Winter Cattle Research Articles

Effects of Inoculation with Newly Isolated Cold-Adapted Bacteria on Winter Cattle Manure Composting in the Tibetan Plateau

The low-temperature environment of the Tibetan Plateau presents a technical challenge to composting. This study screened cold-adapted microbes with strong degradation ability and selected five strains to experimentally test and evaluate composting cattle manure in a natural environment in the plateau region. The results showed that both the control and the treatment groups had a slow temperature rise at the beginning of the composting. However, after the first turning, the temperature rise in the inoculated group accelerated. The inoculation of cold-adapted bacteria increased the OM loss in the compost by 8.6%, decreased the retention of nitrogen of the compost by 3%, and increased the seed germination index (GI) value from 44.4% to 73.9%. Microbial community structure analysis showed that the relative abundance of Psychrobacter was more than 50% at the beginning of the composting in the two experimental groups. The cold-adapted microbial inoculation increased the diversity of the microbial community, i.e., Truepera and Luteimona, and the abundance of specific microorganisms during the thermophilic and maturation stages. This study demonstrates that inoculation of cold-adapted bacteria improves the maturity and efficiency of cattle manure composting in a natural plateau environment.

Acoustic sensor determination of repeatable cow urinations traits in winter and spring

Urinary nitrogen (N) excreted by grazing ruminants is the predominant source of N loss from pasture-grazed agricultural systems. The aim of this study was to use cow-attached acoustic sensors to measure the between-cow repeatability in the frequency, flow rate, duration, volume and N load of urination events from 140 grazing cattle in winter and spring. The urination event classifier had an F1 statistic of 0.946 based on 6122 urination events from 215 cows in the calibration dataset. The performance statistics for the validation of the urination event classifier were F1 = 0.91 (range 0.89–0.96 between trials), precision = 0.98 (range 0.93–0.99 between trials) and sensitivity = 0.85 (range 0.81–0.92 between trials). Urination event duration had a model validation R2 = 0.90 and RMSE of 2.0 s (with a range 1.8–2.2 s between trials), which compares with 1.70 s for the calibration dataset. Acoustic sensor determination of urination flow rate had an estimated error of 0.028 L s−1, and the average cow urination flow rate was 0.26 L s−1. The between-cow variation in urination traits had a coefficient of variation of 10–15% and the urination traits were repeatable between winter and spring trials. We also found that potassium and beta-hydroxybutyrate were the blood metabolites with the largest influence on N load per event and that total protein and albumin were the two blood metabolites that were the best predictors of total daily nitrogen (TDN) output. This study demonstrates the performance of a novel acoustic technology that has been tested on 355 cows and has the potential to inform strategies to reduce environmental N losses from grazed pastoral systems.

Effects of Heated Drinking Water on the Growth Performance and Rumen Functionality of Fattening Charolaise Beef Cattle in Winter

Simple SummaryEfficiency has been a major metric for measuring the production performances and profitability of zootechny, especially in beef cattle farming, even in terms of environmental sustainability. More efficient beef cattle farming should include a decrease in total feed consumption, equal or greater production performance and lower methane emissions and manure excretion. In fact, the rumen is the keystone of cattle efficiency. Strategies to maintain the rumen’s stability while enhancing its functionality can be drivers of better overall efficiency. Besides the feeds used and nutritional management, drinking water—specifically, its temperature—can alter and modulate the ruminal environment, due to the high sensitivity of the ruminal microbiota. Drinking heated water kept at a constant temperature can lead to enhanced production efficiency, due to better rumen stability and increased viability of ruminal bacteria.The effects of heated drinking water on growth performance and rumen functionality in fattening beef cattle during winter were evaluated. Newly received Charolaise bulls (n = 224) were allocated to two experimental groups: (i) water at room temperature (RTW) (weight 408 ± 34 kg); (ii) constantly heated water (25 °C) (HW) (weight 405 ± 38 kg). Growth performances, feed intake, feed conversion rate, water intake and carcass characteristics were evaluated. Internal reticuloruminal wireless boluses were used to collect rumen pH and temperature values every 10 min. Bodyweight was not affected by the water temperature, but the overall average daily gain (ADG) was significantly higher in the HW group (1.486 vs. 1.438 kg/head/day in the RTW; p = 0.047). Dry matter intake was significantly higher in the HW group (p = 0.001), even though the final feed conversion rate (FCR) was not influenced. There was also a tendency for better cold carcass weight (CCW) and carcass yield (CY) in the HW group. Drinking heated water reduced the time (min/day) during which the ruminal pH was below pH 5.8 or 5.5, and the time during which the temperature was lower than 37 or 39 °C (p < 0.001). The use of heated drinking water is a plausible a strategy for enhancing ruminal stability and the overall production efficiency in fattening beef cattle, which will lead to both better growth performance and higher ruminal stability.

