Bluestem Pasture Research Articles

Identical twin cows on winter bluestem pasture used to measure the value of supplemental feed and of Vitamin A

Two pairs of identical twin heifer calves were grazed together on bluestem pasture from 1961 until 1968. During the two winters, 1961-63 each ones daily supplement was 1 pound of ground sorghum grain, 1 pound of soybean oil meal, 20,000 I.U. of Vitamin A and 0.05 lb. of dicalcium phosphate. Salt was always available. The third winter {l963-64}, as bred two year olds, one of each pair was randomly selected to continue receiving the winter supplement, the other to receive only salt and bluestem pasture. They were pastured together, and those fed were separated each morning during the winter to receive the supplement.

The value of dehydrated alfalfa and delayed grain fed to young cows on winter bluestem

This test was to compared the following three winter treatments for young cows on bluestem pasture. Treatment 1 -- One pound of soybean oil meal and 2 pounds of ground sorghum grain per head daily during the entire winter feeding period. Treatment 2 -- One and a half pounds of soybean meal fed per heifer daily until 50 days before the feeding season ended, then ground sorghum grain was fed. The same total amount of sorghum grain as fed under treatment 1 throughout the winter was concentrated during the last 50 days with the soybean oil meal discontinued when grain feeding reached the quantity to supply the same amount of protein as those on treatment 1 received. Treatment 3-- Dehydrated alfalfa fed at 3.3 pounds and ground sorghum grain at 1 pound per heifer daily during the entire winter feeding period.

Effects of winter nutrition level on cow and calf performance

Cow and calf performance under four winter nutritional levels was evaluated, using 61 purebred Polled and high grade Hereford cows randomly allotted to obtain approximately equal pregnant and open cows in each group. The cows were 1.0 be 4.5 years old, except for two older ones. Average calving date was mid April. Forty-five live calves were born. They were weighed within 24 hours after birth and at monthly intervals from June to November calf was born dead. Cows were weighed each month and rotated among four native bluestem pastures during the entire year. All calves were graded and weaned at the last weighing.

Different methods of managing bluestem pastures

This experiment was to determine the effect of increased early summer stocking and burning on cattle performance, productivity of pastures and range condition as determined by plant population changes. Early stocking at twice the normal rate for the first half the growing season was tried hoping for more gain per acre and cattle ready for dry lot finishing at midsummer. If grass recovers the last half of the season, it could be "mined" the first half when highest in nutritive value.

Tillering at the Reproductive Stage in Hardinggrass

ALBERTSON, F. W. 1937. Ecology of mixed prairie in westcentral Kansas. Ecol. Monogr. 7:481-547. CABLE, DWIGHT R., AND R. PHIL SHUMWAY. 1966. Crude protein in rumen contents and in forage. J. Range Manage. 19: 124-128. COOK, C. W., AND L. E. HARRIS. 1950. The nutritive value of range forage as affected by vegetation type, site, and stage of maturity. Utah Agr. Exp. Sta. Bull. 344. KNOX, J. H., AND W. E. WATKINS. 1958. Supplements for range cows. New Mexico Agr. Exp. Sta. Bull. 425. LAUNCHBAUGH, J. L. 1957. The effect of stocking rate on cattle gains and on native shortgrass vegetation in westcentral Kansas. Kansas Agr. Exp. Sta. Bull. 394. McILvAIN, E. H. 1959. Supplemental feeding of beef cattle on the Southern Plains Experimental Range, Woodward, Oklahoma. U.S. Southern Great Plains Field Day Report. Mimeo. NELSON, A. B., R. W. MACVICAR, W. D. CAMPBELL, AND 0. B. Ross. 1955. Supplements of different protein and vitamin-mineral content for wintering bred yearling heifers. Oklahoma Agr. Exp. Sta. Bull. 460. OELBERG, KERMIT. 1956. Factors affecting the nutritive value of range plants. J. Range Manage. 9:220-225. SMITH, E. F., K. L. GNADT, C. V. DEGEER, D. RICHARDSON, F. W. BORDEN, AND G. F. KRAUSE. 1967. Supplemental protein levels for calves and yearlings grazing on winter bluestem pastures. J. Range Manage. 20:64-66. VAN DYNE, G. M. 1965. Chemical composition and digestibility of plants from annual range and from purestand plots. J. Range Manage. 18:332-337. VAN DYNE, G. M., AND H. F. HEADY. 1965. Dietary chemical composition of cattle and sheep grazing in common on a dry annual range. J. Range Manage. 18:78-85.

