The objective of this study was to determine the influence of early weaning (EW; approximately 130 d of age) and traditional weaning (TW; approximately 205 d of age) on cow performance, grazing behavior, and winter feed costs in a 2-yr study. Each year, 156 cow-calf pairs were stratified by calf sex, BCS, and age and assigned randomly to 1 of 2 treatments and 1 of 3 pastures. Two cows from each treatment and pasture were fitted with global positioning system collars each year to evaluate grazing behavior. After TW, EW and TW cows were separated and allotted to 1 of 6 pastures based on previous blocking criteria for winter feeding. Cows were fed to attain a similar BCS by 1 mo prior to parturition. Traditional-weaned cows lost 0.8 BCS units and 40 kg BW whereas the EW cows gained 0.1 BCS units and 8 kg BW from EW to TW (P < 0.01). After winter feeding (111 ± 0.4 d), there was no difference between EW and TW cow BCS (P = 0.52). Winter feed costs were $29 greater (P < 0.01) per cow for TW compared with EW. Grazing time, distance traveled, and number of visits to water were unaffected (P > 0.10) by treatment. However, pasture distribution by EW cows tended to be greater than that of TW cows (P = 0.08). Results indicate that EW improved cow BCS entering the winter feeding period, thereby decreasing winter feed costs. Cow grazing behavior was minimally affected by weaning treatment.

Our objective was to determine the influence of early weaning (130 ± 2 d; EW) and traditional weaning (209 ± 2 d; TW) on cow performance and grazing behavior within three 810-ha pastures. In addition, cow winter feed costs were compared. One hundred fifty-six cow/calf pairs (130 ± 2 d lactation; 78 steer calves and 78 heifer calves) were used in a Randomized Complete Block design in this first year of a two-year study. Cows were stratified by calf sex, BCS, and age and assigned randomly to one of two treatments (TRT) and one of three pastures. Two cows from each TRT and pasture were fitted with global positioning system collars to evaluate grazing behavior. EW calves were allotted to one of three pens (17 x 21 m), in a manner consistent with their dams blocking allocation, and provided meadow hay daily at approximately 2.5% of BW (DM basis) from EW to TW (79 d). The TW calves grazed with their dams during this time. In addition, EW calves were provided 1.0 kghd -1 d -1 (DM basis) of a supplement formulated to contain 26% CP. All cows were removed from pastures following TW and placed in six separate 25 ha pastures. The same cow groups (blocks) remained intact; however, EW and TW cows were separated and randomly allotted to pastures. Cows were fed 110 d to attain a similar BCS (minimum of 5) by approximately 1 mo prior to calving. The TW cows lost 0.5 BCS and 44 kg while the EW cows gained 0.4 BCS and 12 kg from EW to TW (P < 0.01). After 110 d of feeding, there was no difference between EW and TW cow BCS (P = 0.59). However, winter feed costs were $28 greater (P = 0.07) for TW compared with EW cows. Grazing time, distance traveled, number of visits to water, and cow distribution in rangeland pastures were unaffected (P > 0.10) by TRT. Results suggest that EW can improve cow BCS entering the winter feeding period, thereby, decreasing winter feed costs. Cow grazing behavior was not affected by weaning treatment.

