Cattle Ranching Research Articles

Population structure and conservation of the coastal palm Coccothrinax borhidiana (Arecaceae) in the northwest of Cuba

Coccothrinax borhidiana is among the top 50 most threatened plants of Cuba. This palm is endemic to Punta Guanos-Punta Seboruco, Matanzas. Given the increase of gas-oil exploitation in the area where this palm population grows, the current situation of the species could be much more serious than what is known. We characterized the population structure based on a systematic sampling of 100 plots and evaluated the existing threats for re-evaluating its conservation status and proposing a recovery strategy. We sampled 685 individuals, 44.2 % juveniles and 55.8 % adults, whose population structure in 10 size classes did not conform to a log-normal distribution. This indicates that reproduction and/or recruitment processes are reduced, due to deforestation for the gas-oil industry, road construction and the establishment of small-holder, as well as the effect of cattle ranching and frequent fires. However, the higher representation of individuals in the three smaller size classes shows regeneration, which is observed in areas abandoned by the gas-oil industry. Despite this, existing threats have significantly reduced the area of occupancy of the species, and it is estimated that it will continue to decline by up to 80 %, making the species Critically Endangered. For these reasons, immediate management actions are needed to minimize the effect of threats on C. borhidiana, as well as to secure the management and implementation of ex situ conservation strategies that will allow the establishment of a new subpopulation in a nearby and ecologically similar area, which has the necessary legal protection status.

Empirical Analysis of Enteric Pathogens in Raw Milk Sold at Aduwawa, Agbor,Asaba, Auchi and Warri, Nigeria

This study aims to investigate the prevalence of enteric pathogens in raw milk sold at Warri, Agbor, Asaba, Aduwawa and Auchi. A total of 30(fifteen samples collected twice) raw milk samples were collected from market vendors and cattle ranch in the above locations and transported in universal bottles in an ice cooler within twenty four hours to the laboratory for analysis. Bacteria identification, colony morphology & biochemical test was carried out to identify the microorganism, antibiotic sensitivity was also carried out using nutrient agar and multi-drug-disc. In the thirty samples analyzed, Escherichia coli was prevalent in all locations (31.3%, 28.5%, 42.9%, 35.7%, 35.7%) respectively for the first batch of samples analyzed. The second batch of samples analyzed indicated the following results (27.7%, 35.7%, 29.4%, 31.2%, 29.4%) respectively. The occurrence of these pathogens (Pseudomonas sp., E.coli, Proteus, Klebsiella, Salmonella and Enterobacter) in raw milk are due to several factors such as animal health, poor milking practices, and poor animal waste management. Taken together, qualitative and quantitative findings revealed that in order to ensure safety of raw milk, regulatory authorities should establish guidelines and standards based on research findings to cover the entire raw milk chain across Delta and Edo state to alleviate the risk associated with disease outbreak of raw milk. Keywords: Raw milk: Colony: Samples: Cattle: Gastroenteritis: Health: Nutrition: Nigeri

Microhabitat and patch selection detection from GPS tracking collars of semi-free ranging Mashona cattle within a semi-arid environment

Over the last 30 years, the global positioning system (GPS) tracking collars have significantly enhanced livestock grazing behavior studies. Practices designed to understand and improve livestock grazing distribution can now be accurately and cost-effectively monitored with GPS tracking. The behavior and spatiotemporal microhabitat selection of Mashona cattle relative to the season in a semi-free-range grazing system was evaluated using a low‐cost GPS herd activity monitoring (GPSHAM) collar. The GPSHAM automatically logged the position of the lead cow at 20-second intervals over a 7–hour daily grazing period. Additionally, the GPS data was complemented by visually observing the lead cow during daylight hours for nine successive days each in winter (July – August) and summer (February – March) of 2017. Summer and winter tracks were used to identify the Mashona cattle preferred grass species and hotspot areas by identifying the concentration of the GPS generated tracks and points (n ≥ 30) in each grid and were used to calculate the distance from the water source using the shortest distance to the water point from the hotspot patch (HSP). The activities of the lead cow were recorded at five-minute fixed intervals for every 60 minutes in the morning (09:00 – 10:00 hrs), afternoon (13:00 – 14:00 hrs), and evening (16:00 – 17:00 hrs). The percentage of the observation time spent on an activity for the observed animal was calculated for the duration of the observation. Results showed a significant difference in patch selection (p < 0.05) between summer and winter with 17 HSPs being identified in summer and 8 HSPs in winter. Again, the range of Mashona cattle movement was 0 – 3 km from the water source. Seasonal activity patterns varied significantly across seasons. Therefore, Mashona cattle foraging behavior depends on seasonal variation. The landscape and animal attributes responded to paddock nutritional level dynamics with more frequent use of patches with higher plant species diversity and near the water source. Our research is useful to range managers, researchers, and cattle ranchers as a guideline for forage management of cattle preferred microhabitats, pasture, and nutrition.

