Project Number: 6619-13210-001-01
Project Type: Reimbursable

Start Date: Jan 01, 2001
End Date: Nov 30, 2004

Objective:
To determine the effect of stocking rates on cattle performance, animal behavior, location, and forage intake and digestion.

Approach:
One hundred-forty Brahman crossbred cows will be assigned to one of three stocking densities (0, 1.4, 2.5, and 3.3, and 0, 2.3, 4.0, and 5.3 acres/ animal unit for summer and winter pastures, respectively). In January, April, July, and October of each year (2001-2003), eight head of cattle (6 cows and 2 fistulated steers) per stocking rate treatment in one replicate will be dosed with a bolus containing C32 and C36 alkanes. Alkane content from C28-C36 will be determined on all herbage and fecal samples using GC. Botanical composition of the diet will be calculated and the average alkane content of the diet will be determined. Intake and digestibility of the diet will then be calculated. Nitrogen and P determinations will be conducted on forage and fecal samples, and the levels deposited on the pasture will be calculated. Fecal samples will be scanned with NIR to establish a prediction equation. At dosing, the eight cattle will fitted with GPS collars set to record animal position every 10 min for four days.

Project Team

Coleman, Samuel - Sam Williams, Mary - Mimi

Project Annual Reports

FY 2003   FY 2002

Related National Programs

Food Animal Production (101)   Rangeland, Pasture, and Forages (205)