A comparison of energy flow among the grazing animals of different societies

Abstract

Domestic cattle serve a variety of purposes in human society. In most cultures they are used primarily as a source of food: either meat, milk, or both. However, in some societies products such as blood and manure are important and elsewhere cattle are important draft animals or symbols of status and prosperity. Comparisons of energy flow in Indian, Ugandan, and North American cattle reveal how these different human strategies shape the energetics of cattle herds. Despite allegations to the contrary, Indian cattle appear to be rather productive when all consumable and nonconsumable products are considered. North American range cattle are considerably more productive than Ugandan cattle; however, the latter are efficient at maintaining high biomass. Other aspects of cattle energetics demonstrate the divergence in grazing strategies used by different peoples and the ecological efficiencies of these diverse strategies.