Cattle Mustering Efficiency Using Helicopters in a Monsoonal Savanna Woodland.

Abstract

This survey examined the long term effects of regular helicopter use on cattle tractability and provided herd management information on mustering rate and efficiency in a tropical savanna woodland environment. Ten individual herds of high grade Bos indicus breeders were mustered from four to eleven times over a four year period as part of a supplementation experiment conducted on "Mount Bundey" station. Paddock size ranged from 744 to 2,224 ha. Mean annual mustering efficiency (proportion mustered) was 71% (64-85%), 92% (83-99%), 96% (92-100%) and 94% (78-98%) for bulls, calves, steers and breeders respectively. Paddocks were totally clean of all animal classes in 25% of musters. Helicopter mustering of breeders and steers in the last three years of the study was 12 percentage points more efficient than horse mustering (assisted by a spotter plane) in the first year. Mustering rate in April-May averaged 69 beasts/hour while the August/September round averaged 102 beastdhour. Mustering efficiency did not differ between April-May and August-September musters. Helicopter mustering did not adversely affect tractability of the cattle when carried out in conjuntion with horsemen. The data indicate that 100% clean musters could not be routinely achieved in this monsoonal woodland savanna. even under relativelv intensive conditions. This conflicts with current BTEC requirements and hinders animal husbandry practices.