Final answer:
The statement that pastoralists wait until herd animals are old before killing them for resources is false. Pastoralists have a sophisticated relationship with herd animals, selectively breeding and strategically using animals of varying ages for purposes such as meat, milk, and wool, always with a mindful approach toward sustainable herding.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement 'Pastoralists don't kill herd animals for meat, bone, and other resources until the animals are old.' is false. Pastoralists manage their herds in a sustainable manner and have a deep knowledge of animal care. They utilize live animals for their reproductive abilities, milk, and other products while they're still of reproductive age and healthy. However, the claim does not accurately capture the nuance of pastoral practices, where animals of various ages are used for different purposes, including meat. Pastoralists strategically process animal products such as milk and meat, and they optimize their herd's health through selective breeding and sustainable herding practices, which can include utilizing animals before they are old.
Pastoralism involves a complex set of sociocultural features and relationships with herd animals. The lifeways of pastoral peoples involve mobility, division of labor, and deep-rooted traditions that revolve around herding. In addition to using animals for food, pastoralists also rely on them for materials and as a source of wealth and social status. Over time, pastoralists have developed environmentally sustainable grazing patterns that prevent overconsumption of resources, including strategic herd management.