The nutritional value of the range is maximized
by moving the herd across zones that show spatially
and temporally heterogeneous distribution of fodder.
Additionally, the animals’ capacity as feeders is
stretched beyond the natural level. While feeding
capacity has in part a genetic base (for example
the enzymatic system or the size and conformation
of the mouth), it can also be greatly affected by
learning, based on individual experience and imitation
between social partners (for example efficient
trekking and grazing behaviour and diet preferences).
Animals’ feeding motivation is manipulated through
optimizing their digestive feedback, and ensuring
best fodder quality and preferred foraging conditions.
A carefully diversified diet of grasses and browse is
favoured, in order to correct nutritional imbalances
which, particularly during the dry season, could
keep feeding motivation low by triggering negative
digestive feedback. The dry-season watering regime
is also tailored in order to hone cattle’s digestive
performance to meet the herders’ long-term strategic
goal of maximizing reproduction.