An Invitation to Dance

An Invitation to Dance

Interactions between Habitats of Asian Elephants and Socioeconomic Factors in the Teknaf Wildlife Sanctuary (TWS), Bangladesh

We conducted a one-year study in TWS, Bangladesh, to test socioeconomic-related impacts on the sanctuary caused by three performers marked as forest-endorsed settlers, illegal settlers, and forest-nearest villagers. The performer&amp;rsquo;s activities were marked as cattle ranching, gardening, paddy cultivation, vegetable growing, betel-leaf growing, and forest resource collection. These factors had a marked impact on the elephant&amp;rsquo;s use of fodder species, water bodies, feeding trails and resting places, as well as soil types. We revealed that 8% of the intruders were engaged in cattle ranching, 17% in gardening, 32% in paddy cultivation, 25% in vegetable growing, 6% in betel-leaf growing and 12% were forest resource collectors. These numbers were taken out of a recorded total of 26,937 incidences of forest intrusions, including forest endorse settlers (4%), illegal settlers (35%) and nearest forest villagers (61%). The disturbance rate differed statistically significantly across 6 study sites on the east coast and 4 study sites on the west coast in response to socioeconomic-related activities. Almost 2827 hectares of forestland was replaced by paddy cultivation (575 ha), vegetable growing (529 ha), betel-leaf growing (480 ha), gardening (448 ha), and illegal settlement (795 ha). Thus, a total of 11615 hectares of the sanctuary was permanently damaged, posing challenges to elephant survival.

Internal Insecurity and National Development in Nigeria: Problematizing Herdsmen and Farmers’ Conflicts in Anambra State

Internal security challenges in Nigeria, particularly herdsmen and farmers’ conflicts, have worsened over time. In Anambra state, clashes by the two groups have equally persisted. The key concern of this study was on the effect of this challenge on national development in Nigeria. In essence, the objective of this study was to examine how herdsmen and farmers’ conflicts in Anambra state have affected national development in Nigeria. To achieve the objective of this study, the following hypothesis was posed: Herdsmen and farmers’ conflicts in Anambra state have not supported national development in Nigeria. Anchored on the Eco-Violence Theory and the Deprivation, Frustration and Aggression Theory as the frameworks for analysis, the study adopted descriptive survey design and Questionnaire as instrument for data collection. Analysis of data was quantitatively carried out. Among other things, the study found out that herdsmen and farmers’ conflicts in Anambra state have some negative consequences which include loss of lives, farmlands, cattle and property; worsened level of poverty and threat to jobs. It also found out that Nigeria cannot achieve national development in the face of the recurring herdsmen and farmers’ conflicts in Anambra state as the impacts affect the rest of the country. In view of the findings, the study recommended the need for the state government to devise strategies for effective implementation of its Cattle and Other Livestock Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law 2021. It equally recommended Federal Government’s proactive intervention in ending the herdsmen and farmers’ conflicts in the state.

Genomic evaluation of hybridization in historic and modern North American Bison (Bison bison)

During the late nineteenth century North American bison underwent a significant population bottleneck resulting in a reduction in population size of over 99% and a species-level near-extinction event. Factors responsible for this destruction included indiscriminate killing, loss of access to suitable habitat, and diseases. At the nadir of this population crash, very few wild plains bison survived and were restricted to Yellowstone National Park, USA and a small number of wild wood bison remained in Wood Buffalo National Park, Canada. However, most surviving bison in the late 1800’s were maintained by cattle ranchers in private herds where hybridization between bison with various breeds of domestic cattle was often encouraged. Over the last 20 years, the legacy of this introgression has been identified using mitochondrial DNA and limited nuclear microsatellite analyses. However, no genome-wide assessment has been performed, and some herds were believed to be free of introgression based on current genetic testing strategies. Herein, we report detailed analyses using whole genome sequencing from nineteen modern and six historical bison, chosen to represent the major lineages of bison, to identify and quantitate signatures of nuclear introgression in their recent (within 200 years) history. Both low and high coverage genomes provided evidence for recent introgression, including animals from Yellowstone, Wind Cave, and Elk Island National Parks which were previously thought to be free from hybridization with domestic cattle. We employed multiple approaches, including one developed for this work, to identify putative cattle haplotypes in each bison genome. These regions vary greatly in size and frequency by sample and herd, though we detected domestic cattle introgression in all bison genomes tested. Since our sampling strategy spanned across the diversity of modern bison populations, these finding are best explained by multiple historical hybridization events between these two species with significant genetic recombination over the last 200 years. Our results demonstrate that whole genome sequencing approaches are required to accurately quantitate cattle introgression in bison.

