Modeling the impacts of grazing management on livestock behavior and performance: A case study in the Peruvian Andes

Background In the Peruvian Andes, rangelands play a critical role in livestock production. A major challenge for sustainable livestock production systems in this remote region is the limited understanding of how management affects livestock performance. Agent‐based models are well suited to address this challenge by representing households and livestock and their interactions with the environment. Methods We built an Agent‐based model of laNd management Dynamics and Ecosystem Services (ANDES) to analyze the impacts of grazing management on forage consumption, grazing behavior, and the body condition of cattle and sheep in a valley in the Peruvian Andes. Results Livestock responses to grazing management varied by species. Forage consumption and body condition were highest under “45‐day rotation” and “population reduction” scenarios, which involved reducing livestock populations and implementing new grazing field rotations. Mortality followed a trend similar to the body condition index. Conclusions Suboptimal livestock responses across management scenarios highlight the need for stocking rate adjustments. Herding practices should be incorporated into current cattle management, as they can improve animal performance and reduce impacts on ecosystems. Sustainable management strategies in the valley should integrate biotic and abiotic factors (e.g., forage production and topography), herding practices, and producers' needs and priorities.