An experiment was conducted to evaluate the influence of forest fuels reduction on the diet quality, botanical composition, relative preference, and foraging efficiency of beef cattle grazing at different stocking rates. A split plot factorial design was used, with the whole plots (3 ha) being fuel reduced or no treatment...
We conducted two experiments evaluating perennial ryegrass straw as a forage source for ruminants. Experiment 1 evaluated digestion and physiological variables in steers offered perennial ryegrass straw containing increasing levels of lolitrem B. Sixteen ruminally cannulated Angus X Hereford steers (231 ± 2 kg BW) were blocked by weight and...
The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of cow age on grazing distribution relative to mountain riparian areas. In each of two years, sixty cow-calf pairs were stratified by age into the following treatments: 1) thirty first calf heifers (442 kg, body condition score (BCS)=4.5), and 2)...
This study evaluated the influence of cattle stocking density on botanical composition of diet, diet preference, and cattle performance on the Zumwalt Prairie in Northeastern Oregon. In each of two years, 192 cow-calf pairs (549.27 kg, BCS = 4.89) and 48 yearling heifers (383.34 kg, BCS = 5.02) were stratified...
The objectives of the experiment were to: 1) determine the relationship
between overstory canopy cover and ungulate herbivory on understory production
composition and diversity and 2) determine the effects of timber harvest, ungulate
herbivory and season of use on botanical composition and nutritional quality of
beef cattle diets. Three randomly...
Three experiments were conducted to evaluate the influence of quality of
supplemental alfalfa quality on beef cattle consuming low-quality meadow grass (MG)
roughages. Fifteen steers (250 kg) were assigned randomly to one of three treatments: 1)
meadow grass (5.2% CP), no supplement (MNS); 2) meadow grass plus high quality
alfalfa...
Four studies were conducted on late-summer diet quality and quantity of cattle (Bos taurus), mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus hemionus), and elk (Cervus elaphus) in response to prior grazing by cattle and elk on mixed-conifer rangelands and on related research techniques. In our first study we assessed a photographic technique to...
Two trials were conducted to evaluate changes in the quantity, quality, and moisture of available forage in the pasture, and shrub utilization by cattle during a 30-d late summer grazing period (Trial 1) and the effect of cow age (experience) on grazing distribution and diet composition (Trial 2) in mountain...
A study was conducted to determine effects of year and season on diet quality of beef cattle grazing northern Great Basin rangelands from 1990 to 1993. Forage quality was high early in the growing season, then declined as seasons progressed (P<.05). Plant chemical composition was higher early in the growing...
Purebred Jersey steers are often overlooked for beef production due to the perceived poor growth and production. Currently dairy persons marketing their steer offspring are receiving minimal compensation due to lack of demand by beef feeders and a saturated veal market. Twenty purebred Jersey steers were used to evaluate lifetime...
Three studies were conducted to evaluate different grazing systems on mixed conifer rangelands in eastern Oregon, and photo points and aerial photography was used to determine effects of 25 years of cattle grazing on stream channel changes and vegetation responses. The first study was designed to determine if grazing treatment...
The objective of this study was to determine if supplementing linoleic or α-linolenic acids, and timing of supplementation around AI will alter supplemental intake, ADG, and serum progesterone (P4), cholesterol, and triglyceride concentrations in replacement Angus crossbred heifers. In yr 1, 54 heifers, stratified by age, were assigned to: barley...
Invasion by non-native plants into natural areas is an important component of global change that threatens biodiversity and ecosystem structure and function. Mountains are currently among the least invaded ecosystems, however, these biodiversity hotspots are increasingly under threat of exotic plant invasion. Evaluation of plant species distribution patterns in mountain...
Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the influence of a yeast-derived cell wall preparation (YCW) on forage intake and digestibility, ruminal fermentation characteristics, serum prolactin and prolactin stores, and milk production in beef cattle consuming high-alkaloid tall fescue straw. In Exp. 1, 16 Angus x Hereford ruminally cannulated steers (200...
Published June 1993. Facts and recommendations in this publication may no longer be valid. Please look for up-to-date information in the OSU Extension Catalog: http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog
Two studies were conducted to determine the factors influencing distribution of cattle on northeastern Oregon mixed-conifer forested rangelands. The objective of the first study was the quantification of differences in distribution of cattle of different ages. Beginning in 1991, and continuing through 2001, radio telemetry collars were placed on a...