Heartland (2007–2021 and ongoing)

<i>Heartland</i> (2007–2021 and ongoing)

Grazing management on commercial cattle ranches: Incorporating foraging ecology and biodiversity conservation principles

• Sustainable ranch management must consider not only impacts of grazing management on range condition (ecological sustainability) but also on cattle production relative to overhead costs (economic sustainability) and on biodiversity (biological sustainability). • Rates of growth and reproduction in herbivore populations are determined by access to sufficient high-quality forage and concomitant optimal nutrition during the growing season. By contrast, maintenance of body condition and survival over the dormant season is determined by access to a reserve of adequate-quality forage. • Rotational grazing systems rely on resting paddocks after grazing for sustaining rangeland productivity and desired species composition, yet a dilemma for managers is forage loses digestibility and nutrient concentration as it matures during rest periods. • Grazing cattle in large, dense herds, frequently rotated through small paddocks may also compromise nutrition by increasing competition for forage and minimizing adaptive foraging movements. The economic viability of ranches is further compromised by the installation and maintenance costs of fencing numerous small paddocks across a ranch. • We use foraging ecology principles to highlight how intensive multipaddock grazing systems can compromise cattle production while their infrastructure requirements increase overhead costs of management, thereby minimizing profits. We provide working examples of how these problems can be practically overcome while maintaining ecological sustainability.

Barriers to Adopt Biosecurity at Smallholder Farmers

Biosecurity is one of the policies of the Indonesian government that should be followed on cattle farms to maintain healthy and disease-free cattle. The objective of this research was to identify barriers to adopting biosecurity on smallholder farmers. This research was conducted in the Bone Regency. The study enlisted the participation of 115 beef cattle ranchers. The data was acquired through surveys and observation as well as in-depth interviews. There were total of 17 of questions. The Guttman scale was used to see if biosecurity precautions have been implemented. A score of 1 was given to yes, while a 0 was given to no. The data were processed using SPSS software version 23 and descriptively analyzed by using frequency and percentage table. The results of this research showed that the cattle farmers were dominated by men. The respondents were mostly between the ages of 41 and 50 (58.26%). The majority of the respondents had completed primary school (55.65%). According to the family size, 74.78% of respondents have less than 5 dependents. The experience of raising cattle was dominated by those with fewer than 10 years of experience (60.00%). Mixed farming (87.83%) was the most common way for respondents to make a living. The majority of farmers have less than 5 head (79.13%). Only 33.04% of respondents who did the sanitation of the cage and 84.35% of the cages did not have a fence. The acquired cattle were not quarantined in 93.04% of the cases. The cowshed was opened to the public in 97.38% of cases. The research revealed that the primary barriers to biosecurity adoption were a lack of knowledge (64.35%), insufficient time (20.87%) and high cost (14.78%).

Beef–cattle ranching in the Paraguayan Chaco: typological approach to a livestock frontier

The Paraguayan Chaco has experienced, in the last few decades, some of the highest rates of deforestation in the world. In parallel, this region has registered an increase in the number of cattle heads of 60% in the last decade. Taking into account the high environmental and socioeconomic impact of this expansion, the aim of this work was to reveal how Beef–cattle ranching is carried out and to establish a typology that allows us to identify the different land-use patterns followed by the ranches. Data were collected using face-to-face structured interviews of 80 ranch owners. In the region ranches co-exist that practise the cow–calf system, the whole-cycle system and the fattening system. In all cases, ranches are very large, pasture based, highly specialised in Beef–cattle and export-oriented. Three groups of ranches were identified, being the main differentiating drivers: (i) the availability of the different production factors, (ii) the distribution of total area, and (iii) the degree of intensification in the use of capital, labour and/or technology per unit of agricultural area. In addition, it is noted that the years of activity of the ranches are related to these drivers. The typology of ranches contributes to a better understanding of one of the most active livestock frontiers in the world and shows that the expansion process taking place in the Paraguayan Chaco is associated with an intensification of Beef–cattle systems. These results provide a useful approach to develop policies that regulate the expansion of the cattle frontier in the Paraguayan Chaco.

