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Evaluation of Cattle Grazing Distribution in Response to Weed and Legume Removal in Mixed Tall Fescue (Schedonorus phoenix) and Legume Pastures

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Bryan C. Sather
Affiliation:
Division of Plant Sciences, Waters Hall, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211
Robert L. Kallenbach
Affiliation:
Division of Plant Sciences, Waters Hall, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211
William J. Sexten
Affiliation:
Division of Animal Sciences, S132a ASRC, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211
Kevin W. Bradley*
Affiliation:
Division of Plant Sciences, Waters Hall, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211
*
Corresponding author's E-mail: bradleyke@missouri.edu.

Abstract

Grazing experiments were conducted during 2009 and 2010 to investigate the effect of herbicide application and subsequent weed removal on cattle grazing distribution in mixed tall fescue and legume pastures. At each location, herbicide applications were made to one-half of the grazed hectares to remove existing weeds and brush. Weeds and legumes were left nontreated across the remaining half of the grazed hectares at each location. Global positioning system tracking collars were fitted to three beef cows at each site and coordinates from each collar were recorded at 1-h intervals for 3 to 4 mo after herbicide application. At each location, broadleaf weeds were reduced from 1 to 51 kg ha−1, and legumes were completely eliminated in herbicide-treated compared to nontreated portions of the pastures. By the end of the season, the forage grass and legume component of pastures was greater and weed component lower in treated compared to nontreated portions of the pastures. By 3 mo after treatment, the cattle distribution was 1.3 to 5 times greater in herbicide-treated compared to nontreated portions of pastures. Overall, results from these experiments indicate herbicide treatment can increase desirable forage mass and thus modify cattle grazing distribution in pastures.

Durante 2009 y 2010, se realizaron experimentos de pastoreo para investigar el efecto de la aplicación de herbicidas y la subsiguiente remoción de malezas sobre la distribución de pastoreo de ganado en mezclas de Schedonorus phoenix y pasturas leguminosas. En cada sitio, se hicieron aplicaciones de herbicidas en una mitad de las hectáreas pastoreadas para remover malezas y arbustos existentes. Las malezas y leguminosas no fueron tratadas en la mitad restante de las hectáreas pastoreadas en cada sitio. Collares de seguimiento con sistemas de posicionamiento global fueron colocados en tres vacas de engorde en cada sitio y se registraron las coordenadas de cada collar en intervalos de una hora por 3 a 4 meses después de la aplicación del herbicida. En cada sitio, las malezas de hoja ancha se redujeron entre 1 y 51 kg ha−1, y las leguminosas fueron completamente eliminadas en pasturas tratadas con herbicidas, en comparación con las porciones no tratadas. Al final de la temporada, el componente de zacates y leguminosas en las pasturas fue mayor y el componente de malezas menor en las porciones tratadas en comparación con las no tratadas. A tres meses después del tratamiento, la distribución del ganado fue 1.3 a 5 veces mayor en las porciones de pasturas tratadas en comparación con las no tratadas. En general, los resultados de estos experimentos indican que el tratamiento con herbicidas puede incrementar la masa de forrajes deseables y así modificar la distribución de pastoreo del ganado en las pasturas.

Type
Weed Management—Other Crops/Areas
Copyright
Copyright © Weed Science Society of America 

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