Morten Tofastrud

• Spedener, Mélanie; Mathisen, Karen Marie; Hauer, Josh; Hérault, Rémi; Austrheim, Gunnar & Tofastrud, Morten [Vis alle 7 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2024). Effects of cattle grazing on young spruce trees in boreal production forest. Trees, Forests and People. ISSN 2666-7193. 16. doi: 10.1016/j.tfp.2024.100596. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Spedener, Mélanie; Tofastrud, Morten; Austrheim, Gunnar & Zimmermann, Barbara (2024). A Grazer in a Browser's Habitat: Resource Selection of Foraging Cattle in Productive Boreal Forest. Rangeland Ecology & Management. ISSN 1550-7424. 93, s. 15–23. doi: 10.1016/j.rama.2023.12.004. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Versluijs, Erik; Niccolai, Laura Jeanne; Spedener, Mélanie; Zimmermann, Barbara; Hessle, Anna & Tofastrud, Morten [Vis alle 8 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2023). Classification of behaviors of free-ranging cattle using accelerometry signatures collected by virtual fence collars. Frontiers in Animal Science. 4, s. 1–13. doi: 10.3389/fanim.2023.1083272. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Precision farming technology, including GPS collars with biologging, has revolutionized remote livestock monitoring in extensive grazing systems. High resolution accelerometry can be used to infer the behavior of an animal. Previous behavioral classification studies using accelerometer data have focused on a few key behaviors and were mostly conducted in controlled situations. Here, we conducted behavioral observations of 38 beef cows (Hereford, Limousine, Charolais, Simmental/NRF/Hereford mix) free-ranging in rugged, forested areas, and fitted with a commercially available virtual fence collar (Nofence) containing a 10Hz tri-axial accelerometer. We used random forest models to calibrate data from the accelerometers on both commonly documented (e.g., feeding, resting, walking) and rarer (e.g., scratching, head butting, self-grooming) behaviors. Our goal was to assess pre-processing decisions including different running mean intervals (smoothing window of 1, 5, or 20 seconds), collar orientation and feature selection (orientation-dependent versus orientation-independent features). We identified the 10 most common behaviors exhibited by the cows. Models based only on orientation-independent features did not perform better than models based on orientation-dependent features, despite variation in how collars were attached (direction and tightness). Using a 20 seconds running mean and orientation-dependent features resulted in the highest model performance (model accuracy: 0.998, precision: 0.991, and recall: 0.989). We also used this model to add 11 rarer behaviors (each< 0.1% of the data; e.g. head butting, throwing head, self-grooming). These rarer behaviors were predicted with less accuracy because they were not observed at all for some individuals, but overall model performance remained high (accuracy, precision, recall >98%). Our study suggests that the accelerometers in the Nofence collars are suitable to identify the most common behaviors of free-ranging cattle. The results of this study could be used in future research for understanding cattle habitat selection in rugged forest ranges, herd dynamics, or responses to stressors such as carnivores, as well as to improve cattle management and welfare.

• Tofastrud, Morten; Hessle, Anna; Rekdal, Yngve & Zimmermann, Barbara (2020). Weight gain of free-ranging beef cattle grazing in the boreal forest of south-eastern Norway. Livestock Science. ISSN 1871-1413. 233. doi: 10.1016/j.livsci.2020.103955. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv Vis sammendrag

  Young forest stands and clearcuts in the boreal forest created by modern forestry practices along with meadows of abandoned summer farms may contribute as feeding areas for beef cattle. The patchy distribution and varying quality and diversity of forage on such unimproved lands may affect cattle productivity. Weight gain of 336 beef cows and 270 calves free-ranging during three summer grazing seasons was monitored in boreal forests of southeastern Norway, stocked at either high (0.16 cows ha-1) and low (0.04 cows ha-1) stocking densities. We used linear mixed effect models for assessing intrinsic correlates of weight gain in cows and calves in the two areas. Habitat use and home range size of a subsample of 53 cows were monitored by using GPS collars programmed to log locations at 5 min. intervals during the grazing season. Additional extrinsic correlates of weight gain for the subsampled cows using a linear mixed model were also tested. Average weight gain of beef cows grazing at the low stocking density was positive among cows of early maturing breeds (represented by Hereford) gaining 24 ± 2.8 kg ( ± SE), while cows of late maturing breeds (mainly represented by Charolais) had an average weight loss of 9 ± 8.4 kg. The average weight gain was negative for beef cows of both early (Herefords) and late maturing breeds (mainly represented by Charolais but also Limousin and Simmental) at the high stocking density. Within both breed groups, there was a negative relationship between breed-specific average weight of cows at turnout and weight gain during the grazing period, while a prolonged grazing period was slightly positively related to weight gain. There was no relationship between weight gain and home range size and proportion of grazing habitat for the 53 cows fitted with GPS collars. Higher weight gains in calves of the low compared to the high stocking density area was found. However, there was no breed effect of weight gain in calves. Across study areas, spring-born suckler calves gained more weight than autumn-born calves (92 ± 1.7 kg vs. 65 ± 4.4 kg). Also, there were higher weight gains for springborn bull-calves than spring-born heifers (100 ± 2.4 kg vs. 94 ± 2.2 kg). Overall, the results indicate that it is possible to achieve acceptable weight gains for cattle grazing coniferous forest by finding breeds suitable for these extensive areas and stocking at moderate densities.