Macroinvertebrates’ response to different land use in lowland streams from Uruguay: use of artificial substrates for biomonitoring

ABSTRACT The use of macroinvertebrates as indicators of water quality is an effective and low-cost tool, which is widely implemented in biomonitoring programmes. Certain taxa are characteristic of impaired watercourses (e.g. Oligochaeta, Chironomidae and Amphipoda), while others are characteristic of good-quality watercourses (e.g. Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera; EPT). In this work, we evaluated the response of the macroinvertebrate assemblages to different land uses. For this purpose, artificial substrate colonization experiments were conducted in streams including urban (U, n = 3), intensive agriculture and dairy production (AD, n = 4) and extensive cattle ranching (CR, n = 4) land uses. Because in Uruguay pristine ecosystems are practically non-existent and streams of low order streams associated with extensive cattle production represent the lowest deterioration water quality condition, CR sites were used as control reference streams. Physicochemical water parameters were measured. For macroinvertebrate sampling, 10 artificial substrates were installed in each stream. A total of 110 artificial substrates were analysed. Each sample/site consisted of a plastic mesh bag of 1.2 cm opening, which were filled with 160 cm3 (including 73.3 ± 5.8 cm3 interstitial water) of stones sieved between 1.3 and 1.5 cm. During the summer of 2018 (February), devices were left in streams for 15 days for communities to colonize them. U and AD land use represented the stressors with the highest impact on the attributes and composition of the macroinvertebrate communities. Abundance of EPT was higher in CR, meanwhile Caenogastropoda dominated in AD, and Amphipoda in U sites. Macroinvertebrate groups to order level classification were able to effectively discriminate between different land uses. The use of artificial substrate also demonstrated to be efficient method for monitoring macroinvertebrate community. We did not find a correlation between the physicochemical water parameters and the macroinvertebrate community. In this context, we propose a rapid and cost-effective biomonitoring approach, capable of estimating the degree of impact of different land uses.

Extension services can promote pasture restoration: Evidence from Brazil’s low carbon agriculture plan

Innovation and improved practices in the livestock sector represent key opportunities tomeet global climate goals. This paper provides evidence that extension services can pro-mote pasture restoration in cattle ranching in Brazil. We use a randomized controlledtrial implemented in the context of the ABC Cerrado (a large-scale program launched in2014 aimed at fostering technology adoption through a combination of training andtechnical assistance) to examine the effects of different types of extension on agriculturalpractices, input use, and productivity. Providing technical assistance to previously trainedproducers promoted pasture restoration, induced farmers to use inputs more intensively,helped them to improve their management and soil conservation practices, and substan-tially increased revenues. A cost–benefit calculation indicates that US$1 invested in theABC Cerrado program increased profits by US$1.08 to $1.45. Incorporating carbonsavings amplifies this return considerably.

From White Horse to Boston Children's: One Anesthesiologist's Journey to Help Others Have the Same Chance

Article| March 2022 From White Horse to Boston Children's: One Anesthesiologist's Journey to Help Others Have the Same Chance Delbert J. Lamb, MD Delbert J. Lamb, MD Search for other works by this author on: This Site PubMed Google Scholar ASA Monitor March 2022, Vol. 86, 16. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.ASM.0000823048.33178.75 Views Icon Views Article contents Figures & tables Video Audio Supplementary Data Peer Review Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Cite Icon Cite Get Permissions Search Site Citation Delbert J. Lamb; From White Horse to Boston Children's: One Anesthesiologist's Journey to Help Others Have the Same Chance. ASA Monitor 2022; 86:16 doi: https://doi.org/10.1097/01.ASM.0000823048.33178.75 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Reference Manager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentAll PublicationsASA Monitor Search Advanced Search Topics: child, equidae, equus caballus My story begins near White Horse, South Dakota, a community of nearly 100 people (not 100,000, just simply 100) in the north central part of South Dakota on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation. Born and raised on a cattle ranch a few miles west of this small community, I was instilled with a strong work ethic, a sense of community, and an appreciation of my culture at a young age. This has continued throughout my life, and I am thankful to the ASA Monitor for allowing me to share the story of my journey. Neither of my parents had finished college, so to them, it was imperative that I sought out experiences that could advance my education. Early on, I remember my parents giving me the ultimatum, “either go to INMED or stay home and work on the ranch.” The summer after I was given the choice between a... You do not currently have access to this content.

