Optimal distribution of cattle on forested rangelands has long been a subject of concern specifically related to uniform and sustainable use of forage resources. Our objective was to determine if cow age influenced distribution and resource use on forested rangelands. This study was conducted from 1991 to 2001 at the US Department of Agriculture Starkey Experimental Forest and Range, northeastern Oregon, a mixed-conifer forested rangeland. We used 43 039 locations of cattle taken from 1 h prior to sunrise until 4 h after sunrise and 4 h prior to sundown until 1 h after sundown from 15 July to 30 August to evaluate cattle distribution patterns during peak foraging time. Cattle were grouped into four age classes: 2-and 3-yr-old cattle, 4-and 5-yr-old cattle, 6-and 7yr-old cattle, and cattle $ 8 yr old. All age classes preferred areas with gentler slopes (P , 0.05), westerly aspects (P , 0.05), farther from water (P , 0.05), and with greater forage production (P , 0.05) than pasture averages. Cattle older than 3 yr of age selected areas with less canopy closure (P , 0.05) than the mean value for the pasture. Young cows (, 4 yr old) selected lower elevations and steeper slopes than the oldest cows (P , 0.05). In summary, cow age and correspondingly its experience directly influences distribution patterns and forage resource use of cattle at the Starkey Experimental Forest and Range. Resumen La óptima distribución del ganado en pastoreo en pastizales con bosques ha sido una área de intere´s por mucho tiempo especialmente con respecto a una uniformidad y sustentabilidad del recurso forrajero. Nuestro objetivo fue determinar si la edad de las vacas afecta la distribución y el uso de los recursos en una zona de bosque. Este estudio fue llevado a cabo de 1991-2001 en el Noreste de Oregón en el USDA Starkey Experimental Forest and Range, en un pastizal mixto con coníferas. Utilizamos 43 039 sitios del ganado tomados 1 hora antes del amanecer hasta 4 horas después del amanecer y 4 horas antes de la puesta del sol hasta 1 hora despue´s de la puesta del sol desde el 15 de Julio hasta Agosto 30 para evaluar los patrones de la distribución del pastoreo durante el tiempo máximo del pastoreo. El ganado se agrupó en 4 clases de edades: ganado de 2 y 3 añ os de edad, ganado de 4 y 5 añ os, ganado de 6 y 7 añ os y ganado de $ 8 añ os de edad. Todas las clases de ganado prefirieron áreas con pequeñ os lomeríos (P , 0.05), con orientación del oeste (P , 0.05), lejos del agua (P , 0.05), y con una producción mayor (P , 0.05), de forraje que el promedio del potrero. Ganado con más de 3 añ os de edad seleccionó áreas con una cobertura menos cerrada (P , 0.05), que el promedio del potrero. Las vacas jóvenes (, de 4 añ os de edad) seleccionaron áreas con elevaciones bajas y áreas con mayor pendientes que las vacas viejas (P , 0.05). En resumen la edad de las vacas y la experiencia afecta directamente los patrones de distribución y el uso del forraje en el Starkey Experimental Forest and Range.
Grazing cattle and timber harvest are common practices associated with forested rangelands. Therefore, the objective was to document the effects of timber harvest and herbivory on nutritional quality and botanical composition of steer diets in grand fir (Abies grandis [Dougl. ex D. Don] Lindl.) and ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa P. & C. Lawson) forests. Three replicated grand fir sites were arranged as a split-plot design; timber harvest treatments-1) no harvest (CON), 2) thinning (TH), 3) clearcut (CL)were whole plots, and herbivory treatments-1) large ungulate grazing (Graze), 2) wild ungulate grazing (CExc), and 3) exclusion of large ungulate grazing (TExc)-were the subplots. Three replicated ponderosa pine sites were arranged as a split-plot design; timber harvest treatments-1) CON and 2) TH-were whole plots, and herbivory treatments-1) GR, 2) BG, and 3) EX-were subplots. Diet samples were collected in June and August of 2001 and 2002. Crude protein, in vitro organic matter digestibility, acid detergent fiber, and neutral detergent fiber of the diets were only affected by season of use and were higher (P , 0.05) quality during the June grazing period. Botanical composition of diets was determined with the use of microhistological analysis of ruminal masticate. Within grand fir sites, graminoids were the major constituent in the diet (65%-91%), forbs intermediate (8%-31%), and shrubs least (0.2%-3.5%). Within ponderosa pine sites graminoids were the major constituent in the diet (83%-88%), forbs intermediate (10%-14%), and shrubs least (2%-3%). Season of use did not affect (P. 0.10) botanical composition in either grand fir or ponderosa pine sites. Timing of grazing had a greater influence on diet quality; however, previous herbivory and(or) timber harvest had a greater influence on composition of diets than did timing of grazing. Resumen El apacentamiento del ganado y la cosecha de madera son prá cticas comunes en los pastizales boscosos. Los objetivos de este estudio fueron documentar los efectos de la cosecha de madera y herbivoría en la composició n botá nica y calidad nutricional de las dietas de novillos en bosques de ''grand fir'' (Abies grandis [Dougl. ex D. Don] Lindl.) y ''ponderosa pine'' (Pinus ponderosa P. & C. Lawson). Tres sitios repetidos de ''grand fir'' se arreglaron en un diseñ o de parcelas divididas y los tratamientos de cosecha de madera: 1) sin cosecha (CON), 2) aclareo (TH), y 3) corte (CL) fueron las parcelas principales y los tratamientos de herbivoría 1) apacentamiento de grandes ungulados (Graze), 2) apacentamiento de ungulados silvestres (CExc), y 3) la exclusió n a los grandes ungulados (TExc) fueron las subparcelas. De la misma forma tres sitios repetidos de ''ponderosa pine'' se arreglaron en un diseñ o de parcelas divididas y las parcelas principales fueron los tratamientos de cosecha de madera 1) CON y 2) TH y los tratamientos de herbivoría 1) GR, 2) BG y 3) EX fueron las subparcelas. Las muestras de las dietas fueron colectadas en Junio y Agosto del 2001 y 2002 usando cuatro...
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