Commercial Livestock Farming Research Articles

Processing of Larvae of Alphitobius diaperinus and Tenebrio molitor in Cooked Sausages: Effects on Physicochemical, Microbiological, and Sensory Parameters

Proteins from insect production represent an interesting (environmentally friendly) option or supplement to commercial livestock farming. At present, however, the larval stages of T. molitor (mealworm) and A. diaperinus (buffalo worm) have been authorized as food for human consumption EU-wide, as have the nymph and adult stages of Locusta (L.) migratoria (Locusta migratoria, Linnaeus, 1758) and Acheta (A.) domesticus (house cricket, Acheta domesticus, Linnaeus, 1758). However, there is the problem that insects that are recognizable as a whole tend to be avoided by consumers, especially in the European region, as they are reminiscent of living things and can cause aversion and disgust in consumers. Against this background, in the present study, five batches of two types of cooked sausages were produced: on the one hand, with turkey, and on the other hand, with pork lean meat as a base. In different formulations, 10% and 20% of the meat contents (turkey or pork) in these meat products were replaced by deep-frozen, pulverized T. molitor and A. diaperinus larvae. The effects of the addition of these insects in the products on the microbiological and physicochemical parameters of these cooked sausages, compared to a product without insect content, directly after heating, were investigated. After production, a storage trial was also carried out to determine whether possible insect ingredients could influence the growth of inoculated bacterial species (Bacillus (B.) cereus, Escherichia (E.) coli, Listeria (L.) monocytogenes, and Campylobacter (C.) jejuni) and how the addition of insect larvae affectsthe sensory and physicochemical properties during storage. The study showed that the products with insects had reduced lightness (turkey p C = 0.025), increased yellowness (pork p S = 0.0009, p C < 0.0001 and turkey p C = 0.0027) and a reduced red color (pork p S < 0.0001, p C = 0.0001) after heating when compared to the cooked sausages without insects. However, no significant differences between the various cooked sausages with or without insects in terms of cooking loss, firmness, and protein, ash, and fat or water contents were found. The microbiological tests showed, on the one hand, that the prior microbial reduction (e.g., in the form of blanching) of the insect larvae was essential in order to guarantee the flawless microbiological quality of the cooked sausages and, on the other hand, that the addition of insects to the cooked sausages did not significantly affect the growth of the inoculated bacterial species and that no sensory differences could be detected during storage. Despite the significant color effects on the product, A. diaperinus and T. molitor larvae would be suitable as protein or meat alternatives in cooked sausages, but they would have to undergo pre-treatment, primarily with regard to microbiological safety. The extent to which a complete replacement of meat is possible has to be investigated in further studies.

Accelerated Data Engine: A faster dataset construction workflow for computer vision applications in commercial livestock farms

Large-scale, high-quality dataset was the foundation of developing advanced artificial intelligence applications. However, creating such a benchmark dataset in a professional field, such as precision management of animals, was always a challenge because of the costly and labor-intensive process of annotation and review. This study introduced a novel workflow named Accelerated Data Engine (ADE), designed to efficiently produce representative and high-quality computer vision datasets from raw animal surveillance footage. By incorporating referring and grounding models (R&G models) as auto-annotators, along with a distillation mechanism for dataset-auditors, ADE significantly speeded up the dataset construction process. The new workflow received natural language inputs as referrals to identify animal instances, delineated their body shapes, and then refined the auto-annotated data through a selection process. To demonstrate the efficacy of ADE, three 30-minute surveillance video samples featuring pigs, sheep, and cattle were discussed in this study. The results indicated the R&G models effectively annotated animals across various farms, while distillation mechanisms could identify various detection errors, balance the data representations, refine annotations, and verify the data quality. Two high-quality cattle datasets (6.5 k and 486 frames), including 26 k and 2.5 k cattle instances, were generated through the ADE workflow from 24-hour surveillance videos on a commercial cattle farm and made publicly available. The proposed dataset has achievable performance between 74.6 %∼84.1 %. The ADE workflow saved 78.4 % of manual work compared to the traditional dataset construction workflow (approximately 141 h). This pioneering approach empowered the fast creation of benchmark animal datasets and would enhance computer vision applications in the livestock production industry in the future.