Effects of prolonged photoperiod on growth performance, serum lipids and meat quality of Jinjiang cattle in winter

ObjectiveThis study was conducted to investigate the potential effects of prolonged photoperiod on the serum lipids, carcass traits, and meat quality of Jinjiang cattle during winter.MethodsThirty-four Jinjiang bulls aged between 14 and 16 months were randomly assigned to two groups that were alternatively subjected to either natural daylight +4 h supplemental light (long photoperiod, LP) or natural daylight (natural photoperiod, NP) for 96 days. The potential effects on the levels of serum lipids, carcass traits, meat quality, and genes regulating lipid metabolism in the intramuscular fat (IMF) of the cattle were evaluated.ResultsJinjiang cattle kept under LP showed significant increase in both dry matter intake and backfat thickness. the serum glucose and the plasma leptin levels were significantly reduced, while that of melatonin and insulin were observed to be increased. The crude fat contents of biceps femoris muscle and longissimus dorsi muscle were higher in LP than in NP group. In longissimus dorsi muscle, the proportions of C17:0 and C18:0 were significantly higher but that of the C16:1 was found to be significantly lower in LP group. The relative mRNA expressions in IMF of longissimus dorsi muscle, the lipid synthesis genes (proliferator-activated receptor gamma, fatty acid-binding protein) and the fatty acid synthesis genes (acetyl-coa carboxylase, fatty acid synthetase, 1-acylglycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase) were significantly up-regulated in LP group (p<0.05); whereas the hormone-sensitive lipase and stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 were significantly down-regulated in LP than in NP group.ConclusionProlonged photoperiod significantly altered the growth performance, hormonal levels, gene expression and fat deposition in Jinjiang cattle. It suggested that the LP improved the fat deposition by regulating the levels of different hormones and genes related to lipid metabolism, thereby improving the fattening of Jinjiang cattle during winter.

Integrated crop–livestock systems in paddy fields: New strategies for flooded rice nutrition

AbstractIntegrated crop–livestock systems (ICLSs) appear as a good alternative to increase nutrient use efficiency (NUE) in rice (Oryza sativa L.) through the improvement in nutrient cycling and soil chemical attributes in paddy fields. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of an ICLS on soil chemical attributes and on the fertilization requirement of N, P, and K by flooded rice in the Brazilian subtropical region. Nutritional status, yield, and NUE of flooded rice were evaluated by fertilization trials through rice response to different fertilization rates of N, P, and K. Soil chemical attributes were evaluated at the beginning of the experiment and 30 mo later. Different fertilization rates were applied in two systems: (a) a conventional system (CS), based on intensive tillage, rice monocropping and winter fallow, and (b) ICLS, characterized by no‐tillage and winter cattle grazing in annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) pasture. Rice shoot accumulation of N, P, and K was greater under CS than ICLS at all fertilization levels. On the other hand, higher rice yields were observed under ICLS at almost every fertilization level, suggesting higher NUE than CS. In addition, rice yield was increased by 40% by fertilization of P and K under CS, whereas no response was observed under ICLS. These benefits were possibly related to greater nutrient cycling and greater synchronism between rice's nutrient uptake and nutrient release of the soil. Our results indicate that the adoption of ICLS ensures greater NUE becoming a system less dependent on external inputs.

GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS FROM BY-PRODUCTS DURING CHAROLET MEAT BREEDING

It should be noted that animal husbandry is widespread in all regions of Ukraine. The article examines greenhouse gas emissions from beef cattle production in the winter. At the beginning of 2019, the herd of Charolais beef cattle had about 485 heads, including 150 cows, heifers - 41 heads, breeding bulls - 2 heads, fattening cows - 5 heads and young animals of different ages - 287 heads of different age groups consumed rations according to the sex and age of the groups. Emissions were determined taking into account the structure of the herd, feed consumption and the obtained data of gross energy consumption by different sex and age groups of cattle. The consumed energy was determined taking into account the amount of feed consumed and the content in it of mass fractions of crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber and nitrogen-free extractives. Based on gross energy consumed by animals and traits of by-products, the values of methane emissions, direct and indirect nitrogen emissions were determined both in absolute values and in specific ones per conventional head and CO2 equivalent for the winter period of the year. With a herd of 485 heads, the animals consume 97416592.72 MJ of energy per day, which is determined taking into account the mass fractions of crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber and without nitrogenous extractives. The yield of by-products per day is 18774 kg, for the whole winter period - 1107666 kg. It is established that in the production of beef from Charolais beef cattle in winter in the Kharkiv region, Ukraine greenhouse gas emissions in the preparation of organic waste amounted to 66157.566 kg in CO2 equivalent per conventional head, while emissions from the herd for the winter was: methane – 63887.491 CO2 kg, and direct and indirect nitrogen emissions in CO2 equivalent – 34.047 and 2236.028 kg, respectively.

Rumen parameters of yaks (Bos grunniens) and indigenous cattle (Bos taurus) grazing on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.

Yaks and indigenous Qaidam cattle and cattle-yak crosses (C×Y) graze on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP) throughout the year, but yaks are raised at higher elevations than cattle. Yaks do not receive supplementary feed whereas cattle require supplementary feed during harsh winter. We hypothesized that yaks would cope with the severe conditions of the QTP better than cattle and utilize the pasture more efficiently. We also hypothesized that differences between species would be pronounced in winter, when conditions are particularly harsh. To test these hypotheses, seasonal rumen fluid parameters of yaks, C×Y and cattle (n=3 for each) were examined. Rumen fluid was collected in summer and winter from each genotype 2, 5 and 12hr after a day of grazing. Concentrations of total volatile fatty acid (VFA), acetate, propionate, isobutyrate and isovalerate were greater in yaks than in cattle in summer (p<0.05), while propionate concentration was lower in yaks than in cattle in winter (p<0.05). Concentrations of ammonia and urea were greater (p<0.001) in yaks than in cattle (p<0.001) in summer, whereas, concentrations of free amino acids (AA) were greater in cattle than in yaks in summer and winter (p<0.001). Concentrations of total VFA, acetate, propionate and butyrate decreased linearly (p<0.05), whereas concentrations of isobutyrate and isovalerate increased linearly for yak and C×Y with sampling time (p<0.05) in summer. In summer, concentrations of isobutyrate and isovalerate were greater in yaks than in cattle (p<0.05). In conclusion, rumen fermentation characteristics of yaks showed that they coped better than cattle or C×Y in the harsh climate as we hypothesized. However, in contrast to our hypothesis, this emerged only in summer, when pasture was plentiful and not in winter, when pasture was scarce.

Water temperature impacts water consumption by range cattle in winter.

