Review: Grazing preferences in sheep and cattle: Implications for production, the environment and animal welfare

Abstract

The evolutionary and domestic ancestors of sheep and cattle will have evolved diet selection behaviours that enabled them to select a diet that met their individual nutrient requirements whilst minimising the risk of being killed through predation or by eating toxins. Modern intensive farming generally involves grazing monocultures or feeding total mixed rations and these restrict the ability of livestock to select their own diet. Research has shown that grazing sheep and cattle have a partial preference of approximately 70% for clover (when offered as a monoculture sward alongside grass), and they show a consistent diurnal pattern of preference. Dairy cattle and sheep that are given the ability to select their own diet show higher levels of production than animals grazing mixed swards. There is some evidence that animals that can select their own diet are optimising their own efficiency of nutrient capture, and this potential environmental benefit warrants further research. Further research is also needed to establish if dairy cattle “need” to graze or whether they prefer to eat prepared rations indoors. Preventing animals from expressing their innate diet preferences by feeding them mixed rations may cause frustration and so compromise animal welfare, although this hypothesis requires further research.Key words: Grazing, ruminant, preference, choice, behaviour, welfare