The value of dehydrated alfalfa and delayed grain feeding young cows on winter bluestem

Two primary objectives of this test were to: (1) compared dehydrated alfalfa with soybean oil meal as a winter supplemental feed on bluestem pasture for young cows to be bred shortly after the winter feeding period. (2) Determine any merit in feeding grain the last 50 days of the winter period compared with feeding the same total amount of grain throughout the winter when heifers are to be bred shortly after the winter feeding period.

Different methods of managing bluestem pastures

54th Annual Livestock Feeders’ Day, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, May 5, 1967

Supplemental Protein Levels for Calves and Yearlings Grazing on Winter Bluestem Pasture

feeding period and a summer west of the campus. The vegetation is typical true tall grass prairie. Big bluestem (Andropogon gerardi), little bluestem (Andropogon scoparius), and indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans), make up between 50 and 60% of the total vegetation on the ordinary upland and limestone break sites, as described by Anderson and Fly (1955). Each experiment is a summary of one other. Ground shelled corn was fed to the group receiving the smaller amount of hay to minimize the difference in energy intake. Crude protein intake for the doubled alfalfa hay was approximately l.O7/lb/head/day; from the corn and alfalfa combined, .76 lb. Salt and a mixture of equal parts by weight of salt and bonemeal were available during the winter period.

Sideoats Grama as an Indicator of Grazing Intensity and A Method of Determining Its Utilization

ALDOUS, A. E. 1934. Effect of burning on Kansas bluestem pastures. Kan. Agr. Exp. Sta. Tech. Bull. 38. 65 p. ANDERSON, K. L. 1961. Burning bluestem ranges, Crops and Soils 13(5) : 5-6. DWYER, D. D. 1958. An annotated plant list for Adams Ranch. Unpbl. M. S. Thesis. Fort Hays Kansas State College, Hays. 172 p. DWYER, D. D. 1963. Effect of rate and date of nitrogen fertilization on native grass. Okla. Agric. Exp. Sta. Mimeo. 2 p. EHRENREICH, J. H. 1959. Effect of burning and clipping on growth of native prairie in Iowa. J. Range Manage. 12: 133-137. ELDER, W. C., AND H. F. MURPHY. 1958. The effect of fertilization and overseeding with lespedezas on a native hay meadow. Okla. Agr. Exp. Sta. Bull. 504. 15 p.

The Digestibility of Forage on Burned and Non-Burned Bluestem Pasture as Determined with Grazing Animals1

The Digestibility of Forage on Burned and Non-Burned Bluestem Pasture as Determined with Grazing Animals1

Vegetation-Soil Relationships in Flint Hills Bluestem Pastures

Change in species population may serve as a basis for evaluating the effects of grazing on range condition. However, it must also be recognized that vegetational composition varies from place to place independent of grazing influences and that populations on different soils may not respond alike to management treatments. Thus it becomes necessary to relate the vegetation to the site. In this st u d y vegetational populations have been compared for different soils in the same climate. The experimental area was the Flint Hills bluestem pastures used in pasture .utilization research at the Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station at Manhattan, Kansas. The purpose of the study was to associate vegetation with its environment as a basis for interpreting population changes and in segregating effects of grazing management practices from effects of site.

A SEVENTEEN‐YEAR STUDY OF PLANT SUCCESSION IN PRAIRIE

THE NATURE AND RATE of regeneration of a 23yr.-old bluestem pasture under complete protection from grazing were studied near Lincoln, Nebraska. The pasture adjoined a large tract of True Prairie, 0.5 mi. long and 0.25 mi. wide, of which it was originally a part. The prairie, of the upland midgrass type, had not been grazed for at least 40 yr., and probably only moderately since the disappearance of the bison. It is used for the production of hay and is mowed annually in late summer or autumn. A portion of the pasture adjoining the prairie was separately fenced and thus closed to livestock in the spring of 1937. This part was 31 rods long and 4.5 rods wide. It extended northward from the top of a low hill down a gentle slope and included its nearly level but well drained base. On the hilltop and upper slope the silty clay loam of the A horizon was 10-12 in. deep; the silt loam of the lowland has an A horizon 20 in. deep. Both soil types have deep, permeable B horizons. Average annual precipitation is 27.9 in.

