Non-destructive assessment of cattle forage selection: A test of skim grazing in fescue grassland

Moisey, Darlene M.; Bork, Edward W.; Willms, Walter D.

doi:10.1016/j.applanim.2005.02.017

Cited by 7 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 47 publications

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“…Despite its similar forage quality as other associated species in this grassland, rough fescue is an important resource for winter grazing and may supply disproportionately more grazing opportunities than other grasses when snow cover is present (Willms and Rode 1997). Previous work indicates that rough fescue is not the most preferred species in summer or fall when other grass species are available, including Kentucky bluegrass, a common invasive species in fescue grasslands (Moisey et al 2005). The importance of rough fescue for winter grazing may be due to its strongly tufted growth form and tall stature, making it easier to detect by grazing animals under snow than rhizomatous grasses or shorter tufted species.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Seasonal Patterns of Forage Availability in the Fescue Grasslands Under Contrasting Grazing Histories

Bork

Willms

Tannas

et al. 2012

Rangeland Ecology & Management

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Grazing by large herbivores has been shown to condition vegetation in a manner that improves grassland quality for subsequent herbivory. Fescue grasslands evolved with disturbance from fire and winter grazing by bison but are now grazed primarily by cattle during summer. We examined the effect of long-term summer grazing on the seasonal forage production and quality of fescue grasslands in an examination of the hypothesis that long-term grazing had conditioned fescue grasslands to benefit livestock. This hypothesis was examined by comparing, between grazed and ungrazed plots, the biomass and composition of herbage components, concentrations of nitrogen (N) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) therein, and the ability of major plant types to maintain their biomass and quality throughout the growing season. The study was conducted in southern Alberta at five sites that had long-term exclosures (20+ yr) on grasslands that had been moderately grazed. Grazing had no effect on the N concentration of associated grasses, but grasses had lower N concentration than forbs. Concentrations of ADF followed a reciprocal trend to N. Grazing increased the mass of forbs from about 10% to 20% as a proportion of total biomass, which in turn, was not affected by grazing history. However, this grazing-induced shift to a higher quality vegetation type was not sufficient to affect total mass of N or total digestible nutrients at the community level. Rather than changes in current growth and quality, the predominant effect of summer grazing was in reducing litter mass, which also had the potential for affecting forage production and selection by herbivores. Finally, grazing reduced the relative contribution of rough fescue to total biomass by about 30%, and despite no significant effect on the potential to support summer grazing, this change could reduce the quality of these grasslands for winter grazing. Resumen El Pastoreo por grandes herbívoros ha demostrado que mejora la vegetación incrementando la calidad de los pastizales para un pastoreo subsecuente. Los pastizales de Festucas evolucionaron con perturbaciones de fuego y pastoreo por el búfalo durante el invierno, pero ahora son pastoreados principalmente durante el verano por ganado dome´stico. Examinamos el efecto a largo plazo del pastoreo de verano sobre la producción de forraje estacional y la calidad de los pastizales de Festuca, y probamos la hipótesis de que el pastoreo a largo plazo ha acondicionado los pastizales de Festuca en beneficio del ganado doméstico. Esta hipótesis se examinó por comparación entre parcelas pastoreadas y no pastoreadas, la biomasa y la composición de componentes del forraje, las concentraciones de nitrógeno (N) y fibra detergente ácido (ADF) y en la capacidad de la mayoría de tipos de plantas para mantener su biomasa y calidad a lo largo de la temporada de crecimiento. El estudio se realizó en el sur de Alberta en cinco sitios que tenían exclusiones a largo plazo (más de 20 añ os) en pastizales ha habían sido pastoreado moderadamente. El pastoreo no tuvo...

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Seasonal Patterns of Forage Availability in the Fescue Grasslands Under Contrasting Grazing Histories

Bork

Willms

Tannas

et al. 2012

Rangeland Ecology & Management

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“…As the defoliation treatments in this study were imposed on both F. campestris and P. pratensis when growing in mixtures, our test of defoliation on competitive dynamics between these species assumes similar levels of defoliation. Previous work in mature grasslands indicates that F. campestris is initially selected by cattle over P. pratensis during the critical spring green‐up period at low stocking rates, a preference that disappears at moderate stocking (Moisey et al ). However, the opposite was found during autumn where P. pratensis was selected over F. campestris (Moisey et al ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Previous work in mature grasslands indicates that F. campestris is initially selected by cattle over P. pratensis during the critical spring green‐up period at low stocking rates, a preference that disappears at moderate stocking (Moisey et al ). However, the opposite was found during autumn where P. pratensis was selected over F. campestris (Moisey et al ). These results highlight that selection by herbivores for either F. campestris or P. pratensis may further alter competitive pressure on F. campestris seedlings, depending on whether the native bunchgrass or P. pratensis is defoliated, and to what extent.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Isolating the role of soil resources, defoliation, and interspecific competition on early establishment of the late successional bunchgrassFestuca campestris

