Key points1. We are creatures of habit 2. Habits can be deadly 3. Young animals learn more quickly

than older animals4. Necessity is the mother of

invention5. Change takes time

Behavior depends Behavior depends on consequenceson consequences

Consequences Consequences lead to habits lead to habits

Habits Change the Habits Change the BodyBodyThe body determines the structure The body determines the structure

of experience.of experience.Experience determines the Experience determines the

structure of the body.structure of the body.

What are theWhat are theadvantages of advantages of

habits?habits?

Efficient and Efficient and EffectiveEffective

Where do deer go duringthe hunting season?

What are theWhat are thedisadvantages of disadvantages of

habits?habits?

Poisonous PlantsPoisonous PlantsGila versus Apache CountiesGila versus Apache Counties

Animals Prefer FamiliarAnimals Prefer Familiar- Toxic Plants -- Toxic Plants -

to Unfamiliar Plantsto Unfamiliar Plantsin Unfamiliar Environmentsin Unfamiliar Environments

Ease the transitionEase the transition with familiar foodswith familiar foods

Change is Change is sometimes sometimes necessarynecessary

Faced with the choice Faced with the choice between changing one’s between changing one’s mind and proving there is no mind and proving there is no need to do so, almost need to do so, almost everyone gets busy with the everyone gets busy with the proof.proof. - John K. Galbraith- John K. Galbraith

… … but it’s hard!but it’s hard!

What causes What causes creatures of habit creatures of habit to change habits?to change habits?

YouthYouthSatietySatiety

InadequacyInadequacy

Old dogs can learn new tricks, but young

dogs learn them quicker…

Japanese Japanese MacaquesMacaques

Ewes, Lambs and Douglas-fir

SatietySatietyNot meatloaf again!Not meatloaf again!

InadequacyInadequacyDiet SelectionDiet Selection

If nutritional state is adequateIf nutritional state is adequate

0

100

200

300

400

500

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9Day

nove

l fla

vorFamiliarity breeds Familiarity breeds

content, novelty content, novelty breeds contempt, breeds contempt,

animals are animals are neophobic.neophobic. In

take

of r

ice,

g

If it ain’t broke,If it ain’t broke,don’t fix itdon’t fix it

If nutritional state is inadequateIf nutritional state is inadequate

0

100

200

300

1 2 3 4 5 6

Day

high-protein diet

high-energy diet

Familiarity Familiarity breeds contempt, breeds contempt,

novelty breeds novelty breeds content, animals content, animals are neophyllic.are neophyllic.

Inta

ke h

igh-

ener

gy, g

Necessity is Necessity is the mother of the mother of

inventioninvention

Nutrient Nutrient deficient goats deficient goats

that ate that ate woodrat woodrat houses…houses…

lost significantly lost significantly less weightless weight

Nutrient BalanceNutrient Balanceaversion sample preferenceaversion sample preference

InadequacyInadequacyHabitat SelectionHabitat Selection

ThompsonThompsonMaxfieldMaxfield

MaxfieldMaxfield ThompsonThompsonCalfCalf

mothermother

YearlingsYearlings peerspeers

2-years age2-years age droughtdrought

3-years age3-years age mothermother

Old dogs Old dogs New tricksNew tricks

Changes in ManagementChanges in ManagementSy

stem

Per

form

ance

Syst

em P

erfo

rman

ce

TimeTimeSoils, Plants, Herbivores, PeopleSoils, Plants, Herbivores, People

DairiesDairies……

If video doesn’t play, insert file NewYork_dairy.wmvIf video doesn’t play, insert file NewYork_dairy.wmv

Ease transitions:Ease transitions: Feed green chop in the barn prior to

turnout on grass. Increase time spent on pasture

slowly. Ration fed in the barn must

complement pasture. Expose replacements to grass early

in life, preferably with their mothers.

Riparian Areas…Riparian Areas…

If video doesn’t play, insert file Upland_cows.wmvIf video doesn’t play, insert file Upland_cows.wmv

Riding not harassing:Riding not harassing: Move cattle out of bottoms Keep cows/calves and subgroups

together Settle animals on upland sites with

ample forage, salt, supplement, etc. Ride consistently and persistently Cows pass behavior to their calves It takes time to change behavior

1994

2001

1995

1998

1995

1998

Taking Taking animals to animals to

the fairthe fair

Key pointsKey points1.1. We are creatures of habit.We are creatures of habit.2.2. Habits can be deadly.Habits can be deadly.3.3. Young animals learn more quickly Young animals learn more quickly

than older animals.than older animals.4.4. Necessity is the mother of Necessity is the mother of

invention.invention.5.5. Change takes time.Change takes time.