Bluestem Pasture in Summer and Winter for Making Beef

Bluestem Pasture in Summer and Winter for Making Beef

First Year Invasion of Plants on the Exposed Bed of Lake Fegan, Woodson County, Kansas

The policy followed by the Kansas State Game and Fish Commission, of draining various state lakes in order to make a study of conditions which cause fishing to be rather poor, has made another barren piece of land available for the study of plant invasion. The first such study of plant invasion of an exposed lake bed in Kansas, was that made on Tonganoxie Lake, Leavenworth County, by McGregor (1948). In the present paper an account will be given of the plant invaders on Lake Fegan and a comparison made with the first lake bed studied. It is hoped that, in addition to the general ecological interest involved, the paper will be of some use to those interested in revitalizing our state lakes. For this reason the authors will use common names, in addition to the scientific names, in the hope that it will make the subject matter more understandable to a greater number of individuals. Lake Fegan, located about 6 miles southeast of Toronto, Woodson County, is an artificial lake with a surface area of 126 acres. Construction of the lake was completed in 1937. The immediate area in which the lake is located is one of bluestem pastures, oak-hickory woods and a limited amount of cultivated land. The soil around the lake is sandy as is most of that in the drainage area. The lake itself is located in quite broken or hilly country.

EFFECT OF FREQUENT CLIPPING ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF CERTAIN GRASS SEEDLINGS

The study reported here deals with the effects of the removal of tops upon the development of various species of grass seedlings. Not only the establishment but also the yield and nutritive value of range and pasture grasses are dependent to a great extent upon the manner and frequency with which the tops are removed. Winter-killing and lowered vitality, with attendant decreased yield, result from improper utilization of the herbage. In native pastures and range lands, undesirable species increase when there is early grazing and overstocking (8). Although the relation of harvesting practices to the development of grassland is known in a general way from observation, and more definitely for a few species from experiment, there is still a definite need for further experimental work. Graber (7) has shown that frequent removal of tops limits root development. This in turn may lessen drought resistance and absorptive capacity, and result in increased injury from low temperature and insects. Since most of the foods used as reserves in roots are synthesized above ground, frequent harvesting necessarily limits these reserves. Internal food reserves as well as a supply of nutrients are factors in productivity. In addition, frequent removal of tops promotes a deficiency of nitrogen in the soil (7). Dicotyledonous plants are similarly weakened by too early or too frequent harvesting. Pruning reduces the root spread of almond trees (3). Cutting of immature alfalfa increases invasion of weeds and may cause winter-killing. The specific gravity of alfalfa roots decreases slightly after each cutting. Cutting when the plants are mature gives more reserve food and higher yield with less winter-killing and a longer life of crop, whether grass or alfalfa (1). Sampson and Malmsten (16) found that harvesting range grasses twice each season increased the yield with but slight injury to the roots. Yield tends to vary inversely with frequency of clipping in bluestem pastures of Kansas. Disappearance of valuable species is proportional to frequency of cutting. The higher nutritive value gained from frequent harvesting does not compensate for loss in yield (2). The deleterious effect of frequent cutting may be offset partially by cutting the plants at a greater height above the ground (2, 9, 18). Reseeding of western range land is successful only when grazing is delayed until late in the

The Flora of Clay County, Kansas

Clay County is located northeast among the central counties of the state of Kansas, comprising an area of 660 square miles, being divided diagonally by the Republican river. The Republican valley is about a mile in width with sandy fertile soil. To the northeast the land is rolling with a large number of good cultivated diversified farms. Land lying to the southwest of the valley consists of rolling farm-land breaking to rough blue stem pasture land with the exception of Chapman creek. Limestone is found in the southern and eastern parts of the county and red sandstone in the west and northern portion.

One Substitute for the Aged Steer to Utilize Bluestem Grass

The work herein reported offers several suggestions, among which one might direct especial attention to: Calves wintered well, grazed on bluestem grass without other feed until Aug. 1 and then full-fed 100 days offer a practical and profitable method of marketing farm crops as well as grass. Calves handled as indicated above will make greater gains on a given amount of grain in a dry lot than on bluestem pasture after Aug. 1. Calves wintered with some grain, grazed to Aug. 1 and then full-fed in a dry lot should enable one to sell his cattle at near the top of the market. In each case cattle handled in this manner have sold within $.75 per cwt. of the top for long-fed yearlings the day of sale. There may not be a great deal of difference in the ultimate net returns from calves fed grain and those fed no grain during the winter period. However, one is surer of a sufficient amount of finish to command a high selling price if calves are fed some grain during the wintering period. Calves weighing approximately 350 pounds at the beginning of the feeding period are more desirable than heavier calves. They make more economical gains and find a better demand when finished. This method is particularly advantageous to the farmer who has bluestem grass and a limited amount of grain. The production of a finish that commands a price near the top of the market and slightly more than 600 pounds of gain from 40 bushels of corn reduces production costs and increases profits materially. Further possibilities for the production of a satisfactory market finish on yearlings with a minimum consumption of grain are seen in lots C and C1 where no grain was fed during the wintering period. The average of these two lots shows a production of nearly 600 pounds of gain from 27 bushels of corn.