Estimating the effects of land abandonment on mammal communities in the Karoo region of South Africa

Small livestock production has significantly transformed natural land within South Africa, but the extent and nature of the impacts of this land use on wildlife remains poorly understood. The establishment of a formal protected area (PA) within a well-established small livestock farming area in the Karoo provided a unique opportunity to investigate the response of mammal communities to both sustained farming impacts and how the cessation of farming activities across a large area may impact the persistence and colonisation of highly mobile species. Through extensive camera trapping and a dynamic multi-species occurrence model within a (Before-After-Control-Intervention) BACI design, we investigated the community diversity and structure of medium and large mammals in addition to changes in their persistence and colonisation following this land use change. Camera traps detected 25 species, from 14 families, within the combined study area. Community-level and species-specific probability of colonisation and persistence did not differ significantly between land that remained in use for commercial livestock farming and that which was abandoned to form a new protected area. Farmer concerns that predators would leave the PA and colonise their farms were not supported. Long term monitoring of these sites will prove important to our understanding of the potential of land, subject to prolonged livestock farming, to recover and support higher levels of species richness and wildlife abundance.

Achieving operational resilience through kaizen practice: a case in a commercial livestock farm in Nigeria

PurposeThis study is focused on achieving operational resilience through the practices of kaizen across the operational structure. The research is based on a case study of a commercial livestock farm in Nigeria. The study views the practice of kaizen from the perspective of the commitment of the members of the case study organisation who are directly involved with the operations of the organisation.Design/methodology/approachThe study applies a qualitative approach to explore the topic, engaging members of the case study organisation in the research to gather relevant data on the implementation of kaizen practices and the drive to attain resilience in the case study organisation. Semi-structured personal interviews and workshops were used for data collection. The study adopts systems theory to explore the topic, identifying and engaging relevant stakeholders.FindingsParts of the findings relating to kaizen are the issues with the livestock production process, aggressive leadership and the issue of livestock mortality in the case study organisation. These were discussed based on extant literature. The study affirms the importance of organisational members' commitment and adequate leadership support to achieve sustainable kaizen practices. The study highlights the need to align kaizen practices with relevant organisational practices, such as reward systems and contextual requirements for its implementation in an operational process. The study suggests that further study can focus on the dynamics of the legal system on the implementation of kaizen, especially from a developing economic background like Nigeria, where this study was conducted.Originality/valueThe study projects learning about the spatial factors that can affect the practices of kaizen in critical sectors like livestock management.

Fatty acid and conjugated linoleic acid content of Anatolian buffaloes at different muscle types and slaughter weight.

This research was performed to detect tissue fatty acid (FA) composition and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) content in Anatolian buffaloes at different muscle types (MTs) and slaughter weights (SWs). The research was carried out on a private commercial livestock farm in Tokat. The research's animal material comprised 20 Anatolian buffalo calves with approximately 100kg body weights, weaned at about 150days of age.Before the experiment started, the calves were randomly dividedinto two slaughter groups (SW) as low weight (LW=225 kg) and high weight (HW=325 kg). Ten calves from each of the two experimental groups, which were intensively fed, were slaughtered in two different weights. After the slaughtering, FA composition and CLA content of the Semimembranosus (SM), Semitendinosus (ST), and Triceps brachii (TB) muscle tissues of the animals were examined. The study determined that palmitoleic acid (C16:1) and stearic acid (C18:0) were affected by MTs and oleic acid (C18:1) and α-linolenic acid (C18:3 n-3) were affected by SW (P < 0.05). The highest CLA was in the ST muscle type (0.298) and the LW group (0.289) of the SW groups (P > 0.05). With the increase of SW (in LW and HW groups), n-6/n3 (SM: 7.783 and 6.533; ST: 8.115 and 7.859; TB: 8.416 and 8.215) (P > 0.05) and PUFA ratio decreased (P < 0.05). The SW increase raised the SFA ratio in the SM muscle (P < 0.05) while lowering it in the TB muscle (P > 0.05). Again, with the increase in SW, AI and TI values increased in SM and ST muscles, while the same index values decreased in TB muscle (P > 0.05). In conclusion,when considering the PUFA/SFA ratio and the beneficial effects of CLAs on human health, ST in the MT and LW groups in SW, and thus ST and LW in MT and SW were prominent in Anatolian buffaloes.

