@article {JRN55286,
	title = {Weight gain, grazing behavior and carcass quality of desert grass-fed Rar{\'a}muri Criollo vs. crossbred steers},
	journal = {Livestock Science},
	volume = {249},
	year = {2021},
	month = {10 April 2021},
	abstract = {Rar{\'a}muri Criollo cattle producers often crossbreed their cows with improved beef-breed bulls and/or retain and develop their yearlings on rangeland because of limited weaned calf markets, however it is unknown if Rar{\'a}muri Criollo steers exhibit marketable weight gains and carcass qualities, or desirable grazing behaviors documented in cows of this biotype. We evaluated two cohorts (cohort: 1 = 31, 2 = 26) of Rar{\'a}muri Criollo (JRC), Mexican Criollo (MC) and Criollo {\texttimes} beef-breed crossbred (XC) steers to investigate effects of biotype on growth, carcass traits, and landscape utilization. Steers were weighed approximately once every 2-mo and average daily gains (ADG) calculated. Nine JRC and XC steers per cohort were monitored at 5-min intervals via global positioning systems (GPS) for 1-mo during winter (2015{\textendash}16) and late-summer (2016{\textendash}17). Weight and carcass data were analyzed using mixed measures procedures to identify differences between biotype through time. Discriminant analyses were conducted to determine whether grazing behaviors could be discriminated among: 1) JRC and XC steers and JRC cows; 2) steers by season (winter vs. summer); and 3) steers of cohort 1 and 2. Final live and carcass weights of XC were greater than JRC and MC, but all were market ready at 30-mo following a grass-finishing protocol. Carcass quality and ADG were not different among biotypes. Steers were discriminated into different season or cohort groups based on grazing behavior differences but JRC and XC steers exhibited grazing patterns that were similar to those previously observed in JRC cows. Our results suggest that JRC, MC, and XC steers can be developed to slaughter weights in 30-mo using a rangeland-based grass-fed protocol, and that JRC and XC steers exhibit desirable grazing behaviors previously observed in JRC cows.},
	keywords = {beef cattle, climate change, Grass finished steers, Grass-fed supply-chain, Heritage genetics, livestock behavior},
	issn = {1871-1413},
	doi = {10.1016/j.livsci.2021.104511},
	url = {files/bibliography/21-020.pdf},
	author = {Matthew M. McIntosh and Andr{\'e}s F. Cibils and Richard E. Estell and S. Nyamuryekung{\textquoteright}e and Amy L. Gonzalez and Qixu Gong and Huiping Cao and S. Spiegal and S. Soto-Navarro and Amanda D.Blair}
}
@article {49925,
	title = {Rotational grazing systems and livestock grazing behavior in shrub-dominated semi-arid and arid rangelands},
	journal = {Rangeland Ecology and Management},
	volume = {64},
	year = {2011},
	month = {01/2011},
	pages = {1-9},
	chapter = {1},
	abstract = {<p>Rotational grazing systems (RGS) are often implemented to alleviate undesirable selective grazing by livestock. At both fine and coarse scales, livestock selectively graze individual plants, patches, communities, and landscapes. Smaller pastures, increased stocking density, and rotation allow managers to constrain livestock movement and determine season and frequency of grazing, potentially limiting selectivity and preventing repeated grazing of preferred plants. However, in arid and semi-arid rangelands, forage growth is limited primarily by precipitation rather than defoliation frequency. When soil moisture is adequate, forage is abundant and defoliation levels are typically low, and repeated, intensive defoliation of preferred plants is less likely than in more mesic areas where more consistent precipitation and soil moisture storage allows animals to establish and maintain spatial hierarchies of grazing patterns. Many southwestern rangelands contain diverse vegetation, which provides quality forage during different times of the year. These spatial and temporal patterns of forage distribution may not be amenable to manipulation with RGS. Tracking data show that livestock often alternate among locations within pasture boundaries and can opportunistically exploit areas with higher quality forage when they are available. Higher stock densities combined with higher stocking rates can increase livestock use of less preferred areas, but overall distribution patterns of intensive-rotational and extensive grazing systems are often comparable at similar stocking rates and distances from water. Management that ensures that grazing of riparian areas does not occur during the critical late summer period may be more beneficial than RGS that periodically defers livestock use throughout the grazing season. In arid and semi-arid shrublands, timely adjustments to animal numbers and practices that improve grazing distribution at regional and landscape scales are more likely to be effective in maintaining or improving rangeland health than fencing and RGS.</p>
