Evaluation of Low-Stress Herding and Supplement Placement for Managing Cattle Grazing in Riparian and Upland Areas
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Authors: D. W. Bailey, H. C. VanWagoner, R. Weinmeister, and D. Jensen
Date: 2008
Journal: Rangeland Ecology & Management
Volume: 61
Number: 1
Pages: 26-37
Summary of Methods: Efficiency of low-stress herding and supplement placement to manage cattle grazing riparian areas was examined in a study conducted 24 km east of White Sulphur Springs, MT. Study included 3 treatments: herding (cattle in riparian area moved to an upland salting location), herding with strategic supplementation (cattle in riparian area moved to upland sites with low-moisture blocks), and control (no herding), with each of the three paddocks receiving a different treatment over the three years of the study. Cattle locations were observed daily from 0630-0800 hrs and 1900-2030 hrs for 12 days in 2002, 24 days in 2003, and 26 days in 2004. Slope, elevation, and distance from river, stream or other available water were determined from each position. Each year standing crop was estimated in upland and riparian areas before and after grazing for estimate of forage availability. Fecal pat abundance was estimated along transects in riparian areas as well as uplands. Utilization was measured in riparian areas using stubble height measurements and in upland areas by using height-weight measurements.
Article Summary / Main Points: Midday low stress herding effectively reduced time cattle spent near streams. Herding reduced not only grazing time along streams, but also fecal abundance in those areas. Cows that were herded remained in upland areas through warmer afternoon hours when generally cattle remain in riparian areas after coming to water. Herding and herding with supplement treatment results were very similar regarding use of riparian areas. Forage utilization was greater in the target area when both salt and low moisture block were available than for herding only and control. Not only was low stress herding effective for reducing cattle use of riparian areas, it also focused grazing in areas typically receiving little grazing use.
Vegetation Types: Sagebrush Steppe Shortgrass Prairie
MLRA Ecoregions: Not Applicable
Agrovoc Control Words: Riparian Grazing management Rangelands
Article Review Type: Refereed
Article Type: Experimental Research
Keywords: distribution, grazing behavior, herding, riparian areas, supplement blocks
Annotation: Article provides several suggestions for consideration in grazing management of riparian areas, as well as multiple measurements of effectiveness of these practices when put into use.
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