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ARS Home » Plains Area » Fort Collins, Colorado » Center for Agricultural Resources Research » Rangeland Resources & Systems Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #346161
Title: Developing a year-round objective measure of Colorado rangeland nutrient composition

Author
item HORNE, CAITLIN - Colorado State University
item RHODES, RYAN - Colorado State University
item AHOLA, JASON - Colorado State University
item ENGLE, TERRY - Colorad0 State University
item BRUMMER, JOEL - Colorado State University
item MEIMAN, PAUL - Colorado State University
item Derner, Justin

Submitted to: Society for Range Management Meeting Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/5/2017
Publication Date: 2/9/2018
Citation: Horne, C.D., Rhodes, R.D., Ahola, J.K., Engle, T.J., Brummer, J.E., Meiman, P.J., Derner, J.D. 2018. Developing a year-round objective measure of Colorado rangeland nutrient composition. Society for Range Management Meeting Abstracts. Abstract Proceedings of the 71st Society for Range Management, Technical Training, and Trade Show. Jan 28 - Feb 2, 2018, Sparks, NV.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: A goal for any rangeland grazing operation is to attain an appropriate balance among available forage resources where forage nutrient composition and supplementation (i.e. if needed) meets daily nutritional demands of livestock. To accomplish this on a short-term basis, the producer needs to have information about nutrient and mineral content of the forage. There is no comprehensive, quantitative seasonal description of rangeland forage available for Colorado. This project aims to design and field-test a sampling and analysis protocol to estimate seasonal rangeland forage quality and variation over spatial scales throughout the year. Geographically diverse locations (n=4) across Colorado are being sampled and collections are done monthly for one year to capture seasonal variation in quality. Samples are collected at each location via clipping (n=12) and grab (n=3) techniques. All forage collected within a hoop (0.5 m diameter) is combined into a single composite sample. Ocular estimates of foliar cover (%) for different types of vegetation, litter, bare ground, and live or dead forage are recorded before forage is clipped. Phenological stage for each vegetation type is recorded. Forage quality will be assessed based on levels of crude protein (CP), total digestible nutrients (TDN), acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and minerals. Validated sampling protocol could be used to construct a more comprehensive state-wide study. Pilot survey results will help highlight the importance of site-specific forage analysis to develop more cost-effective supplementation programs. Results will strengthen producer knowledge and the value of range beef cow nutrition management recommendations in Colorado.