Systems Approach to Address Human Resource Issues: A Case in a Commercial Livestock Farm in Southern Nigeria

This paper focused on human resource issues in a private sector organization. The study adopted a qualitative approach, using Systemic Intervention to identify and develop solutions to tackling human resource issues through the engagement of relevant stakeholders in the organizational operations. Interviews, workshops, and boundary critique were used for data collection. Collected data were sorted for thematic analysis. Critical issues identified in the research process included frequent junior staff turnover challenges, general human resource security, junior staff’s educational qualification, and irregular work schedule. Findings showed that joint participation in the research process enables learning among participants from across the case study organization structure. It also provided a significant platform for the exploration of diverse opinions and perspectives of participants. A reflection on the qualitative methodology showed the usefulness of combining techniques and methods from different methods in addressing complex human resource issues. However, it is noted that the implementation of developed solutions requires continuous evaluation to maintain effectiveness in systemic intervention. The study concluded with the suggestion for further research to use various methods to explore the influence(s) of external factors on internal human resource challenges, especially in the private sector and a developing economy such as Nigeria.

Implementing just-in-time inventory management to address contextual operational issues: a case study of a commercial livestock farm in southern Nigeria

PurposeThis research focuses on the implementation of Just-in-Time (JIT) inventory management, drawing on a case study of a commercial livestock farm located in a swampy area of southern Nigeria.Design/methodology/approachThe research adopts a qualitative approach. Interviews and workshops were used for data collection.FindingsFindings from the study reveal that the commitment on the internal organisational members and skilful collaboration with supply chain partners are required for effective use of JIT, especially in an odd contextual situation such as the case in this study. This also justifies the embraced of additional cost of securing JIT inventory management practices such as the situation in the case study organisation that could not allow conventional inventory management.Originality/valueIt is suggested for further research to consider the topic from a mixed method approach as well as extend the focus on the possibility of legal regulations and government support to exceptional operational practices among organisations, especially those in the context of the food production sector, where this research was based.

Debating animal agriculture in contemporary India: Ethics, politics, ecologies

This paper investigates social science literatures and public discourse on animal-based food systems in India to examine how social, ecological, and animal justice concerns are addressed (or not). The Indian livestock sector is estimated to be the largest in the world, with significant implications for local and planetary natures and the individual animals that compose the sector. The intensification of livestock production in India has unfolded alongside serious, often violent, sectarian conflicts around meat and cow protection. In this paper, I discuss how scholarly and public debates have been centred on the cultural roots of vegetarianism, the right-wing contours of political bans on cow slaughter, beef, and eggs, while issues relating to the more-than-human impacts of animal agriculture have remained marginal. The paper brings these analyses together with an examination of the intensification of animal agriculture in the country, and the consequent animal, ecological, and social vulnerabilities. Through this multi-optic account of animalbased food systems in India, I argue that the single-optic focus on cows, consumption (of meat) and related identity politics has produced serious lacunae in scholarship and public debate in the form of the overlooking of the multiple, intersecting impacts of commercial livestock farming on social, ecological, and animal wellbeing. In the backdrop of global worry about animal agriculture, the paper inspects the role of the social sciences in creating possibilities for considered engagement with the plural justice implications of India’s rapidly intensifying livestock landscapes.

Futuristic Non-antibiotic Therapies to Combat Antibiotic Resistance: A Review.

The looming problem of resistance to antibiotics in microorganisms is a global health concern. The drug-resistant microorganisms originating from anthropogenic sources and commercial livestock farming have posed serious environmental and health challenges. Antibiotic-resistant genes constituting the environmental “resistome” get transferred to human and veterinary pathogens. Hence, deciphering the origin, mechanism and extreme of transfer of these genetic factors into pathogens is extremely important to develop not only the therapeutic interventions to curtail the infections, but also the strategies to avert the menace of microbial drug-resistance. Clinicians, researchers and policymakers should jointly come up to develop the strategies to prevent superfluous exposure of pathogens to antibiotics in non-clinical settings. This article highlights the present scenario of increasing antimicrobial-resistance in pathogenic bacteria and the clinical importance of unconventional or non-antibiotic therapies to thwart the infectious pathogenic microorganisms.

Value stream mapping, a tool for optimum implementation of systemic lean intervention: a case study of a livestock commercial farm in Nigeria

The strive to achieve development and sustenance values have dominated operational practice in recent years. This research is focused on the implementation of value stream mapping in a systemic intervention. The research adopts a case study of a commercial livestock farm. It involves the joint participation of organisation members in a process of identification of challenging issues in the operational process of the case study organisation and the development of value adding solutions, towards the achievement of set objectives. Findings show that the productive engagement of the affected stakeholder guarantees commitment to the effective development and alignment of values in the operational process.