Water consumption and DMI have been found to be positively correlated, and both may interact with ingestion of cold water or grazed frozen forage due to transitory reductions in the temperature of ruminal contents. The hypothesis underpinning the study explores the potential that cows provided warm drinking water would have increased in situ NDF and OM disappearances and a more stable rumen temperature, drink more water, and lose less BW during the winter. This hypothesis was tested in 3 experiments. In Exp. 1, ruminal extrusa (93.1% DM, 90.2% OM, 81.1% NDF [DM], and 4.9% CP [DM]) were randomly allocated to 1 of 5 in vitro incubation temperatures. In 2 independent trials, temperatures evaluated were 39, 37, or 35°C (trial 1) and 39, 33, or 31°C (trial 2). In Exp. 2, 4 pregnant rumen cannulated cows grazing in January were fitted with Kahne (KB1000) temperature continuous recording boluses for 22 d. Two grazed in a paddock provided cold water (8.2°C) and 2 in a paddock provided warm water (31.1°C). Two in situ trials were conducted placing 6 in situ bags containing 2 g of winter range ruminal extrusa in each of the 4 ruminally cannulated cows and incubating bags for 72 h for measurement of NDF disappearance. In Exp. 3, 6 paddocks ( = 3/water treatment) were grazed by 10 to 13 pregnant crossbred Angus cows from December through February across 3 yr from 2009 to 2012. Water intake per paddock was measured daily and ambient temperature was recorded. Motion-activated cameras were used to determine the time of day water was consumed and the number of cow appearances at water. In Exp. 1, rate and total gas production ( < 0.05) and NDF disappearance ( < 0.001) at 48 h was reduced by each incubation temperature below 39°C. In Exp. 2, ruminal temperature for cows supplied with warm water dropped below 38°C 1.5% of the time whereas ruminal temperature for cows provided cold water dropped below 38°C 9.4% of the time ( < 0.01). Drinking water temperature did not alter in situ OM or NDF disappearance. In Exp. 3, cows with access to warm water consumed 30% ( < 0.05) more water than cows provided cold water. In this study, there were energetic costs to range cows proportional to consumption of water at temperatures less than body temperature. The magnitude of these costs were found to be less than the heat increment because no improvement to BW gain, BCS change, or calf birth weight were found for cows consuming warmed water.

ОБЗОР ЛИТЕРАТУРЫ ПО ВОПРОСУ О СТАНОВЛЕНИИ СКОТОВОДЧЕСКОГО ХОЗЯЙСТВА НА ТЕРРИТОРИИ ЗАПАДНО-СИБИРСКОЙ ЛЕСОСТЕПИ В ЭПОХУ ПОЗДНЕЙ БРОНЗЫ

The article deals with the history of development of livestock farming among the Irmen people in the Late Bronze Age. The authors’ analysis of a number of research works revealed that Irmen population had a pastoral type of economy with cattle prevailing in the livestock and a smaller proportion of horses and sheep. In addition, it was revealed that the main trend in the pastoral farming development was the formation of distant-pasture cattle rearing. The review of scientific studies showed that the Irmen people of the forest-steppe part of West Siberia had both summer and winter settlements and practiced winter cattle housing. Cattle grazing was conducted within floodplain valleys of large rivers, as well as on remote pasture fields. The conclusions about the use of horses primarily as riding and draft animals, as well as those about their specific ritual role in the Late Bronze Age are rather essential. A conclusion was drawn about individualization of horses’ burials in funeral complexes and connection between burials of horse skulls and certain buried subjects. As a rule, those are cases of men who acted as community leaders. Burials of such men usually marked a series of mounds within Irmen barrows. The rise of the tradition in the Irmen culture is explained in terms of the gradual increase of horses’ role in the economy of southern West Siberia. A hypothesis was also drawn according to which orientation of horse skulls to the northeast or southwest symbolized the rising of the sun in the northeast during the summer solstice and its setting in the southwest during the winter solstice. And the number of horse skulls in Irmen burial mounds symbolizes the number of months during which the sunrise and sunset points make significant shifts to the northeast and southwest respectively. Thus, horse skulls turned to the northeast symbolize the spring and summer months that “carry” the sun towards warmth and increasing daylight. The skulls turned the southwest, on the opposite, “carry” the fading sun towards the cold of winter. The mythological and calendar symbolism stems from the traditions of the early Andronovo sepulchral complexes with their southwestern orientation of buried horses (imitating a yoke) and those of Andronovo burials with the southwestern orientation of human remains. It was understood that the steady tradition of horse burials took shape in the livestock-raising communities of the steppe and forest-steppe zones of Eurasia. In terms of archaeology, the sources of the tradition are well fixed in Bronze Age artifacts and found interpretation in Indo-European rituals. The privileged position of the horse found its archaeological reflection in Irmen house-building, burial and commemorative rituals. The location analysis of animal bone remains within the sacral space of Irmen burial mounds has shown that heads (skulls) and skins of horses had been used by the Irmen people most frequently during burial and subsequent commemorative ceremonies of the funeral cycle.

