Grazing Behavior, Forage Quality, and Intake Rates of Livestock Grazing Pastures Occupied by Prairie Dogs

Prairie dogs can reduce the carrying capacity on rangelands by up to 50% through direct consumption of vegetation and clipping plants. Studies have shown that forage quality digestibility are greater prairie dog towns than off town; however, research is lacking quantifies rates nutrition intake cattle. In 2012−2016, a study was conducted in South Dakota evaluate livestock grazing behavior, diet quality, three plant communities pastures occupied dogs. Plant studied were grass dominated on-town sites (PDOG-GRASS), forb (PDOG-FORB), off-town (NO-PDOG). Three with varying levels occupation (0%, 20%, 40%) studied. Each pasture grazed herd yearling steers, subset which fitted Global Positioning System (GPS) collars. Daily time spent estimated for each community. Forage using ruminally fistulated steers allowed graze 30-min increments within community June, July, August year. Rumen samples weighed analyzed quality. Intake calculated as rate organic matter per minute multiplied average based GPS collar data. Livestock preference decreased linearly (P < 0.001) PDOG-GRASS increased = NO-PDOG growing season. Crude protein content significantly higher 0.002) PDOG-FORB versus NO-PDOG. Few differences evident between communities. Organic similar communities; reduced 59% compared sites. This will inform land managers potential contributions colonized