A study of agricultural waste potential to support the expansion of cattle and buffalo populations in Aceh Barat District

A constant supply of feed is critical for the sustainability of cattle and buffalo ranching. Therefore, this study aims to collect data on the availability of feed made from agricultural waste to aid in the expansion of cattle and buffalo populations in the West Aceh District. It was conducted in September and October 2021 at Aceh Barat District. The secondary data were collected through the website of the Central Bureau of Statistics Indonesia and West Aceh. Furthermore, feed potential data from agricultural waste were collected from West Aceh District, cattle, and buffalo population data from the 2011 collection for buffalos, beef, and dairy cattle (PSPK). Also, cattle and buffalo population data were collected from the 2016 Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS). The data collected were then analyzed descriptively. The results showed that the West Aceh District provides only digested dry weight (BKC) from agricultural waste to meet 74.27% of the livestock population’s total BKC requirements. Additionally, only Woyla and West Woyla Sub-districts meet feed needs from agricultural waste, with 135.12% and 266.42%, respectively, based on livestock populations. Conclusively, the growth of the livestock population will result in a decrease in agricultural waste’s carrying capacity as animal feed.

Nurse species facilitate persistence of dry forests in agricultural landscapes in Uruguay

AbstractQuestionsPark forests are shaped by extensive cattle ranching in the transition between natural riverine forests and open grasslands. The underlying mechanisms driving tree regeneration have not been studied, however, they determine biodiversity, sustainability and multifunctionality of these ecosystems. We explored patterns of tree regeneration by analyzing nurse–beneficiary interactions and tree community composition.LocationPark forests within the departments of Rio Negro, Paysandú, Artigas and Tacuarembó, República Oriental del Uruguay, South America.MethodsWe established 205 (1 × 1 m2) paired plots in open microhabitat and under the tree canopy to evaluate the patterns of tree regeneration. To assess tree community composition and diversity we carried out forest inventories within one‐hectare plots of ten park forests.ResultsScattered trees in park forests had a positive effect on tree regeneration density, whereas, dense grass coverage had a negative effect. Regeneration density increased and grass cover reduced under the canopy of nurse trees. Regeneration beneficiaries were mainly bird dispersed species with different life strategies. Tree communities varied between forest types and spatially closer forests were more similar.ConclusionsOur study outlines the importance of park forest trees to the promotion of forest regeneration and recovery in grazed forests. Our results found a positive interaction effect between nurse trees and saplings, based on our results we suggested possible facilitation mechanisms including the provision of shade, reduction of grass competition and the attraction of seed dispersers.

Spatial patterns of soil salinity in the central Argentinean Dry Chaco

The Dry Chaco is a semi-arid ecoregion in South America that hosts one of the largest dry forests in the world, but expansion of dryland agriculture and cattle ranching led to gradual conversion of native vegetation to anthropogenic land cover. The potential impact of these newly established agricultural lands on the surrounding environment is of great concern. Local studies have shown that deforestation leads to changes in the soil-water balance, and can expedite groundwater rise and mobilization of water-soluble salts to the surface affecting plant growth and crop productivity. This study is a regional assessment of soil salinity and salinization processes in the central Argentinean Dry Chaco. It is based on extensive dataset of 492 surface and 142 subsurface samples taken along east-west transects across the Dry Chaco. Soil electrical conductivity (EC) was used as an indicator of salinity, and supplementary information on salt crusts was derived from Google Earth imagery. Subsurface salinity (i.e., measured at 100 cm depth) showed clear regional patterns in natural soil salinity that are related to the annual water budget and topography. Besides primary salinization due to arrested drainage and landscape stagnation, anthropogenic activities increased secondary salinization, especially in the agricultural areas with shallow groundwater tables and irrigated croplands. In addition, the study demonstrated that remotely-sensed vegetation indices such as the seasonal variation in the density of green vegetation are particularly suitable to monitor regional variation in soil salinity. Our results show that the extent of future dryland salinization in the Dry Chaco will mainly depend on whether areas prone to natural soil salinity are further protected from deforestation, and the magnitude and rate of groundwater rise after deforestation as conditioned by local climate and geomorphology. This better understanding of soil salinity patterns and how they are affected as a result of anthropogenic activities is important for the implementation of appropriate and effective measures to prevent severe salinization.

