Cattle foraging behavior in leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula) infested rangeland
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Authors: R. G. Lym, and D. R. Kirby
Date: 1987
Journal: Weed Technology
Volume: 1
Number: 4
Pages: 314-318
Summary of Methods: Cattle foraging behavior was observed over three years on a 121 ha pasture near Leonard, North Dakota. Cattle were grazed season long at a heavy stocking rate (0.53 AUM/ha - 0.61 AUM/ha) in a pasture with four levels of leafy spurge infestation ranging from zero, low, moderate and high (0, 20 to 40, 40 to 60, and 60 to 80% leafy spurge). Herbage production and use were estimated for the four infestation classes. Density of leafy spurge was estimate annually. Mid- and end of season production and use of cool- and warm season grasses, forbs and leafy spurge were also estimated in each density class and replicate in July and then again in October.
Article Summary / Main Points: • Early in the season, cattle avoided dense leafy spurge infestations and utilized sites with lower levels of infestation and more available forage species. • In early fall cattle began to use moderate and high infestation areas as the milky latex in the leafy spurge dried up and herbage availability declined on the zero and low infestation areas. • This type of foraging behavior has a negative impact on herbage production, livestock performance and monetary returns. • Leafy spurge densities were higher in the control plots than in the grazed sites, at the conclusion of the study.
Vegetation Types: Northern Mixed Prairie
MLRA Ecoregions: 55B Central Black Glaciated Plains 56 Red River Valley of the North
Agrovoc Control Words: Weeds Rangelands Grazing
Article Review Type: Refereed
Article Type: Experimental Research
Keywords: cattle, herbage use, weed utilization, density, rangeland management, forage production, season long grazing, economic loss, euphorbia esula, targeted grazing
Annotation: This study demonstrates that leafy spurge inhibits cattle use during the growing season.
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