Sheep dispersal patterns on hill country: Techniques for study
and analysis
R Kilgour, A.J. Pearson and H. de Langen
Ruakura Animal Research Station, Hamilton
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Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production. 1975, 35: 191-197
A technique for recording the positions of over 50 sheep
accurately each 5 minutes for periods of two hours and longer has been
developed. Even rapid sheep movement can be successfully recorded. The
resulting data are the input to the computer programme PRS1 which
produces information about the area occupation, dispersion and movement
of the flock. Such data have been used to differentiate sheep breed
differences in relation to dispersal and movement patterns, the flocking
tendency and density characteristics, and can help to elucidate the
pattern of pasture utilization in hill country. In both short trials,
Cheviots moved further and dispersed more rapidly than the other breeds
studied.
Keywords: NZSAPAB;
Last Updated 24-08-2000
