation in daytime distance traveled and area explored, as well as daily time spent traveling were associated with increasing ADG (r = 0.56 to 0.58; P < 0.05). In LS, steers with greater CV for 24-h area explored, time spent traveling, or daytime distance traveled tended to gain less weight (r =-0.77 to -0.84; P < 0.01), while steers with more flexible 24 hour path sinuosity tended to gain more weight (r = 0.93; P < 0.01). Behavior metrics more closely associated with forage intake processes, such as daily time spent grazing or resting, exhibited lowest diel variation levels and could be used to diagnose non-normal behavior of cattle on rangeland.
Abstract
The study’s objective was to investigate the use of Internet of Things (IoT) biosensors using Long Range Wide Area Network (LoRa-WAN) communication to compare the foraging behavior of two ...desert adapted cattle breeds. Two groups of mature Brangus (BA) and Raramuri Criollo (RC) cows were introduced into a small irrigated pasture (38ha) at the New Mexico State University’s Clayton Livestock Research Center during Dec-Jan, 2021 (41-days). The real-time position and activity count data (15- and 1-minute interval, respectively) were retrieved continuously from 4 BA and 5 RC cows collared with commercially available trackers (Abeeway Industrial-trackers). Response variables derived from GPS records included daily distance traveled (Dist) and daily area explored (Area). Response variables derived from accelerometers included daily percentage motion (%Act) and cumulative activity data (CumAct). All variables were grouped into six consecutive weekly periods and analyzed by a repeated measures mixed model that included the fixed effects of BREED, WEEK, and the BREED*WEEK interaction in a completely randomized design. A significant (P< 0.01) BREED*WEEK interaction was detected on all GPS-derived variables, with RC exhibiting a trend to explore larger areas than BA (P=0.06). For the accelerometer-derived variables, the BREED*WEEK interaction was only significant (P=0.01) for CumAct. Overall, BA spent a larger percentage of the day active (%Act; BA= 76.74 vs. RC= 73.16; P=0.02), while investing a significantly greater overall activity (CumAct; BA= 8816.63 vs. RC= 6311.31; P=0.03) compared to RC cows. The insensitivity of GPS-derived variables is hypothesized to be the result of aggregating errors associated with less frequent GPS location measurements coupled with position errors (~5m) and a low success rate of data packet transmission (~40%). The spatial scale of the study is hypothesized to have influenced the foraging behavior differences that were observed between the breeds, and the better performance of the accelerometer vs. GPS-derived variables.
We compared foraging habits, heat tolerance, and mothering style of heritage (Raramuri Criollo, RC) vs. commercial (Angus Hereford Crossbred, AH) beef cattle grazing Chihuahuan Desert rangeland. A ...group of eleven cows of each breed grazed separately in two adjacent pastures in a crossover design for four weeks in summer and winter during three consecutive years. A subgroup of individuals in each herd were fitted with sensors to track their location (GPS collars), body temperature (iButton loggers), and cow-calf contact events (Proximity loggers). Compared to AH, RC cows traveled farther at higher velocity, spent less time resting, more time grazing and traveling, and explored larger areas either individually or compared to its herd. RC cows exhibited a keener ability to select patches of the pasture with differing surface temperature and greenness compared to AH counterparts. RC cows showed higher preference for patches with high shrub density and avoided areas with high density of black grama during dormancy. During summer, elevated ambient temperatures in the Chihuahuan Desert appear to impose fewer constraints on heritage RC movement patterns. RC cows maintained a lower body temperature than their AH counterparts. RC calves appeared to impose fewer constraints on their dams’ movement and activity patterns. Nursing RC dams covered a daily grazing area almost three times larger than that of their AH counterparts. Differences in foraging strategies documented in this study provide support for the hypothesis that Raramuri Criollo cattle likely impose a lighter footprint on desert rangeland relative to commonly raised commercial beef cattle. Additional research will be needed to test this hypothesis.