Addressing operational complexities through re-inventing leadership style: A systemic leadership intervention

This research investigates leadership practice in private organisations in Nigeria. It focuses on learning about the application of leadership styles to address operational complexities in organisations. The research is based on a case study of a commercial livestock farm in Nigeria using systemic intervention as the methodology. Data collection tools, such as a workshop, semi-structured interviews, boundary setting and participant observation, were applied. Key leadership issues identified in the case study were addressed via the creation of an effective approach from different leadership underpinnings. Part of the findings is the difficulty in sustaining the implementation of a particular leadership style(s) due to unstructured nature of complexities involved in the determination of suitable leadership style at different stages of the research. The research wrapped up with the suggestion for further research on systemic leadership intervention to consider exploring the public sector, as well as the need to further review on the use of CATWOE in the research process, to avoid the occurrence of marginalisation in its apllication.

The Effect of Land-Use on Herbaceous Production and Grazing Capacity in the Molopo District of the North West Province, South Africa

There are three main types of rangeland management systems in South Africa, namely commercial livestock farming, communal livestock farming and game farming. In commercial farming you normally find one manager/owner with a specific management plan, whilst communal farming is characterized by numerous land users with no specific management plan. The communal areas are also normally overstocked and this overstocking leads to rangeland degradation. In this study the effect of two land-uses (commercial and communal) on herbaceous production and grazing capacity were studied. It was clear from the results that the herbaceous production of the communal rangelands was lower than that of the commercial rangelands. The grazing capacity figures showed that sustainable farming practices were also not possible if the communal rangeland is in a poor condition – this was not even possible in good rainfall years.

Value stream mapping, a tool for optimum implementation of Systemic Lean Intervention: A case study of a livestock commercial farm in Nigeria

The strive to achieve development and sustenance values have dominated operational practice in recent years. This research is focused on the implementation of value stream mapping in a systemic intervention. The research adopts a case study of a commercial livestock farm. It involves the joint participation of organisation members in a process of identification of challenging issues in the operational process of the case study organisation and the development of value adding solutions, towards the achievement of set objectives. Findings show that the productive engagement of the affected stakeholder guarantees commitment to the effective development and alignment of values in the operational process.

Using Camera Traps to Generate a Species Inventory for Medium-Sized and Large Mammals in South West Zimbabwe

We investigated the presence of medium-sized and large mammals utilizing by-catch data from a camera trapping survey in the Mangwe District in South West Zimbabwe, an unprotected commercial livestock farming area which is impacted by human encroachment, poaching and trophy hunting. The camera trapping survey was carried out from 23 October to 5 December 2009, covered an area of 200 km2 and was initially intended to estimate the population density of leopards (Panthera pardus). The study area was split into two contiguous subsections, with each section sampled for a total of 20 days using 20 cameras. Camera trap photographs were identified to species level, then compared to a list of species thought to occur in the area according to available literature, as well as sightings from professional hunters and local landowners. Twenty-seven out of 38 medium-sized and large mammals thought to occur in the area were photographed. After 26 survey days (day six in section two), all ungulate species present in the area were photographed. However, the more elusive and less common carnivore species were not all recorded during the study. Both spotted (Crocuta crocuta) and brown hyaenas (Parahyaena brunnea) were once thought to be locally extinct or transient in the area but our results demonstrate that they may now be resident. Species inventories are useful to record species presence, particularly in data-poor areas where limited information exists. In areas where trophy hunting and poaching are high, like the Mangwe District, such information is critical to carefully monitor populations and allow for assessment of future management interventions.

Exploring the Potency of Rich Pictures in a Systemic Lean Intervention Process

This paper explores the usefulness of rich pictures as a method in Systemic Lean Intervention (SLI) process. It combines Lean and Systems Thinking analytical tools. Lean emerged with the main objectives of waste identification and removal in an operational system - which is synonymous to cost reduction, and value maximization. The research focuses on the use of rich pictures alongside lean tools such as workshop and interviews in a participatory research process, involving the identified stakeholders who are affected by the operational process. The research applies these tools with the intent to recognise the impacts of the various parts that function together in the operational process. A single case study organisation of a commercial Livestock farm in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria was used. The research found out that the application of rich pictures could be influenced by certain factors like the participants’ interest, power and authority possession of some participants, familiarity with the issues considered, and the participants’ level of background knowledge on the usage of rich pictures. Rich pictures were also found to be time-consuming in its interpretation and application to addressing identified issues.