Evaluation of the Seasonal and Annual Abortifacient Risk of Western Juniper Trees on Oregon Rangelands: Abortion Risk of Western Juniper Trees

On the Ground • Western juniper trees can cause late term abortions in cattle, similar to ponderosa pine trees. • Results from this study demonstrate that there is no difference in the labdane acid (the abortifacient compounds) content of western juniper trees throughout the year, or from year to year. • Consequently the abortifacient risk of western juniper trees should not vary throughout the year, or from year to year. • Producers who winter cattle in rangelands with western juniper trees should take similar precautions to prevent late term abortions as they would with ponderosa pine trees.

A Comparison of the Abortifacient Risk of Western Juniper Trees in Oregon

• The bark, leaves, and berries of western juniper trees in Oregon can cause abortions in late-term pregnant cattle. • The percentage of the abortion-causing compounds varied from tree to tree in a location, as well as between locations across Oregon, but did not appear to vary across time. • Cattle producers who winter cattle in pastures with western juniper trees should take cautions such as denying late-term pregnant cattle access to these pastures, providing adequate feed and shelter, maintaining pregnant cattle in good body condition, changing calving schedules to late spring or early fall, and, if abortions do occur, seeking veterinary care for any postpartum complications.

Evaluating use of cattle winter feeding areas by elk and white-tailed deer: Implications for managing bovine tuberculosis transmission risk from the ground up

Transmission of bovine tuberculosis (Mycobacterium bovis) among wildlife and livestock has created important risks for conservation and agriculture. Management strategies aimed at controlling TB have typically been top-down, regionally focused, and government-led programs that were at best only partially successful. The purpose of this study was to quantify co-mingling of elk and white-tailed deer (WTD) with cattle at multiple spatial scales (i.e., the regional farm scale and winter cattle feeding area patch) in southwestern Manitoba, Canada, to assess the potential for bovine tuberculosis transmission and identify alternative management strategies. For each spatial scale we quantified use of cattle farms by elk and white-tailed deer. We mailed questionnaires to rural households and then conducted personal interviews with 86 cattle farmers to map the spatial distribution of their cattle winter feeding areas at a fine scale. We deployed Global Positioning System (GPS) collars on 48 wild elk and 16 wild white-tailed deer from 2003 to 2011. Elk were observed on farms by 66% of cattle producers, including 5% and 20% who observed direct and indirect contact, respectively, between elk and cattle. Cattle producers consistently (≈100%) observed white-tailed deer on their farms, including 11% and 47% whom observed direct and indirect contact, respectively, between white-tailed deer and cattle. A higher probability of white-tailed deer–cattle contact at the regional scale occurs on farms that (1) left crop residues specifically for wildlife, (2) had larger cattle herds, (3) used round bale feeders, and (4) were farther away from protected areas. None of the GPS-collared elk locations overlapped with cattle winter feeding areas. In contrast, 21% of GPS-collared white-tailed deer locations overlapped with winter cattle winter feeding areas (22% of these were from male WTD and 78% were from female WTD). White-tailed deer selected cattle winter feeding areas with higher (1) forage crop, (2) grassland/rangeland, and (3) forest cover around the cattle feeding area. Farmers overall expressed strongly negative attitudes toward eradicating the elk population or fencing the park to eradicate TB, but were generally supportive of less invasive and farm-based approaches. Our results suggested that management efforts to prevent TB transmission at the wildlife-agriculture interface can be effectively implemented using a ‘bottom-up’ approach that focuses on practical, farm-based mitigation strategies. This approach can be implemented by individual farm operators, is relatively low cost, and is generally well supported by farmers relative to other more extreme and controversial measures like wildlife eradication.