Tannas

Hewins

Bork

2015

Restoration Ecology

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Native grasslands are valued for biodiversity and supporting dormant season grazing, but are prone to invasion. In western Canada, revegetation of Festuca campestris grasslands may be hindered by Poa pratensis, an invasive grass. To determine the competitive interaction of these species during establishment, two greenhouse experiments were conducted where F. campestris seedlings were planted in monocultures or mixtures with P. pratensis. The first experiment used equal-aged (3-month old) seedlings of both species, while the second experiment used unequal-aged seedlings (4-month-old F. campestris and 2-month-old P. pratensis). Seedling performance was measured in response to manipulations of water and nitrogen, defoliation, and plant neighbor. While water and nitrogen reduced the biomass and vegetative reproduction (tillering) of F. campestris, exposure to P. pratensis most strongly limited the growth of F. campestris seedlings regardless of other treatments. More frequent and consistent decreases in F. campestris due to P. pratensis were observed in older F. campestris seedlings than younger seedlings. Defoliation also reduced the growth of F. campestris, and the added presence of P. pratensis during defoliation further enhanced these reductions in younger, equal-aged bunchgrass seedlings. Overall, these results suggest that when restoring native F. campestris grasslands, early establishment may be improved by reducing the negative impacts of P. pratensis, and avoiding severe defoliation.

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“…Invasions of smooth brome may have other indirect effects. For example, low preference of native ungulates and cattle for smooth brome leads to overgrazing of uninfested areas and creates additional invasion foci (Frank and McNaughton 1992;Austin et al 1994;Trammell and Butler 1995;Moisey et al 2005).…”

Section: Economic Importancementioning

confidence: 99%

The biology of Canadian weeds. 134. Bromus inermis Leyss

Otfinowski

Kenkel²,

Catling³

2007

Can. J. Plant Sci.

100

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Otfinowski, R., Kenkel, N. C. and Catling, P. M. 2007. The biology of Canadian weeds. 134. Bromus inermis Leyss. Can. J. Plant Sci. 87: [183][184][185][186][187][188][189][190][191][192][193][194][195][196][197][198]. Smooth brome (Bromus inermis Leyss.), a native of central Eurasia, was introduced to Canada as a forage and hay crop around 1888. Early reports of plants escaped from cultivation appear in 1903, and based on the number of collections prior to 1920, smooth brome spread most rapidly in western Canada. It is common along roadsides, forest margins, clearings, shorelines and disturbed areas, but its most detrimental impact is on the diversity of prairies and native grasslands. For example, in Riding Mountain National Park, MB, plant diversity of fescue prairies recently invaded by smooth brome decreased by 70%. Vegetative proliferation through underground rhizomes is key to the invasiveness of smooth brome, but long-range dispersal of seeds is facilitated by animals, wind and the transport of hay. Smooth brome is effectively controlled using selective applications of glyphosate and well-timed clipping. However, restoration of infested areas depends on the composition of native seed banks. Smooth brome remains valuable as a forage and cover crop in every province and territory in Canada. [183][184][185][186][187][188][189][190][191][192][193][194][195][196][197][198]. Le brome inerme (Bromus inermis Leyss.), plante indigène du centre de l'Eurasie, a été introduit au Canada pour la production fourragère vers 1888. Les premiers rapports mentionnant des plants retournés à l'état sauvage datent de 1903. D'après le nombre de prélèvements effectués avant 1920, on constate cependant que l'espèce s'est répan-due plus rapidement dans l'ouest du pays. Le brome inerme colonise souvent le bas-côté des routes, la lisière des bois, les clairières, les rivages et les terres perturbées, mais l'espèce nuit le plus à la diversité de la flore des prairies et des pâturages naturels. Dans le parc national Riding Mountain, au Manitoba, on a noté une diminution de la diversité des plantes de 70 % dans les prairies à fétuques récemment envahies par le brome inerme. L'efficacité du brome inerme vient essentiellement de sa reproduction végé-tative par rhizomes, mais les animaux, le vent et le transport du foin favorisent la dispersion des graines sur de grandes distances. L'application sélective de glyphosate et une coupe opportune permettent une lutte efficace contre cette adventice. Toutefois, la restauration des lieux infestés dépend de la composition des réserves de semences indigènes. Le brome inerme garde son utilité comme culture fourragère et culture abri dans toutes les provinces et tous les territoires du Canada. Mots clés: Bromus inermis Description and Account of Variation(a) Description. Rhizomatous perennial, 2-15 dm tall, the culms topped with open panicles 5-20 cm long with ascending or spreading branches. Rhizomes up to 1.5 m long without branching or producing stems, 2-5 mm wide, with pale scales. Culms smooth...

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Non-destructive assessment of cattle forage selection: A test of skim grazing in fescue grassland

Cited by 7 publications

References 47 publications

Seasonal Patterns of Forage Availability in the Fescue Grasslands Under Contrasting Grazing Histories

Seasonal Patterns of Forage Availability in the Fescue Grasslands Under Contrasting Grazing Histories

Isolating the role of soil resources, defoliation, and interspecific competition on early establishment of the late successional bunchgrassFestuca campestris

The biology of Canadian weeds. 134. Bromus inermis Leyss

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