Impact of cattle grazing on temperate coastal salt marsh soils

AbstractOver the last two decades, grazing intensity has increased in the temperate salt marshes of Samborombón Bay (Argentina) due to agricultural expansion and the displacement of domestic livestock to these areas. We investigated the effect of cattle grazing on soil chemical and physical properties in the higher (HE), medium (ME) and lower (LE) elevation levels of this temperate salt marsh. Soil data were collected from both a National Park, where cattle grazing has been excluded for more than 35 yrs, and an adjacent commercial livestock farm continuously grazed by cattle. We found that soil salinity was greater on the grazed than on the ungrazed sites, especially those in the ME and LE. This could be related to the upward flow of salts from the saline groundwater, driven by the increase in the proportion of bare soil on grazed sites. The increase in soil salinity changed the plant community structure through the increase of salt‐tolerant and non‐palatable species and the decrease of palatable species. Soil physical variables (soil bulk density and soil bearing capacity) were also higher on the grazed than on the ungrazed sites, which can be related to the decrease in soil organic matter (SOM), and suggest an incipient compaction process; however, the values were still lower than those considered critical for plant growth in clay soils. These results suggest that continuous grazing management in this temperate salt marsh might have negative consequences for animal production and ecosystem conservation, mainly related to the increased soil salinity. Further research will be necessary to evaluate the suitability of switching to intermittent grazing management.

Dynamics of Livestock Sector and Challenges of Water Resource in India

Livestock husbandry is an integral part of life of people in the agrarian economies. Livestock sector contributes significantly in the agricultural GDP of India. A large section of rural population in India is directly or indirectly related with livestock sector for various reasons. Moreover, livestock is a major source of employment generation, food and nutrients, draught power, manure for agricultural use etc. Present study elaborates the various aspects of growth of livestock and its impact on water resources in India. The growth of livestock during 1992 to 2007 and spatial distribution has been analyzed and resulting water demand in the country for various species of livestock has been calculated on the basis of per day consumption of water in all the states of India. Livestock in India has grown with a tune of 11.92 percent during 1992-2007 while the water demand for livestock is 24483.64 cubic metres per day in the country. The study has indicated that increase in number of livestock would exert an enormous pressure on water resources of country and responsible for decrease in water availability for the people in future.The present work would be very much helpful to agricultural planners in decision making process for diversification of agriculture and keeping in mind the demand of water for livestock as well as crops in India. The study will also attract the multinational companies to invest in commercial livestock farming in different agro climatic conditions.

Pastoralism in Africa: past, present and future

Chapter 1. Specialisation and Diversification among African Pastoral Societies Michael Bollig and Michael Schnegg PART A: THE PREHISTORY OF PASTORALISM IN AFRICA Chapter 2. Herders Before Pastoralism - Prehistoric Prelude in the Eastern Sahara Rudolph Kuper and Heiko Riemer Chapter 3. 'I hope Your Cattle Are Well' - Archaeological Evidence for Early Cattle-Centred Behaviour in the Eastern Sahara of Sudan and Chad Friederike Jesse, Birgit Keding, Tilman Lenssen-Erz and Nadja Poellath Chapter 4. Trajectories to Pastoralism in Northern and Central Kenya: an Overview of the Archaeological and Environmental Evidence Paul Lane Chapter 5. From first Stock Keepers to Specialised Pastoralists in the West African Savanna Veerle Linseele Chapter 6. A Short History of Early Herding in Southern Africa Karim Sadr PART B: HISTORICAL AND CONTEMPORARY DYNAMICS OF PASTORALISM Chapter 7. Establishing a Pre-Colonial 'Modern' Cattle and Gun Society: (Re-)pastoralisation, Mercantile Capitalism and Power Amongst Herero in Nineteenth Century Central Namibia Dag Henrichsen Chapter 8. The Emergence of Commercial ranching Under State Control and the Encapsulation of Pastoralism in African Reserves Christo Botha Chapter 9. Land, Boreholes and Fences: the Development of Commercial Livestock Farming in the Outjo District, Namibia Ute Dieckmann Chapter 10. The Political Ecology of Specialisation and Diversification: Long-term Dynamics of Pastoralism in East Pokot District, Kenya Michael Bollig and Matthias OEsterle Chapter 11. Social-Ecological Change and Institutional Development in a Pastoral Community in North-Western Namibia. Michael Bollig Chapter 12. Pastoral Belonging: Causes and Consequences of Part-Time Pastoralism in North-Western Namibia Michael Schnegg, Julia Pauli and Clemens Greiner PART C: VIOLENCE, TRADE AND CONSERVATION AND PASTORALISM IN AFRICA Chapter 13. State, Conflict and Pastoralism in Contemporary Eastern Chad: The Case of Zaghawa-Tama Relationships Babett Janszky and Grit Jungstand Chapter 14. Unofficial Trade When States are Weak: The Case of Cross-Border LivestockTrade in the Horn of Africa Peter D. Little Chapter 15. Pastoralism and Trans-Saharan Trade: Transformation of a Historical Trade Route between Eastern Chad and Libya Meike Meerpohl Chapter 16. Pastoralism and Nature Conservation in Southern Africa Susanne Berzborn and Martin Solich PART D: PASTORAL MODERNITIES IN AFRICA Chapter 17. The Indigenization of Pastoral Modernity: Territoriality, Mobility, and Poverty in Dryland Africa John G. Galaty

