Seasonal diet selection of cattle grazing a montane riparian community
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Authors: S. G. Evans, A. J. Pelster, W. C. Leininger, and M. J. Trlica
Date: 2004
Journal: Journal of Range Management
Volume: 57
Number: 5
Pages: 539-545
Summary of Methods: To understand what cattle eat in a mountain riparian area, the diets of five steers were analyzed during several periods over two grazing seasons. In 1994 a series of paddocks were established along Sheep Creek in the Roosevelt National Forest, Colorado (40° 56' 70†N, 105° 40' 18†W). The study took place during the growing seasons of 1994 and 1995. Double sampling was used to measure forage availability in three paddocks that were grazed in the late-summer and three grazed in the fall during the first summer. During the second summer, sampling was conducted in twelve paddocks of which three each were grazed during the following periods: spring, early summer, late summer and fall. One paddock from each sampling period during the second year of the study was also grazed the previous year. Steers were esophageally fistulated prior to the study and their diets from several minutes of grazing were analyzed for composition during the two sampling periods in 1994 and the four sampling periods in 1995.
Article Summary / Main Points: Carex species typically had the most aboveground biomass and were selected most often by the steers during all grazing periods. Salix species, although predicted to be preferred in the later grazing periods, were not often chosen by the steers (less than 4%). When in previously grazed paddocks, steers chose Poa prantensis and forbs more than in ungrazed paddocks, perhaps because of increased forb availability, reduced litter cover, and/or increased forage quality in the previously grazed paddocks.
Vegetation Types: Riparian and Wetlands
MLRA Ecoregions: 48A Southern Rocky Mountains 48B Southern Rocky Mountain Parks
Agrovoc Control Words: Riparian zones Rangelands Wildlife
Article Review Type: Refereed
Article Type: Experimental Research
Keywords: steer diets, grazing management, diet composition, preference, utilization, willow, salix spp.
Annotation: This study is applicable to riparian areas dominated by Carex species. Cattle grazing in riparian areas with different species compositions might prefer different plants. In addition, Holstein steers were used in the study. Typically Holsteins are not found on the range and different breeds may select different plants. For example, a Black Angus cow-calf pair would have different nutritional needs and therefore could choose different plants.
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