We studied foraging patterns of Raramuri Criollo (heritage breed, “RC”) and Angus x Hereford (commercial beef breed, “AH”) cows in relation to ambient heat and body temperature during summer (2016 ...and 2017) and winter (2017 and 2018) in the Chihuahuan Desert. Cows of each breed grazed separately in two adjacent pastures (~1100 ha) in a crossover design for four weeks in each season/year. Animals were fitted with temperature loggers attached to blank CIDRs (Controlled Internal Drug Release device) devoid of hormones that recorded body temperature (BodyT), and GPS collars that recorded position and ambient temperature (CollarT). All sensor data were logged at 10 min intervals. A landscape thermal map (LandT) was developed from Landsat satellite imagery for habitat analysis using GPS locations chosen by individual collared cows, and air temperature (AirT) was recorded by a nearby weather station. Data were analyzed within four daytime segments: dawn (sunrise – 9AM); pre-noon (9AM – noon); post-noon (noon – 3PM); and dusk (3PM – sunset). ANOVA was used to determine whether BodyT, CollarT, LandT selection, or animal movement variables within each of the four daily segments differed (P < 0.05) for RC vs. AH cows. BodyT and CollarT increased as day progressed in both seasons. During summer, RC had lower BodyT and higher CollarT than AH (P < 0.05) during the hottest hours of the day. Increasing AirT throughout the day was associated with selection of cooler LandT in RC but not AH during summer. In winter, both breeds selected warmer landscape locations as the day progressed. Compared to AH, RC cows traveled farther, at higher velocities, and spent more time grazing and traveling and less time resting, with largest breed differences observed during the hottest hours of summer days. These results suggest that Raramuri Criollo cows exhibited higher thermotolerance than did AH. Elevated ambient summer temperatures in the Chihuahuan Desert appear to impose fewer constraints on heritage RC movement patterns compared to mainstream commercial AH cows.
•Ranching in a hotter and drier southwestern United States will require the use of adapted cattle genetics.•Raramuri Criollo (heritage breed) cows maintained lower body temperature during the hottest hours of summer afternoons.•Raraumri Criollo cows either maintained or increased activity rates during hot afternoon vs. cool morning hours.•Heritage cattle breeds could help ranchers adapt to hotter and drier environmental conditions.
Climate change is amplifying the spatiotemporal heterogeneity of desert rangeland forages through its impact on precipitation variability. Foraging behavior plasticity (an animal's ability to alter ...its behavior to cope with environmental variation) could be a key trait for climate adaptation of beef cattle in arid environments. We analyzed GPS-derived movement and activity data of Criollo and commercial beef cattle from eight studies conducted at sites in North and South America to determine whether seasonal and year-to-year behavior plasticity varied significantly between breeds. We calculated dormant/brown season or driest year percent change in foraging behavior relative to growing/green season or wettest year. Compared to commercial beef breeds, Criollo cattle exhibited significantly greater seasonal adjustment in daily distance traveled (20% increase vs. 2% decrease, P ≤ 0.02) and daily grazing effort (25% vs. 1.5% increase, P = 0.01) during the dormant/brown vs. growing/green season. Increase in daily area explored during the dormant/brown season was almost three times greater in Criollo vs. commercial beef cattle (P = 0.09). Seasonal adjustment in daily time spent grazing was similar for Criollo and commercial beef breeds. Increase in daily area explored during the dormant/brown season of dry vs. wet years was three times greater for Criollo vs. commercial beef breeds (P = 0.03). Criollo cattle tended (P = 0.09) to exhibit greater behavior adjustment than commercial beef counterparts in daily distance traveled during the dormant/brown season of dry vs. wet years (22% vs. 4% increase, respectively). No breed differences in adjustment of time spent grazing (P = 0.36) or grazing effort (P = 0.20) during dormant/brown season of dry vs. wet years were observed. Dry vs. wet year grazing behavior adjustments during the growing/green season were similar for both breeds. Grazing behavior plasticity observed in Criollo cows could be a critical trait for desert beef herds in the face of increasingly variable rainfall patterns occurring as a result of climate change.
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