Extensive ruminant farming systems highlight animal coping processes based on robustness, flexibility and plasticity

Abstract

Extensive livestock systems are characterised by limited input. In such systems animal food requirements are mainly based on grazing.Vegetation varies in terms of space and time, and is heterogeneous and sensitive to climatic changes. The low control by thebreeders on the immediate environment implies that the management of extensive systems in such a context mainly depends on theadaptive ability of the animals. They have to be able to fulfill their food requirements by developing specific behaviours such as landexploration and selective intake. They also have to cope with low feed intake periods of various intensities and duration.In this paper we demonstrate that herbivores adjust their behaviour and physiological responses to cope with their environment andface constraints. Such adjustments highlight the differences between breeds in their ability to survive, produce and maintain theirreproduction in a harsh unstable environment.