The objectives of this research were to determine the influence of protein supplementation frequency on cow performance, grazing time, distance traveled, maximum distance from water, cow distribution, DMI, DM digestibility, harvest efficiency, percentage of supplementation events frequented, and CV for supplement intake for cows grazing low-quality forage. One hundred twenty pregnant (60 +/- 45 d) Angus x Hereford cows (467 +/- 4 kg BW) were used in a 3 x 3 Latin square design for one 84-d period in each of three consecutive years. Cows were stratified by age, BCS, and BW and assigned randomly to one of three 810-ha pastures. Treatments included an unsupplemented control (CON) and supplementation every day (D; 0.91 kg, DM basis) or once every 6 d (6D; 5.46 kg, DM basis) with cottonseed meal (CSM; 43% CP, DM basis). Four cows from each treatment (each year) were fitted with global positioning system collars to estimate grazing time, distance traveled, maximum distance from water, cow distribution, and percentage of supplementation events frequented. Collared cows were dosed with intraruminal n-alkane controlled-release devices on d 28 for estimation of DMI, DM digestibility, and harvest efficiency. Additionally, Cr2O3 was incorporated into CSM on d 36 at 3% of DM for use as a digesta flow marker to estimate the CV for supplement intake. Cow BW and BCS change were greater (P < or = 0.03) for supplemented treatments compared with CON. No BW or BCS differences (P > or = 0.14) were noted between D and 6D. Grazing time was greater (P = 0.04) for CON compared with supplemented treatments, with no difference (P = 0.26) due to supplementation frequency. Distance traveled, maximum distance from water, cow distribution, DMI, DM digestibility, and harvest efficiency were not affected (P > or = 0.16) by protein supplementation or supplementation frequency. The percentage of supplementation events frequented and the CV for supplement intake were not affected (P > or = 0.58) by supplementation frequency. Results suggest that providing protein daily or once every 6 d to cows grazing low-quality forage increases BW and BCS gain, while decreasing grazing time. Additionally, protein supplementation and supplementation frequency may have little to no effect on cow distribution, DMI, and harvest efficiency in the northern Great Basin.

Our objective was to determine the influence of CP supplementation frequency (SF) on cow performance, grazing time, distance traveled, maximum distance from water, and cow distribution within three 810- ha pastures. One hundred-twenty pregnant (approx. 60 d) cows (467 ± 4 kg BW) were used in a 3 x 3 Latin square for one 84-d period in each of 3 yr. Cows were stratified by age, body condition score (BCS), and weight and assigned randomly to one of three pastures. Treatments (TRT) included an unsupplemented control (CON), daily supplementation (D; 0.91 kg; DM basis), and supplementation once every 6 d (6D; 5.46 kg; DM basis). Cottonseed meal (43% CP; DM basis) was provided as the supplemental CP source. Water, mineral/salt, and supplement placement within each pasture were maintained in the same location each year of the study. Four cows from each treatment (each year) were fitted with global positioning system collars to estimate grazing time (h/d), distance traveled (m/d), maximum distance from water (m/d), and cow distribution (percentage of ha occupiedpasture -1 •yr -1 ). Cow weight and BCS change were more positive (P ≤ 0.03) for supplemented TRT compared with CON. No weight and BCS differences (P ≥ 0.14) occurred between D and 6D. Grazing time was greater (P = 0.04) for CON compared with supplemented TRT with no difference (P = 0.26) because of SF. Distance traveled, maximum distance from water, and cow distribution were not affected (P ≥ 0.40) by supplementation or SF. Results suggest that CP supplementation, provided daily or once every 6 d, of cows grazing low-quality forage increases weight and BCS gain while decreasing grazing time. Additionally, cow distribution may not be affected by CP supplementation or SF.

Energy requirements for a land imprinter and rangeland drill, were determined on seedbeds with -6.5,0.0,5.0, and 8.5% slopes.The imprinter was tested empty (1.3 Mg/m), full (1.9Mg/m), and half-full (1.67 Mg/m) of water.The rangeland drill was half width (1.5 m wide).Each implement was pulled over 4 replicated 23-m runs per slope.During each test run we recorded speed of travel and 10 drawbar force measurements, sensed with a load cell and integrated over 100 milliseconds.A procedure outlined by the American Society of Agricultural Engineers was used to estimate cost of use for a 3-m wide rangeland drill and imprinter 3/4 full of water.A 5-year implement age and 100 hours use per year were assumed.Operating costs for the land imprinter and rangeland drill were $56.92/ha and $40.27/ha, respectively, excluding grass seed.

