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Context. Forage cultivation plays a pivotal role in sustaining ruminants in resource-limited ecosystems such as the hot-summer Mediterranean agroforestry systems of the Iberian Peninsula comprising oak trees (Quercus spp.) and grassland species. Intercropping techniques can enhance forage yields and nutritional quality. Aims. This study assessed the yield and nutritional quality of organic forage mixtures in an Iberian oak grassland ecosystem. Methods. Six forage associations were assessed over two growing seasons: vetch (Vicia sativa L.)-triticale (Triticum x Secale), vetch-rye (Secale cereale), vetch-oat (Avena sativa), pea (Pisum sativum L.)-triticale, pea-rye, and pea-oat. The data were analysed using a multivariate procedure. Key results. Differences in forage composition influenced nutritional quality but not yield. Vetch-based associations exhibited higher crude protein, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, magnesium, manganese and sulfur contents, along with lower proportions of neutral-detergent fibre and ether extract. The vetch- oat mixture emerged as the highest quality association. Interannual variations in precipitation and temperature caused differences in forage yield, with greater values observed in 2020 than in 2019. Forage associations also had significantly higher nutritional quality in 2020 (increased protein and mineral content, and decreased neutral detergent fibre and lignin). Conclusions. All forages demonstrated satisfactory performance and quality, even in the drier conditions of 2019, suggesting high resilience and adaptability to hot-summer Mediterranean oak grassland ecosystems. Implications. The findings of this study are relevant for organic farmers in resource-limited ecosystems. This information empowers them to select the most suitable forage species based on the specific agroclimatic conditions of each growing season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

GPS collars are a technology that is used extensively to monitor livestock due to its versatility. In this study, the main objective was to confirm whether they can detect the circadian rhythmicity that modulates the behavior of free-grazing sheep. The Churra-breed flock that was monitored grazed an approx. 166-ha fenced area within a dehesa ecosystem in the northwestern Iberian Peninsula. Geolocations were recorded every 30 min for two years. Animal activities were categorized based on the speed; an animal was "moving" if the speed was > 0 m/s (the analyzed category), and "resting" if the speed was 0 m/s. Sheep grazing activity in terms of their speed, azimuth, and distance traveled, was subjected to a circadian adjustment derived from the online Cosinor tool. Results reveal that the flock activity, whether based on speed, distance traveled, or azimuth, fit a circadian rhythmicity (p < 0.05). In the summer, particularly July and August, sheep exhibited a significant advance in the acrophase (the time at which the peak of a rhythm occurs), which might have been caused by day length and temperature. In all seasons, flock activity was significantly higher in the diurnal period, while the lowest activity was found in all cases at night, although in the summer sheep activity was high at dawn. In addition, in the day, sheep activity was significantly higher in the fall than it was at other times of the year. The preferred grazing direction of the sheep was non-random, since it was modulated by the contour orientation and the limits of the grazing area. It could be concluded that GPS geolocations allow to demonstrate that free-grazing sheep activity is modulated by a circadian rhythmicity. • GPS devices detect sheep behavioural patterns in grazing activity. • Sheep grazing activity is modulated by a circadian rhythmicity. • Sheep follow spatial patterns related to the topography. • A preferred grazing direction that coincides with contour orientation was found. • Sheep might follow a "cognitive map" of the grazing area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]