What is a consequence of keeping many cattle on limited land?

• A. Overstocking leads to poor-quality cattle and over-grazing
• B. It reduces water use
• C. Overstocking yields better cattle
• D. It improves soil fertility

Answer: (A)

This question tests how carrying capacity works in farming. When many cattle are kept on limited land, the number of animals exceeds what the land can sustainably support—this is overstocking. The land’s vegetation is grazed faster than it can recover, so pastures become heavily eaten, plants thin out, and bare patches appear. Soil becomes compacted from constant trampling, organic matter and nutrients decline, and erosion increases. With less high-quality forage available, cattle struggle to get enough nutrition, leading to slower growth and poorer condition. All of this means the overall productivity drops rather than improves. The other ideas don’t fit because more cattle on the same land usually increases water use and degrades soil and pasture, and it doesn’t create better cattle or improved soil fertility.