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Utilization of native forages of the Nebraska Sandhills by yearling cattle
Abstract
The utilization of forages of Sandhills range by yearling cattle, preferences exhibited, and relationships between forage traits and grazing values have not been extensively studied. Experiments were conducted on utilization of forages of the Nebraska Sandhills by yearling cattle on single-use grazing treatments (1.4 AUM/ha forage removal) during the 1989-91 growing seasons. Treatments were applied to 1 ha experimental paddocks located on a composite range site of rolling and choppy sandhills in excellent condition. Preference was measured during the 1989-91 grazing seasons by calculation of a selection index for 5 species and 3 classes of forages to test for treatment, year, and time within treatment effects. Five physical and 8 chemical characteristics of sand bluestem (Andropogon hallii Hack), prairie sandreed (Calamovilfa longifolia (Hook) Scribn), and little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium (Michx) Nash) were measured during the 1990-91 growing seasons and analyzed by principal components analysis to define composite forage traits. Utilization of marked tillers (overall use, utilization of grazed tillers, and frequency of grazing) were determined to calculate composite grazing values by principal components analysis. Predictive equations of the relationship between composite forage traits and grazing values were developed. Selectivity by yearling cattle for most forages changed with the advance of growing season and treatments, or during different years. Sand bluestem and prairie sandreed were the most selected forages, while hairy grama and forbs were not preferred. Sand bluestem and prairie sandreed were utilized at heavy and consistent levels throughout the growing season. Little bluestem was grazed less heavily, possibly due to the bunchgrass growth form. Forage traits described; (1) tiller maturation, (2) cell wall development, (3) size and quality of tillers, and (4) production and tiller elongation. Tiller maturation dominated all equations, with additional effects described by production and tiller elongation for little bluestem, and tiller size and quality for the overall equation. Yearling cattle placed a high value on sand bluestem and prairie sandreed, with grazing values of sand bluestem maintained throughout the growing season, and prairie sandreed declining. Little bluestem was of less value than the other 2 species throughout the grazing season.
Subject Area
Range management|Ecology|Livestock
Recommended Citation
Northup, Brian Keith, "Utilization of native forages of the Nebraska Sandhills by yearling cattle" (1993). ETD collection for University of Nebraska-Lincoln. AAI9333979.
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/dissertations/AAI9333979