Applying Behavior
We often see livestock and wildlife as eating “machines” and don't understand that an animal’s history influences
its diet and habitat preferences. Animals learn from 1) social
interactions with mom, peers, and people, 2) feedback from nutrients
and toxins in plants, and 3) interactions with their physical environment
including location of water and predators.
Behavioral principles can provide solutions to problems faced by producers and land
managers. Unlike the infrastructure of a ranch
such as corrals, fences, and water development, behavioral solutions
often cost little to implement and are easily transferred from one
situation to the next. Unfortunately, we often ignore the power of behavior
to improve systems. As animals grow and develop, their interactions with the environment shape their behavior. Experiences
early in life are especially critical in shaping behavior but these interactions continue throughout life. Thus, the issue
isn't if animals adapt to changes in their environments
- they do every day of their lives. The only question is whether or
not people want to be a part of that process.
Managers often make changes in management to increase productivity. Unfortunately, these changes can cause temporary decreases in production before improving.
Understanding behavior and how to “train” animals to adapt
to new situations can lessen these decreases in performance. Below are
stories and examples of how managers train their animals to improve efficiency
and productivity. If you have a story about training animals, we’d
like to hear from you. Please e-mail us at behave@cc.usu.edu.
Also, check out "What We Know" Guidelines for more information about applying behavioral principles on your operation.
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