Effects of shelter and body condition on the behaviour and physiology of dairy cattle in winter

Our objective was to understand how body condition and shelter affected behavioural and physiological responses of dairy cattle during winter weather. Twenty non-lactating dairy cows were divided into two groups of 10. Within each group, five animals had a high body condition score (9 out of 10) and five had a relatively low condition score (4 out of 10). Each week, the groups were switched between an indoor and an outdoor pen for a total of six weeks. The outdoor pen was equipped with sprinklers and fans to simulate continuous winter weather. We measured time budgets (time spent lying, standing, eating) and changes in lying and standing posture in response to the indoor/outdoor treatments. In addition, we measured body temperature, skin thickness, faecal glucocorticoid metabolites, plasma cortisol, thyroxine (T 4) and non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentrations. When cows were kept outside, they spent less time lying down, had higher cortisol, glucocorticoid, T 4 and NEFA concentrations. They were also more likely to spend time in lying and standing postures that reduced the amount of surface area exposed to rain and wind when outside compared to when they were kept inside, suggesting that shelter provides benefits for dairy cows in winter conditions. While outside, thinner cows spent less time eating, particularly when temperatures became colder, had lower minimum body temperatures, were more likely to spend time lying in postures that reduced surface area exposed to rain and wind, and had lower NEFA concentrations compared to high-conditioned cows, indicating that body condition helps insulate cows exposed to winter weather. In conclusion, both shelter and body condition mitigates the effects of winter weather on dairy cows.

Do windbreaks minimize stress on cattle grazing foothill winter range?

Cattle often graze foothill rangelands in northern latitudes as a cost-effective alternative to being fed hay. In a 2-yr study, we determined whether exposure to winter wind elicits a stress response in pregnant cows (5–7 yr old) grazing a foothill rangeland. We measured several indicators of stress-response of cows which had (windbreak) or did not have (non-windbreak) access to windbreaks. In Winter 1 (1966–1997), backfat thickness increased on windbreak and non-wind-break cattle. Body condition scores of both groups were lower at the end of the trial. In Winter 2 (1997–1998), backfat thickness decreased for windbreak and non-windbreak cattle. Body condition scores did not change. Weight changes were minor both winters. Changes in backfat thickness indicated that cattle in Winter 1 were catabolizing more lean muscle tissue, whereas cattle in Winter 2 were catabolizing more fat. Cattle entered Winter 1 in lower body condition and mass than in Winter 2. Cattle with access to windbreaks tended to have a stronger cell-mediated immune response than non-windbreak cattle. Birth and weaning weights of calves, and calving interval were similar for windbreak and non-windbreak cattle. Neither winter elicited a strong stress response from cattle grazing this foothill rangeland, with or without access to windbreaks. Key words: Beef cattle, backfat, body condition, weight loss, immune response

Protein supplementation to enhance the performance of pregnant cows on rough fescue grasslands in winter

Rough fescue grasslands are readily damaged with heavy grazing pressure in the summer but tolerate grazing in winter. In addition, these grasslands have physical and nutritive properties that make them favourable for winter grazing by cattle, which reduces the cost of winter feeding while preserving the integrity of the grasslands. This study was conducted on the rough fescue grassland to determine the impact of protein supplementation on pregnant Hereford cows and the effect of supplementation on forage intake. A secondary objective was to determine the winter quality of forage from this grassland as measured by crude protein (CP), phosphorus (P), and acid detergent fibre (ADF) of selected species. The study site was in the rough fescue grasslands at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Range Research Substation west of Stavely, AB. A canola based supplement (32% CP) with added minerals was fed to pregnant Hereford cows at four levels [0, 0.4, 0.8, and 1.2 kg d−1 per animal] from 1 November to 31 January over 3 yr. Two animals were used in each of 12 paddocks (1.67 ha each) arranged in a randomized complete block design with three blocks. Cow weight and backfat were recorded before and after each feeding period. Forage biomass and feed intake were estimated by harvesting plots before and after grazing, and with the use of a non-destructive method based on measurements of individual plants that allowed estimates for each forage species. Cow weights were affected (P = 0.002) by supplementation. Cows receiving 0.4 kg d−1 supplement lost the most weight while cows receiving 0.8 or 1.2 kg d−1 lost the least. Backfat was not responsive to supplementation (P &gt; 0.05). Rough fescue grasslands must be in good condition to be able to support winter grazing because rough fescue provides most of the forage utilized by cattle in winter. Key words: Winter grazing, Festuca campestris, rough fescue, weight loss, backfat, digestibility, beef cattle

