Nutrient quality of bluebunch wheatgrass regrowth on elk winter range in relation to defoliation
-
-
Authors: K. J. Westenskow-Wall, W. C. Krueger, and L. D. Bryant
Date: 1994
Journal: Journal of Range Management
Volume: 47
Number: 3
Pages: 240-244
Summary of Methods: Previous defoliation may enhance the quantity or quality of forage available to elk during the winter. Authors initiated this study to determine if spring or fall simulated cattle grazing would affect bluebunch wheatgrass quantity and/or quality on elk winter range in Oregon. Plants clipped in the spring had similar digestibility, and calcium and phosphorous concentrations, as unclipped plants, but provided 40% less winter forage. This indicates that grazing in June reduced forage quantity, but did not increase forage quality, as was desired. Plants clipped in the fall had higher digestibility and concentrations of phosphorous than spring clipped or unclipped plants, but provided 88% less winter forage, indicating that fall cattle grazing produces a minimal amount of high quality forage for wintering elk. Land managers should have knowledge of the foraging behaviors and diets of cattle and elk to successfully provide forage for both species throughout the year. Cattle grazing during spring and fall can greatly reduce the quantity of forage available to wintering elk.
Article Summary / Main Points: None
Vegetation Types:
MLRA Ecoregions:
Agrovoc Control Words: Riparian zones Rangelands Wildlife
Article Review Type: Refereed
Article Type: Experimental Research
Keywords: agropyron spicatum, cervus elaphus, forage conditioning, forage quality, simulated grazing, calcium, phosphorous
Annotation: Plants were clipped to a 7.6cm stubble height one time in June or September to simulate cattle grazing. Plants were clipped to a 2.5cm stubble height one or two times in November and/or April to simulate elk grazing.
-
Get article
Cite article with DOI
-