Estrblishment of forage kochia (Kochiuprostruta subsp. virestens) stands from planting utricles has been erratic in the northern Great Basin. This study evaluated the effect of different seedbed environments varied by planting date on germination of utricles and seedling establishment. Utricles harvested in 1986 were planted on tilled seedbeds in late fall, winter, early and late spring 1986-87, and late fall, winter, and early spring 1987-88. Soils are fine-loamy, mixed, mesic, Xerollic Haplargids underlain by coarse gravel at a depth of 1.5 m. Utricles were broadcast at 400 pure live utricles/m* in 2 by 2-m plots replicated 5 times. Additionally, nylon bags containing utricles were placed on the soil surface during planting, and on each subsequent planting date, bags of utricles were retrieved for germination trials. Seedling establishment was improved 85% (p

Effectiveness of a land imprinter and rangeland drill for establishing ‘Nordan’ crested wheatgrass (Agropyron abrtorum) from fall plantings on loose and firm seedbeds was compared in the northern Great Basin in 1982 and 1984. Seedbed treatments applied on a Wyoming big sagebrush (Artemisia tridcntata subsp. wyom&ens&)-Thurber needlegrass (St&u thurberiana) habitat type included brushbeating, brushbeating plus disking, and no treatment. Crested wheatgrass seed was planted at 6.7 kg/ha by broadcasting before imprinting broadcasting after imprinting, with a rangeland drill equipped with depth bands and at 3.4 kg/ ha with a rangeland drill with deep-furrow openers. Maximum seedling emergence occurred on brushbeat-disked seedbeds planted by.broadcasting before imprinting in 1982 (37/m*) and 1984 (22/m*) and by drilling with regular openers in 1982 (23/m*). Seedling emergence was almost twice as good with imprinting compared to drilling on loose-brushbeat-disked seedbeds, but 2 to 4 times more seedlings emerged from drilling than imprinting on firm-unprepared seedbeds. Maximum yields produced 2 and 3 years after planting averaged 500 to 1,ooO kg/ha on brushbeatdlsked seedbeds planted by broadcasting before imprinting and regular drilling. Imprinting may be a viable alternative to drilling in this region on loose seedbeds.

Knowledge of the effects of saturated soils and flooding on Wyoming big sagebrush (Artem& tridkntata wyomingensis), green rabbitbrusb fChry~&~~~~us viscid#for~~), and black gmsewood (Sarcobatus vem&ulat~@ an enhance our understanding of their distribution. Tbe responses of these 3 species to elevated water tables were studied on 4 contours bordering an expanding lake in southeast Oregon during the 1983 and 1984 growing seasons. When plants were initially selected for study, contours were 0, 10,20, and 40 cm above the iake surface. Continued expansion of the lake flooded the lower contours and elevated the water tables under the upper contours. Wyoming big sagebrush rapidly succumbed to surface flooding and elevated water tables within 10 cm of the surface. Green rabbitbrush behaved similarly, but responses lagged about 1 week behind sagebrush. Biack greasewood toierated surface flooding for 40 days before effects were apparent. Water tables within 25 to 30 cm of the surface had no effect on greasewood. Given adequate topography and water supplies, water spreading techniques could be used to control Wyoming big sagebrush and green rabbitbrush. Wyoming big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata Nutt. subsp. wyomingensis Beetle and Young) and black greasewood (Sarcobatus vermiculatus (Hook.) Torr.) are dominant or codominanb shrubs on large expanses of western rangelands (Tisdale and’ Hironaka 1981, Franklin and Dyrness 1973, Romo 1985). Green rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus viscidiforus (Hook.) Nutt.), typically a minor shrub component in climax communities, may also dominate areas where fire, overgrazing, or other disturbances have reduced the competitive ability of the accompanying vegetation (Young and Evans 1974). These 3 species, either singularly or collectively, shape the character and competitively control large areas within the Great Basin. Due to the importance of these shrubs in the region, land man