Comparative growth performance of Kajli lambs suckling their dams or offered buffalo-milk, cow-milk or milk replacer during pre-weaning period

Kajli, is one of the most beautiful sheep breeds of Pakistan. Because of their beauty, Kajli lambs are sold at a higher price than those of other breeds with similar weight. With the increasing trend in commercial livestock farming, young Kajli lambs are purchased from the open market and reared up to Eid-ul-Adha (The Muslim Sacrificial Day). Information on feeding cost and growth performance on artificial rearing is important for the breed lovers and for a commercial enterprise. The present study aimed at generating basic information on feeding cost and growth performance of Kajli lambs offered milk replacer, cow-milk, and buffalo-milk, in comparison with those suckling directly from their dams. Fifty-six healthy Kajli lambs both male and female (with equal sex ratio) born at the Livestock Experimental Station, Khushab, Punjab, Pakistan during spring 2013 remained with their mothers for 1 week and were then divided into four groups of 14 animals each. Lambs in Group I were allowed to suckle their dams ad libitum, twice daily until 8 weeks and then once daily from 9 to 12 weeks. Lambs were weighed before and after suckling to calculate milk consumption. Lambs in the other three treatments were offered buffalo-milk, cow-milk or milk replacer at the rate of 10% of bodyweight until the 8th week and then gradually reduced to zero by the end of the 12th week. All lambs were offered starter ration from the 5th week of age in individual pens. The data on milk and starter intake, weekly bodyweight and blood glucose were analysed through MIXED procedures of SAS using repeated-measures analysis, and average daily gain (ADG), total weight gain, weaning weight and feeding cost were analysed using a completely randomised design. Least square means of ADG (g/day) and total weight gain (kg) were similar (P &gt; 0.05) in direct suckling lambs and lambs offered buffalo-milk (175 and 151, and 14.5 and 12.5, respectively), and were higher (P &lt; 0.05) than those offered cow-milk (118 and 10.4) or milk replacer (94 and 7.7). Feeding cost (per kg of liveweight) was highest (PKR 535) in lambs fed milk replacer and was lower (P &gt; 0.05) in the other three groups. The cost of rearing lambs on buffalo-milk tended to be lower (PKR 375) than those offered cow-milk. In the absence of ewe’s milk, rearing Kajli lambs on buffalo-milk during the pre-weaning period therefore seems to be a better alternative.

Effect of cattle grazing on soil salinity and vegetation composition along an elevation gradient in a temperate coastal salt marsh of Samborombón Bay (Argentina)

Salt marshes of Samborombon Bay (Argentina) have been grazed sporadically at very low stocking rates, but in the last decade, grazing intensity increased due to agriculture expansion. We investigated the effect of cattle grazing on vegetation and soil salinity on the most extended Spartina densiflora community. This community develops along an elevation gradient where the frequency and duration of tidal flooding and soil salinity increased as elevation decreased. Vegetation and soil data were collected from a national park excluded to cattle grazing for 30 years and from an adjacent commercial livestock farm continuously grazed by cattle. As elevation level decreased, plant cover, richness and diversity of functional groups and species decreased. As we expected, grazing altered soil salinity and vegetation composition in different extent along the elevation gradient. Grazing changed vegetation structure more intensively in the high elevation level because it reduced the competitive exclusion exerted by S. densiflora, allowing the increase in floristic richness. Grazing increased soil salinity and the contribution of salt-tolerant species only in the medium but not in the low elevation level probably because the higher frequency and duration of tidal flooding counterbalanced the increase in evaporation promoted by biomass removal in the low respect to the medium elevation level. While grazing may cause positive impacts for plant conservation in the high elevation level, it may cause negative consequence for livestock production because of the reduction in forage quality along the entire elevation gradient.