A simple index of standard operative temperature for mule deer and cattle in winter

1. 1. Scientists often use ambient temperature, relative humidity, or windspeed alone to describe an animal's thermal environment. Standard operative temperature ( T es) incorporates solar and thermal radiation, ambient temperature, and windspeed with a species' resistance to heat loss; thus it more accurately represents an animal's thermal environment. Standard operative temperature is not often recorded in the field because of instruments needed to measure short- and long-wave radiation. 2. 2. Our objective was to determine if regression equations could relate simple micrometeorological measurements to T es for mule deer and cattle in winter. 3. 3. Blackglobe and ambient temperatures, windspeed, net radiation, total radiation, albedo, and ground surface temperature were recorded during one winter in a field in Bozeman, Montana. We used species specific resistance values for mule deer and cattle in winter to calculate T es for both species. Then, we regressed T es with blackglobe and ambient temperatures, and windspeed. The mule deer regression model was applied to an independent data set to determine if it worked well under varying weather conditions. 4. 4. The mule deer and cattle regression models represented T es for both species well (adjusted R 2 0.96 and 0.94, respectively). The mule deer regression model also represented the independent data set well. Standard operative temperatures predicted by our model and those predicted by the independent data set were highly correlated ( r > 0.96 for four different comparisons). Our simple micrometeorological measurements are suitable predictors of T es for mule deer and cattle in winter.

Influence of summer cutting and fertilizer application on Altai wild rye in winter

The effects of summer cutting and fertilizer application treatments on Altai wild rye (Elymus angustus Trin.) yield and nutritive value in winter were examined in a 3-yr study in the Chernozemic Black soils of the foothills region in southwestern Alberta. Regrowth after harvest had significantly decreased acid detergent fiber (ADF) and increased crude protein (CP), phosphorus (P), and calcium (Ca) by January but decreased forage yield and plant height in regrowth after cutting. Fertilizer application significantly (P &lt; 0.05) increased dry matter yields and the concentration of CP, P, and Ca, while decreasing the concentration of ADF. Forage decreased in nutritive value, as determined by the concentration of each constituent, until November; after that, changes were no longer significant (P &lt; 0.05). However, the effects of either fertilizer or cutting treatments on the nutritive value were generally maintained to the end of the sampling period in March. Fertilizer application made access to standing forage easier for cattle in winter, as defined by plant height, but summer cutting reduced it. Cutting and fertilizer application can be used to improve the nutritive value of forage in winter to meet the requirements of dry pregnant beef cows, but this requires substantial fertilizer application. Rather than applying high rates of fertilizer, it may be advantageous to supplement nutrients to livestock on winter pasture.Key words: Winter grazing, forage quality, weathering losses

Grazing management studies with Australian cashmere goats. 3. Effect of season on the selection of diet by cattle, sheep and goats from two tropical grass-legume pastures

Oesophageally fistulated cattle, sheep and I goats were grazed together to study species diet preferences from 2 different tropical grass-legume pastures during 3 seasons (summer, autumn, winter). In one pasture, Brachiaria decumbens (signal grass) was the dominant grass and in the other pasture, Paspalum plicatulum. Each pasture had a common suite of tropical legumes, mainly Desmodium intortum (greenleaf desmodium), Macroptilium atropurpureum (siratro) and Macrotyloma axillaris (axillaris). Axillaris was the major legume available in summer and autumn and greenleaf desmodium was the major legume in winter. There was no significant effect in any season of the basal grass available on the composition of the diet selected by the different species. Both goats and cattle had a high preference for legume leaf during summer and autumn, with goats having a higher preference (34-75% of diet) than cattle (1245%). Sheep selected against legume (5-19% of diet) and had a high preference for grass leaf (58-74% of diet) in all seasons. Cattle selected grass in preference to legume (greenleaf desmodium) in winter. Goats showed the greatest discrimination against both grass and legume stem. In summer sheep selected a higher quality (in vitro digestibility) diet (62.7%) than did cattle (53.4%) and goats (51.2%). In both autumn and winter cattle and sheep selected diets of similar digestibility (range 58.6-63.6%). In vitro digestibility of the extrusa samples was significantly (P&lt;0.05) correlated (r = 0.74) with the proportion of grass selected. It was concluded that in their grazing preferences, goats were more like cattle than sheep. The different preferences of sheep and goats for tropical legume leaf was associated with location of these legumes in the sward, goats browsing from the top down and sheep grazing from the bottom of the sward.

