Prior grazing by sheep reduces waxy larkspur consumption by cattle: an observation
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Authors: M. H. Ralphs, and J. D. Olsen
Date: 1992
Journal: Journal of Range Management
Volume: 45
Number: 2
Pages: 136-139
Summary of Methods: Two small pastures in the Upper Ruby Valley of southwest Montana were set up to determine if use by sheep prior to cattle would decrease the occurrence of waxy larkspur (Delphinium glaucescens) poisoning in cattle. One pasture was grazed by sheep before cattle and one pasture was only grazed by cattle during this two year study. During the second year clipping had to be conducted to simulate the same level of sheep grazing that occurred the first year. Bite counts were used to quantify cattle diets.
Article Summary / Main Points: • Sheep consumed 70% of waxy larkspur stakes during the first year and only 35% during the second year. • The cattle consumption of larkspur was lower (0.7%) in the sheep-cattle grazed pasture than in the cattle only grazed pasture (2.4%). • One cow died of larkspur poisoning during the second year in the cattle only pasture. • If an area is grazed by cattle after sheep then the cattle will most likely consume less of the poisonous weed.
Vegetation Types: Mountain Shrublands
MLRA Ecoregions: 43B Central Rocky Mountains
Agrovoc Control Words: Weeds Rangelands Grazing
Article Review Type: Refereed
Article Type: Documented Case History
Keywords: poisonous plants, biological control, delphinium glaucescens, multi-species grazing, forage selection, weed utilization, targeted grazing
Annotation: This observational study shows a trend that if cattle grazing follows sheep grazing cattle larkspur poisoning will likely decrease. This is only an observational study and did not explore any reasons to explain why sheep consumed less waxy larkspur in the second year. These findings need to be applied cautiously.
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