Conditioning cattle to graze broom snakeweed (Gutierrezia sarothrae)
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Authors: M. H. Ralphs, and R. D. Wiedmeier
Date: 2004
Journal: Journal of Animal Science
Volume: 82
Number: 10
Pages: 3100-3106
Summary of Methods: Yearling heifers were used in a series of short term studies in Northern Utah to determine if cattle could be conditioned to graze broom snakeweed. Cattle were conditioned in a pen trial to examine if intake of broom snakeweed would increase with a positive post-ingestive feedback. A spring and fall grazing trial tested if intake of snakeweed was higher for cattle that received positive post-ingestive feedback. The spring grazing trial was conducted on degraded sagebrush site in the Howell Valley, 15 km west of Tremonton, UT (long 41.724° 949′ N, lat 112.408° 959′ W). The fall trial was near Bothwell, 10 km northwest of Tremonton, UT (long 41.744° 483′ N, lat 112.248° 698′ W).
Article Summary / Main Points:
• The cattle that received starch as the post-ingestive feed back consumed more broom snakeweed in the pen trial.
• Consumption of broom snakeweed was higher in cattle positively conditioned in the spring grazing trial when pasture size was reduced than control cattle.
• Fall intake of broom snakeweed was similar regardless of conditioning treatment.
• Intake of broom snakeweed increased when animals were forced to eat it by reducing pasture size and other available forage.Vegetation Types: Salt Desert Shrublands
MLRA Ecoregions: 28A Great Salt Lake Area
Agrovoc Control Words: Weeds Rangelands Grazing
Article Review Type: Refereed
Article Type: Experimental Research
Keywords: diet training, positive conditioning, short-duration grazing, forage availability, forage selectivity, weed management, targeted grazing
Annotation: Cattle can be forced to graze broom snakeweed utilizing short-duration high-intensity grazing strategies but livestock performance was not examined along with effect of native species. Cattle used in this study were yearling heifers.
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