Livestock Management by Transhumance Activity in a Peripheral Area of Spain

Abstract

In Albarracín Mountains situated in a peripheral area of Spain, livestock rearing is the most important occupation as livelihood strategy by the herdsman and has traditionally been the key trade of the rural population. It provides food security in mountainuous area such as those of Albarracín Mountains in particular. However, growth of fodder for livestock is greatly influenced by a restriction of the environment and so, the herdsman should do transhumance activity with flock to summer and winter pasture lands by season seeking fodder. Adaptability to the envinronment is reflected in transhumance which utilises time-space differences and plays an important role in livelihood strategy. For cattle breeding, which aims to maximize livestock reproduction, the most important strategy is adapting the propagation schedule to the environment. Based on research by questionnaires and inteviews to herdsman, this study summarizes skills in livestock management, including flock propagation in transhumance activity. As sheep is cattle of seasonal propagation, crossbreeding and delivery seasons are periodically fixed. Therefore, herdsman adopts an annual working cycle that involves a chain of such jobs. Herdsman manages and intervenes in the reproduction, fattening and grazing of sheep, through which he exploits lamb as his livelihood. In other words, his livelihood is based on interdependence between human being and livestock. Through the livestock management skills utilized in the environment and ecological system in this peripheral area, the livelihood can be well established.