Cows Protect Sheep From Coyotes
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You've probably heard about sheep farmers who put donkeys, llamas, emus, or exotic guard dogs out on pasture with sheep to protect them from coyotes. Now USDA researchers say the best solution to coyote problems may be the simplest - just put sheep together with cattle on pasture.
In a 3-year study on a ranch in New Mexico, where sheep flock losses had been as high as 50 percent, casualties were reduced to zero by putting cattle together with sheep.
Range scientist Dean Anderson at the Jornada Experimental Range near Las Cruces, says training sheep to bond with cows was inexpensive, especially when compared with the costs of fencing or maintaining other non-revenue-producing guard animals. To train sheep and cattle to graze together, the researchers started by penning seven young sheep and three calves together for a bonding period. Then more sheep and cattle were gradually added. Anderson says once on pasture, the cattle become fierce protectors of the sheep in their herds.
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Cows Protect Sheep From Coyotes LIVESTOCK Beef 18-2-39 You've probably heard about sheep farmers who put donkeys, llamas, emus, or exotic guard dogs out on pasture with sheep to protect them from coyotes. Now USDA researchers say the best solution to coyote problems may be the simplest - just put sheep together with cattle on pasture.
In a 3-year study on a ranch in New Mexico, where sheep flock losses had been as high as 50 percent, casualties were reduced to zero by putting cattle together with sheep.
Range scientist Dean Anderson at the Jornada Experimental Range near Las Cruces, says training sheep to bond with cows was inexpensive, especially when compared with the costs of fencing or maintaining other non-revenue-producing guard animals. To train sheep and cattle to graze together, the researchers started by penning seven young sheep and three calves together for a bonding period. Then more sheep and cattle were gradually added. Anderson says once on pasture, the cattle become fierce protectors of the sheep in their herds.
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