The people of Pantanal (pantaneiros) have conducted the extensive calf production that depends excessively on natural grassland in the Pantanal of Brazil. According to the case of Fazenda Baía Bonita in the Nhecolândia of south Pantanal, this study examines the problems of traditional cattle grazing and appropriate measures for the future management by focusing on the relationships between natural environment and social surroundings. The wise use of wetlands fostered for centuries still remains in the ranch, e.g., management of cattle herds corresponding with seasonal water level, methods for preventing grassland from plant succession to semi-deciduous forest by means of intentional burn, tree girdling and cleaning, and mutual aid customs between neighboring ranches. However, the management of extensive calf production confronts difficulties at present because of the scarcity of labor, small-scale grassland of the ranch, low conception rate of heifers and cows, and low productivity and quality of calves. In order to resolve current situation and to achieve stable management of calf production, it needs to create a calendar of breeding and shipping that especially specifies the season of breeding to promote the efficiency of administrative work. It is also necessary to introduce stud bull and cows of high quality, and to practice appropriate controls on their numbers and breeding under strict regulations of grazing areas.
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