Seasonal preferences of steers for prominent northern Great Basin grasses
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Authors: R. Cruz, and D. Ganskopp
Date: 1998
Journal: Journal of Range Management
Volume: 51
Number: 5
Pages: 557-565
Summary of Methods: The relative preference of cattle across three phonological (vegetative, anthesis and quiescent) stages for 8 prominent northern Great Basin grasses (bluebunch wheatgrass, Idaho fescue, bottlebrush squirreltail, needle-and-thread grass, Sandberg's bluegrass, Thurber's needlegrass, giant wildrye, and 'Nordan' crested wheatgrass) was assessed in experimental paddocks and rangeland pastures established on the Northern Great Basin Experimental Range near Burns, Oregon (4495 feet altitude). One hundred plants of each species were randomly replanted in 9 experimental paddocks, each containing a grid of 29 rows and 29 columns with 0.61 m between plant centers. In addition, 9, 1-ha experimental pastures were established with electric fencing and 3 additional species (prairie junegrass, Indian ricegrass and cheatgrass) were included in the analysis on native-rangelands. Basal area and biomass were measured in the experimental paddocks, with plant density, biomass and foliage cover measured in the rangeland pastures. Forage quality was measured through crude protein and neutral detergent fiber. Three esophageally fistulated steers grazed 3 paddocks and 3 pastures at each phonological stage for 6 successive days. The steers were allowed to forage 84 plants. Esophageal samples were analyzed for crude protein and neutral detergent fiber. A Van Dyne and Heady's relative preference index was calculated to rank the preference of steers.
Article Summary / Main Points: Crested wheatgrass was preferred by cattle over 7 native grass species when it was green and growing (vegetative and anthesis), but it was avoided after growth ended and vegetation had cured (quiescence). Giant wildrye was preferred by cattle after 7 other northern prominent Great Basin grasses enter quiescence. Needle-and-thread grass was always avoided by steers in experimental paddocks and pastures. Bluebunch wheatgrass was the second highest grass preferred by cattle at all stages of phenology (vegetative, anthesis and quiescence).
Vegetation Types: Sagebrush Steppe
MLRA Ecoregions: 23 Malheur High Plateau
Agrovoc Control Words: Rangelands Grasses Grazing
Article Review Type: Refereed
Article Type: Experimental Research
Keywords: bluebunch wheatgrass, idaho fescue, perennial grasses, forage quality, diet, and cattle
Annotation: This study assessed the relative preferences of cattle for native grasses and crested wheatgrass in two experimental areas, a natural and a replanted one. The experimental design is robust and the results give handy information about selectivity of grasses across the potential grazing season.
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