Patterns of production and sustainability of cattle ranching in the state of Pará - Brazilian Amazon

The aim of this study was to analyze the production patterns present in rural properties producing cattle in the micro-regions that make up the state of Pará. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) was applied to identify the patterns, and these data are used to evaluate correlation between the heterogeneity of rural properties and the environmental impact on the identified patterns. The theoretical contribution is based on discussions on global impacts of food production and environmental sustainability and the impacts of livestock production systems in Brazil and the Amazon. Survey data were taken from the 2017 Agricultural Census, available for the 144 municipalities in the state, and pooled into 22 micro-regions. Three patterns of rural properties were identified: the first related to conservation management practices and called transition management; the second highlights aspects associated with information technology and communication (ICT) and productivity called technical productive efficiency; the third indicates the importance of social organization and access to information called social participation. With these patterns, it was possible to develop the Traditional Performance Indicator (TPI), in which the micro-regions of São Félix do Xingu, Itaituba and Conceição do Araguaia were those with the highest values of this indicator, water protection practices are present in the properties, however, in precarious conditions, and conservation practices are rarely used. The correlation between heterogeneity, measured by the size of pasture area in each microregion, and the TPI is positive, strong and significant. In this transition context, public policies are essential to provide access to infrastructure, credit and good animal health and biotechnology practices

Effects of a grazing permit market on pastoralist behavior and overgrazing in Kenya

The success of market-based mechanisms in reducing conflicts and internalizing externalities depends on their ability to clarify property rights amongst heterogenous resource users. We investigate the effectiveness of novel markets in achieving their goals using the case study of grazing markets in Laikipia County, Kenya. In this system, sheep- and goat (shoat)- and cattle-rearing pastoralists negotiate land access for cattle with neighboring cattle ranchers. Using data on pastoralists’ livestock and contracting preferences and a model of pastoral herd management, we show that contracting for cattle grazing access on private property alters relative input shadow prices for grazing resources in communal pastoral lands, ultimately resulting in relieved cattle grazing pressure. However, the permitting process is less attractive to pastoralists who prefer rearing shoats instead of cattle. These shoat-rearing pastoralists instead fill some of the vacated space with shoats instead of purchasing permits themselves. This leakage offsets some of the conservation benefits arising from the contracting program and results in a greater share of shoats in the communal herd mix. Approximately 0.59 cows’ worth of free space persists on the commons per permit sold, indicating reduced grazing pressure, but this represents a small proportion (3.8%) of the total livestock in the system. The narrow introduction of the cattle-focused permit market and lack of strong management institutions on the commons dampen the permitting program’s conservation benefits, necessitating further interventions. Alleviating these factors and dramatically scaling up the program has the potential to turn the permitting system into a successful conservation tool.

Between Flood and Drought: Environmental Racism, Settler Waterscapes, and Indigenous Water Justice in South America’s Chaco

This article advances a novel approach to investigating geographies of settler colonialism and environmental justice through a critical physical geography (CPG) of water scarcity in the South American Chaco. Drawing from multimethod research conducted in collaboration with Enxet and Sanapaná communities in Paraguay, I evaluate how waterscape change produces social vulnerability with a focus on Indigenous access to safe drinking water. Stemming from a seemingly simple question—how have annual flood and drought events in the Chaco become malignant for Enxet and Sanapaná peoples—my analysis centers on current struggles for Indigenous rights amidst Paraguay’s booming ranching industry. I use an eclectic data set—from historical missionary accounts, seventy-two household questionnaires, mapping new waterscapes, and a political economy of cattle ranching—to show how settler waterscapes produce environmental racism by limiting Indigenous access to “good” water. I argue that the prevalence of water scarcity in Indigenous communities across the Bajo Chaco is not a natural result of biophysical geography but a socially produced outcome of how settler waterscapes rework hydrosocial relations along racial lines. CPG offers a way to bridge biophysical analysis with critical social theory to expand geographic understandings of settler colonialism and its effects on Indigenous environmental justice.