},
	keywords = {foraging strategies, grazing management, grazing systems, livestock behavior, livestock distribution, stocking density},
	doi = {10.2111/REM-D-09-00184.1},
	url = {/files/bibliography/11-042.pdf},
	author = {C. Donovan Bailey and Joel R. Brown}
}
@conference {50652,
	title = {Management effects on livestock use of landscapes: Protein supplementation},
	booktitle = {89th Annual Meeting, Ecological Society of America},
	year = {2004},
	month = {August 1, 2004},
	pages = {Abstract p. 166},
	address = {Portland, OR},
	abstract = {Over half of the Earth{\textquoteright}s land surface is grazed by livestock. The effects of livestock grazing on terrestrial ecosystems range from detrimental to beneficial depending on ecosystem attributes and livestock management. Understanding the ecological implications of livestock management decisions is central to successful human interactions with complex environments.  For example, supplementing heifers with a 32\% protein supplement concentrated heifer movements in areas near water and supplementation points. Prior to supplementation, animal movements were dispersed throughout the pasture. While concentrated movements are at times desirable, they can also trigger undesirable ecosystem trajectories. As part of a larger goal to better understand the ecological impacts of livestock grazing, we designed a study to examine the effects of protein supplementation, a common management practice, on livestock use of landscapes. Thirty-six multiparous, lactating, Angus x Hereford cows were randomly assigned to one of three treatments: (1) control (CON), no supplementation, (2) supplementation each day at 0700 (AM) with 0.75 kg of a 32\% crude protein pellet, or (3) supplementation at 1300 (PM) each day with the same supplement. Fifteen days prior to the study, animals were allowed to become familiar with experimental procedures and the 2,425 ha study pasture described as Chihuahuan Desert grassland ecotype. Animals from each treatment were fitted with Lotek GPS collars and rotated into the study pasture for a period of 5 days for three rotations. Animal position was acquired every 5 minutes. Mean distance from water differed (P < .0001) across treatments (2.55, 2.09, and 1.53 km for CON, PM, and AM, respectively). Distance traveled per day also differed (P < .0001) across treatments (7.17, 7.20, and 7.96 km/day for CON, PM, and AM, respectively). The area encompassing daily activities (Jennrich-Turner estimate of home range) also differed (P < .0001; 4.3, 2.8, and 3.9 square km/day for CON, PM, and AM, respectively). Protein supplementation and timing of supplementation affect the spatial use of desert grasslands and is likely to have important ecological implications. Furthermore, research examining livestock impacts must do so with an understanding of the effects of management on livestock behavior.},
	keywords = {ecological impacts, ecosystems, livestock, livestock behavior, livestock management, protein supplementation},
	author = {E.L. Fredrickson and J. Koppa and Richard E. Estell and D.M. Anderson and Kris Havstad}
}
@proceedings {51872,
	title = {Livestock behavior--The neglected link in understanding the plant-animal interface},
	year = {1985},
	month = {1985},
	pages = {116-148},
	address = {Morrilton, AK},
	abstract = {Mixed species grazing of cattle and sheep on rangeland has been advocated for over 40 years as ecologically and economically sound. Past research has concentrated mainly on the nutrition of the grazing animal. To improve the efficiency of animal production into the 21st century, understanding the behavior of grazing animals will be essential. Behavior of free-ranging animals is dynamic with respect to time and space, in addition to being influenced by both abiotic and biotic factors. The complexity in investigating this plant-animal system has led to the adaptation and/or development of many mechanical and electronic devices. With integration of several disciplines, an interdisciplinary team approach should provide major advances in understanding and developing sound grazing management practices. Initial results from a mixed-species grazing study involving nutrition and behavior began on the Jornada Experimental Range in 1984. Preliminary data suggest that cattle and sheep diets are complementary and that both animal species have unique temporal and spatial behavior patterns.},
	keywords = {grazing study, Jornada Experimental Range, livestock behavior, plant-animal system},
	url = {/files/bibliography/274.pdf},
	author = {D.M. Anderson and J. N. Smith and Clarence V. Hulet}
}