• Spedener, Mélanie; Tofastrud, Morten; Devineau, Olivier & Zimmermann, Barbara (2019). Microhabitat selection of free-ranging beef cattle in south-boreal forest. Applied Animal Behaviour Science. ISSN 0168-1591. 213, s. 33–39. doi: 10.1016/j.applanim.2019.02.006. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Tofastrud, Morten; Devineau, Olivier & Zimmermann, Barbara (2019). Habitat selection of free-ranging cattle in productive coniferous forests of south-eastern Norway. Forest Ecology and Management. ISSN 0378-1127. 437, s. 1–9. doi: 10.1016/j.foreco.2019.01.014. Fulltekst i vitenarkiv
• Tofastrud, Morten; Hegnes, Hilde; Devineau, Olivier & Zimmermann, Barbara (2018). Activity patterns of free-ranging beef cattle in Norway. Acta agriculturæ Scandinavica. Section A, Animal science. ISSN 0906-4702. s. 1–9. doi: 10.1080/09064702.2018.1524928.
• Hansen, Inger; Braastad, Bjarne Olai; Storbråten, Jonny & Tofastrud, Morten (1993). Differences in fearfulness indicated by tonic immobility between laying hens in aviaries and cages. Animal Welfare. ISSN 0962-7286. 2, s. 105–112.