Recovery of Compacted Soil on Pastures Used for Winter Cattle Feeding

Soil bulk density measurements were taken from pastures used for winter feeding to determine the effects of different stocking rates on soil compaction and recovery. Samples were taken from paired ungrazed (control) pastures, normally grazed pastures (10 head per ha), and pastures grazed 4 times normal. Results show that significant differences occur in soil bulk density with increased stocking rates, and that 2 growing seasons with protection from grazing and trampling are insufficient time for complete recovery.

Forage Use, Water Consumption, and Productivity of Pronghorn Antelope in Western Utah

A study of herbage production, forage use, water consumption, and productivity of pronghorn antelope (Antilocapra americana) was conducted from 1961 through 1969, on semi-desert range in western Utah. Most of the data were obtained from a small herd of antelope confined by a fence to 10,000 acres. Herbage production on the study area ranged from 114-321 lbs of air-dried herbage per acre over a 5-year period. During the same period, annual precipitation ranged from 4.24-11.13 inches. During summers of above-average rainfall, forbs provided over 90 percent of the diet at the peak of their production. Conversely, in years of below-average summer rainfall, forbs were often scarce and contributed less than 20 percent, browse making up the remainder. Grass was commonly utilized by antelope in early spring, and occasionally in late summer and fall if new growth appeared. Succulence appeared to be the major characteristic of the forage sought by the antelope. During late fall and winter when nearly all forbs were dry, their diet was over 90 percent browse, mostly black sagebrush (Artemisia nova). Antelope water consumption varied inversely with the quantity and succulence of preferred forage species. When forbs were abundant and their moisture content was 75 percent or more, the antelope did not drink water even though it was readily available. As vegetation lost succulence, water consumption began, reaching 3 quarts of water per animal per day during extremely dry periods. Fawn:doe ratios on the study area ranged from 100:100 to 181:100. These ratios are for mature does. A statistical analysis of fawn production to precipitation received during the previous summer months indicated a significant relationship and gave statistical values of t = 4.42 (P < 0.01); r = 0.722 (P <0.05). Pronghorn antelope are not abundant in Utah despite their wide distribution within the state. Approximately 1,200 head range in small herds over roughly 15,000 square miles of semi-desert range similar to that on the study area. Historical evidence indicates that antelope were once more numerous than they have been in recent years (Udy 1953). Seton (1927:424) cited one report that numerous antelope were seen in Utah, but the specific area of Utah was not identified. By 1922 they had been reduced to less than 1,000 head (Nelson 1925:56). Concern over the apparent low productivity and the now relatively static population trend of this species led to its study on the semi-desert ranges of western Utah. 1 A contribution from Utah Federal Aid Project W-105-R, Department of Range Science, Utah State University, in cooperation with the Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Forest Service, U. S. Department of Agriculture. 2 Stationed at Utah State University, Logan. 570 These semi-desert ranges are primarily used for winter grazing by sheep and cattle. A few areas are also grazed in summer by cattle. Heavy grazing by livestock in the past has altered vegetative composition over much of the range and many browse species have been eliminated over large areas (Stewart et al. 1940). Some of these were preferred antelope forage. The adoption of improved management practices and the replacement of sheep by winter cattle grazing has resulted in recovery of browse plants, particularly black sagebrush, on some of these range lands. Hutchings and Stewart (1953:36) report considerable increase in herbage production from black sagebrush as a result of improved grazing practices. Special thanks are extended to personnel of the Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station for their cooperation and assistance. The authors are particularly grateful to R. C. Holmgren who provided This content downloaded from 207.46.13.51 on Tue, 21 Jun 2016 05:26:12 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms FORAGE USE AND WATER CONSUMPTION OF ANTELOPE * Beale and Smith 571 considerable help and encouragement throughout the study.