Effects of phenology, site, and rumen fill on tall larkspur consumption by cattle
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Authors: J. A. Pfister, G. D. Manners, M. H. Ralphs, Z. X. Hong, and M. A. Lane
Date: 1988
Journal: Journal of Range Management
Volume: 41
Number: 6
Pages: 509-514
Summary of Methods: Cattle were used in a short term study in central Utah, at the head of Six-mile canyon near Manti, Utah, to evaluate tall larkspur (Delphinium barbeyi) consumption in relation to site, plant phenology and rumen fill. Study was conducted in the transistional zone between pinyon juniper woodlands and salt desert shrub. The first experiment examined tall larkspur consumption at four distinct phonological stages (bud, early flower, full flower, and pod stages) from early July to late August. The second experiment evaluated grazing behavior of rumenally cannulated steers on two sites (full sun vs. shaded) and three levels of rumen fill (0, 50 and 100%).
Article Summary / Main Points: Larkspur growing on shaded sites was consumed at higher levels than plants growing on sunny sites. Consumption also increased with higher levels of rumen fill. Total larkspur consumption never exceeded 6% of the diet with no larkspur consumed in the bud stage. Overall consumption increased as plants matured and peaked at 10% of the diet in the pod stage, with corresponded with the lower alkaloid levels. Early season and late season grazing are the safest times to graze tall larkspur in relation to toxicity poisoning in cattle.
Vegetation Types: Pinyon-Juniper Woodlands (includes juniper woodlands) Salt Desert Shrublands
MLRA Ecoregions: 28A Great Salt Lake Area 47 Wasatch and Uinta Mountains
Agrovoc Control Words: Weeds Rangelands Grazing
Article Review Type: Refereed
Article Type: Experimental Research
Keywords: poisonous plants, cattle diets, plant growth stage, rumen fill, delphinium barbeyi, alkaloids, grazing behavior
Annotation: Experiment one used yearling heifers and had no previous experience with tall larkspur and the second experiment used cannulated steers. The idea of a toxic window where palatability of tall larkspur is increasing and alkaloid levels are still high enough to cause poisoning was suggested as a result of this research.
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