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• Spedener, Mélanie; Hérault, Rémi; Hauer, Josh; Mathisen, Karen Marie; Tofastrud, Morten & Austrheim, Gunnar [Vis alle 7 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2024). Positive and negative effects of cattle on small spruces in boreal production forest.
• Zimmermann, Barbara; den Hartog, Emma; Dyngeland, Cecilie; Tofastrud, Morten; Wabakken, Petter & Kleiven, Jo (2024). Dødelighet og forebyggende tiltak mot rovviltskader hos storfe i Europa og Nord-Amerika 1999 - 2020.
• Adamski, Genevieve; Versluijs, Erik; Zimmermann, Barbara & Tofastrud, Morten (2023). Outstanding in their field: factors influencing cattle habitat selection in Norwegian summer ranging areas.
• den Hartog, Emma; Dyngeland, Cecilie; Tofastrud, Morten; Kleiven, Jo; Scasta, John Derek & Serrouya, Robert [Vis alle 7 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2023). Carnivore depredation on cattle and measures to prevent this: Comparing experiences across Europe and North America.
• Versluijs, Erik; Zimmermann, Barbara; Tofastrud, Morten; Hessle, Anna; Evans, Alina & Adamski, Genevieve [Vis alle 9 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2023). Towards a shared forest: Studying the compatibility of free-ranging cattle and carnivores in boreal forests.
• Glærum, Marit & Tofastrud, Morten (2021). Slipp dyr i moderat hold – og slipp tidlig. Norsk Landbruk. ISSN 0332-5474.
• Tofastrud, Morten & Zimmermann, Barbara (2021). Bruk av utmarksbeite til storfe. Buskap : medlemsblad for Geno. ISSN 0807-5069. s. 28–30.
• Tofastrud, Morten (2020). Kjøttfe i utmark.
• Cottis, Thomas; Willebrand, Maria Hörnell & Tofastrud, Morten (2019). Høgskolen i Innlandet trår til for landbruk og klima. Ringsaker Blad.
• Tofastrud, Morten (2017). Bruk av utmarksbeite i skogsterreng som ressurs.
• Tofastrud, Morten (2017). Storfe på skogsbeite I Hedmark.
• Tofastrud, Morten (2017). Hva gjør kua ute i skogen?
• Tofastrud, Morten & Zimmermann, Barbara (2017). Storfe på skogsbeite.
• Tofastrud, Morten (2017). Kjøttfe på skogsbeite.
• Tofastrud, Morten (2017). Habitat selection and grazing behaviour of free-ranging cattle in boreal forests of south eastern Norway (IRSAE).
• Tofastrud, Morten (2017). Forskningsprosjekt: Hvordan utnytter hos storfe beiter i skog.
• Tofastrud, Morten & Zimmermann, Barbara (2017). Habitatvalg og beiteatferd hos kjøttfe i boreal skog. TYRmagasinet. ISSN 1890-8462. s. 8–8.
• Tofastrud, Morten; Hegnes, Hilde; Hessle, Anna & Zimmermann, Barbara (2017). Activity and weight gain of free-ranging cattle in south boreal forests of Norway.
• Tofastrud, Morten; Hegnes, Hilde; Hessle, Anna & Zimmermann, Barbara (2017). Activity and weight gain of free-ranging beef cattle in south-boreal forests of Norway.
• Tofastrud, Morten (2017). Beiteatferd og habitatvalg hos storfe på skogsbeite .
• Tofastrud, Morten (2017). Status for arbeidet med storfe på skogsbeite prosjektet .
• Tofastrud, Morten (2017). Habitatvalg og beiteatferd hos storfe i sør - boreal skog.
• Zimmermann, Barbara; Tofastrud, Morten & Vogler, Thomas (2017). Storfe på skogsbeite - Sommeren 2016 .
• Zimmermann, Barbara; Tofastrud, Morten; Vogler, Thomas; Bakmann, Ole & Skogholm, Bjørn (2016). Cattle in the woods: Sustainable beef cattle production on forest pastures.
• Tofastrud, Morten (2016). Planleggingsmøte for beitesesongen 2016.
• Tofastrud, Morten (2016). Presentasjon av storfebeite prosjektet.
• Tofastrud, Morten (2016). Hvordan kan storfe på utmarksbeite være en bærekraftig ressursbruk?
• Tofastrud, Morten (2016). Storfe på skogsbeite.
• Tofastrud, Morten (2016). Storfe på skogsbeite i Stange og Romedal almenninger.
• Tofastrud, Morten (2016). Storfe på skogsbeite i Stange og Romedal almenninger.
• Tofastrud, Morten (2016). Storfe på skogsbeite i Stange og Romedal almeninger.
• Tofastrud, Morten & Zimmermann, Barbara (2016). Grazing of free-ranging cattle in south-boreal forests of south eastern Norway.
• Tofastrud, Morten (2015). Presentasjon av forskning på skogsbeite for storfe.
• Tofastrud, Morten (2015). Storfe - vekst; lønner det seg med utmarksbeite?
• Tofastrud, Morten (2015). Habitatvalg og beiteatferd hos storfe i sør - boreal skog.
• Amundsen, Bård & Tofastrud, Morten (2015). Kua tilbake til skogen – større enn noensinne. [Internett]. forskning.no.
• Kløvstad, Astri & Tofastrud, Morten (2015). Produksjon av tømmer og kjøtt på samme areal? [Fagblad]. Norsk skogbruk.
• Seierstad, Lars Kristian & Tofastrud, Morten (2015). Banebrytende storfeprosjekt i almeningene. [Avis]. Stangeavisa.
• Tofastrud, Morten (2015). Presentasjon av feltarbeid i forbindelse med beiteprosjekt.
• Tofastrud, Morten (2015). Orientering om prosjektarbeid sommer 2015.
• Tofastrud, Morten (2015). Habitatvalg og beiteatferd hos storfe på skogsbeite.
• Tofastrud, Morten (2015). Beiteatferd og habitatbruk hos storfe på skogsbeite.
• Tofastrud, Morten (2015). Beiteadferd og habitatbruk hos storfe på skogsbeite.
• Tofastrud, Morten (2014). Prosjekt: Kartlegging av storfeets bruk av beitet .
• Tofastrud, Morten; Zimmermann, Barbara; Devineau, Olivier; Hessle, Anna; Aletengqimuke, S & Dickel, Lisa [Vis alle 10 forfattere av denne artikkelen] (2019). Beiteatferd, habitatseleksjon og produktivitet hos storfe på utmarksbeite. Høgskolen i Innlandet. ISSN 2535-5678.

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