Cattle diets on pine-bunchgrass range

Abstract

Forage samples collected by freely grazing ruminal fistulated steers were analyzed chemically and botanically to ascertain the quality of the diets selected by two herds of Hereford range cows managed under separate grazing systems. The herd grazing native and seeded ranges on an integrated basis was maintained on a high plane of dietary crude protein and phosphorus for a longer period of time than was the herd grazing native ranges only. The response was attributed to earlier initiation of spring growth and lateral attainment of winter dormancy by the seeded forage species. Seasonal trends in dietary protein 'and phosphorus indicated that the stage of forage maturity at time of consumption was of major importance in determining the general nutritive quality of the diet of both herds. Ash in the diets of the two herds differed little and exhibited a slight decline from early spring to late winter. No seasonal trends in dietary calcium were noted. Botanical compositions of the diets were highly variable, particularly on native ranges. The variability reflected heterogeneity of the ranges sampled rather than changes in animal preference.

Citation

Malechek, John C. 1966. Cattle diets on pine-bunchgrass range. Fort Collins, CO: Colorado State University. 69 p. Thesis.