Herder

Terminology:
– Herders may be distinguished by sex (e.g., herdsman, herdswoman, or herdboy)
– Herders may be distinguished by the type of livestock, such as camelherd, cowherd, duckherd, goatherd, or shepherd

By country:
– Tibetan herding communities in the Sichuan Province of southwest China continued grazing herds on common lands post-1982
– Reasons for traditional pastoral lifestyle endurance include complex topography and yaks’ need for free grazing
– Grassland degradation is an issue in China
– Steps have been taken by herding communities to enforce sustainable grazing practices
– Developing community political organization for seasonal rotational grazing

By livestock type:
Cows:
– Cowboys tend cattle on North American ranches traditionally on horseback
– Vaquero traditions of northern Mexico influenced the American cowboy
– Wranglers specifically tend horses used for cattle work
– Cowgirls have gained respect for their achievements in ranch work
– Cattle handlers in South America and Australia perform work similar to cowboys

Goats:
– Goatherds herd goats as a vocational activity
– Goatherds are common in regions with significant goat populations
– Goats are bred for dairy, meat, wool, and other purposes
– The United States has various goat industry groups
– Goat herding is similar to sheep herding

Sheep:
– Shepherds tend, herd, feed, or guard flocks of sheep
– Shepherding is an ancient occupation found globally
– Symbolic references to shepherds exist in many religions and cultures
– Shepherds are central figures in pastoral literature and art
– The term “shepherd” derives from Old English words for sheep and herder

See also:
– Fulani herdsmen are notable in the context of herding
– Look up “herder” in Wiktionary for more information
– Wikimedia Commons has media related to Herders

References:
– Farm workers received long service awards in 2003
– Community development funds support collective action for herder poverty reduction in Sichuan, China
– Malone’s work highlights aspects of herding
– The Cowgirl Hall of Fame & Museum is a resource for cowgirl history
– Department of Animal Science provides information on goat breeds