Spatial and temporal patterns of cattle feces deposition on rangeland
-
-
Authors: K. W. Tate, E. R. Atwill, N. K. McDougald, and M. R. George
Date: 2003
Journal: Journal of Range Management
Volume: 56
Number: 5
Pages: 432-438
Summary of Methods: Environmental and management factors associated with cattle feces deposition patterns across annual rangeland watersheds on the San Joaquin Experimental Range near Madera, CA (37° 6’ 8†N, 119° 43’ 33†W) were identified and modeled under year-long continuous cattle grazing. Four stocking rates (0.14, 0.16, 0.11, and 0.13 AU/ha per year) were examined over 4 years. Daily cattle fecal load accumulation rates were calculated from seasonal fecal loads. Slope, aspect, hydrologic position, surface rock cover, oak canopy cover, presence of cattle trails and vertical and horizontal distance to nearest livestock concentration site were measured during wet (October to April) and dry (May to September) seasons over four years for a total of 54 transects and additional 20 transects were measured for two more years.
Article Summary / Main Points: Fecal deposition was greater on sites with water troughs, supplemental feed, low slope, south-facing aspect and ridges, compared to other sites. Factors that were found to affect cattle feces distribution included location of livestock attractants, slope, aspect, topographic position and season. Higher daily fecal load were experienced in transects located in livestock concentration areas compared to transects outside of these concentration areas. As slope increased, daily fecal load decreased. During the wet season daily fecal load was lower compared to the dry season. The greatest amount of feces was concentrated on sites with the greatest available food and water, suggesting that manipulating food and water availability within a pasture may be a method for managing cattle distribution.
Vegetation Types: Oak Woodlands
MLRA Ecoregions: 18 Sierra Nevada Foothills 22A Sierra Nevada Mountains
Agrovoc Control Words: Rangelands Watershed Management Grazing
Article Review Type: Refereed
Article Type: Experimental Research
Keywords: water quality, pathogens, grazing distribution, watershed management
Annotation: This was a replicated study over four years and is applicable to California Oak Wooldands. This was a strong study with many transects examined (74) from rangeland watersheds in Sierra Nevada foothills. The specific results may vary across range types but the factors that predict cattle feces deposition across all range types will remain constant. As is true for all grazing research, the results are most directly applicable to areas with similar landscapes, type of ungulate, weather conditions and season of use.
-
Get article
Cite article with DOI
-