Source: SOUTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY submitted to NRP
FOUR-STATE RUMINANT NUTRITION CONSORTIUM
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
SPECIAL GRANT
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0215290
Grant No.
2008-34486-19581
Cumulative Award Amt.
(N/A)
Proposal No.
2008-04291
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Sep 1, 2008
Project End Date
Aug 31, 2011
Grant Year
2008
Program Code
[TO]- Ruminant Nutrition Consortium, MT, ND, SD, WY
Recipient Organization
SOUTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY
PO BOX 2275A
BROOKINGS,SD 57007
Performing Department
ANIMAL & RANGE SCIENCES
Non Technical Summary
The Four-States Ruminant Consortium was created to provide economic development through integrated, value-added, ruminant animal programs in northwest South Dakota, southwest North Dakota, northeast Wyoming, and southeast Montana. This is an area of sparse population and even sparser resources, with rangeland, cattle, and sheep being the main resources available. Research scientists and extension specialists from 1862 and 1994 land-grant institutions in the region are invited to develop grant proposals that fit in 3 main components: 1) Synergistic Crop and Livestock Systems; 2) Value-added Ruminant Animal Strategies; 3) Risk Management and Product Marketing Strategies. Project teams must be multidisciplinary and integrate research and extension activities. Proposals from project teams with personnel from 2 or more of the four states will be given preference, and projects supporting work on or with 1994 and/or other minority serving institutions will be given priority. Research will be disseminated to ranchers, producers, and allied industry members in a wide variety of delivery methods. Impact will be change in production systems and enhanced profitability through more informed management decisions.
Animal Health Component
70%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
70%
Developmental
30%
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
1213310101010%
1316020301012%
3043310104010%
3073310108010%
3073310101016%
3083310101010%
3143310115010%
6013310301010%
6016030301012%
Knowledge Area
601 - Economics of Agricultural Production and Farm Management; 314 - Toxic Chemicals, Poisonous Plants, Naturally Occurring Toxins, and Other Hazards Affecting Animals; 308 - Improved Animal Products (Before Harvest); 307 - Animal Management Systems; 304 - Animal Genome; 121 - Management of Range Resources; 131 - Alternative Uses of Land;

Subject Of Investigation
3310 - Beef cattle, live animal; 6020 - The family and its members; 6030 - The farm as an enterprise;

Field Of Science
1040 - Molecular biology; 1010 - Nutrition and metabolism; 1080 - Genetics; 3010 - Economics; 1150 - Toxicology;
Goals / Objectives
The objective of this integrated research and extension program is to enhance economic development in the four state area of South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana, and Wyoming by strengthening and capturing value from the ruminant livestock industry. This program provides the information and technology necessary to develop, implement, and analyze livestock management and marketing strategies. A systems approach to livestock production and marketing will provide viable economic gains for stakeholders residing in the region. Personnel from the four-state area will be asked to develop programs that identify and evaluate alternative crop/livestock systems as a method to provide economic development through value added ruminant animal programs. The research and extension programs will fit within the following integrated components: (1) synergistic crop and livestock systems (2) value added ruminant animal strategies (3) marketing strategies Scientists and Extension personnel from the 4 states develop teams that submit research proposals in these areas. A committee of Experiment Station Directors and Animal & Range Science department heads then evaluate the proposals and make awards based on the ability to meet the goals of the program. There is also a very strong effort at including the Native American communities in these 4 states in projects. The 4 trials and expected outputs are as follows: 1.Alternate beef system grazing strategies to improve ranch profitability and rural community sustainability, ranchers will have side-by-side comparisons of traditional vs alternate feeding & weaning strategies with a system economic analysis to help them best utilize their limited resources. 2. Differential gene expression as an indicator of tolerance to high sulfate water in steers, if gene markers can be identified for sulfur intolerance, producers can select away from breeding stock with this trait. Since much of the water in this region is high sulfate, this research would reduce animal distress by removing the population susceptible to sulfate toxicity and producer profitability. 3. Overcoming challenges associated with natural lamb and beef production, the natural niche market provides an alternate market for beef and lamb producers and this trial will establish baselines for production, carcass, and reproductive data so producers can accurately evaluate which system will provide them with the greatest economic return. 4. An evaluation of opportunities and constraints created by changing land ownership patterns in the northern great plains, as more land is purchased for non agricultural purposes (hunting, recreation, etc), land price is elevated above what ranchers and farmers can afford to pay for it strictly based on production. Therefore, this trial will look at the economics of owned and rented land arrangements on producer profitability, and the development of alternate lease strategies to allow producers to be successful.
Project Methods
Project 1. Cows will be assigned to one of 2 main treatments: early weaning or normal weaning and winter feeding: grazing (low input) or feeding (high input). Cow response will be analyzed as a CRD with a 2x2 factorial arrangement of weaning date and winter management, with year as replication. The steer calf portion of the study will include a 2x2 factorial experiment with one-half of the steer calves from each weaning treatment (NW and EW) going either directly to a feedlot or will be fed on a grazing system. The economic analysis will determine the net return on expenses and net return on enterprise assets. This new knowledge will show producers the economics strengths and weaknesses of each system, and will allow them to choose the best system for their own unique conditions. Project 2. Cattle will be allocated to one of 3 treatments: 400 mg sulfate/L water, 3000 mg sulfate/L water + additive, 3000 mg sulfate/L water. A subpopulation of the most resistant and most susceptible steer will be selected and used to identify differentially expressed genes between susceptible and resistant steers. Identification of high sulfate susceptible animals will allow producers to employ alternative management and/or selection strategies to partially alleviate associated economic losses. This research will be published in a series of journals and Extension publications. Also, information from these experiments will be presented at informal producer and/or industry meetings throughout the regions outlined by the consortium. Project 3. Half of the calves from each cooperator will follow a conventional program protocol and the other half will follow a natural program protocol. Part 2 looks at the impact of natural finishing protocols on costs of production, lamb performance, and carcass quality. In Part 3, investigators will determine the impact of PG600 and GnRH on reproduction rate outside the normal breeding season. Data will be published in journals and distributed to county Extension staff, veterinarians, beef cattle and sheep producers, and allied industry personnel through the use of newsletters, news releases, websites, and through local and regional Extension meetings. To measure the impact of this program at the producer level, survey instruments will utilized at each of the symposia. Project 4. A questionnaire will be mailed to a sample of producers and will focus on identifying the factors that new producers believe are most important in developing a relationship with an absentee landlord. An interactive tool will be developed that will allow producers and landowners help them determine an appropriate rental rate for lands that are managed for both agricultural and recreational uses will be developed. Training sessions will be held in all 4 states, and all material will also be available on the World Wide Web. These materials will be available at all county Extension offices, and will be designed so that the agent can send out a newsletter once a month to the clients they are working with.

Progress 09/01/08 to 08/31/11

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Project 1 (Olson). Cow BCS and body weights were greater in November (normal-weaning, NW) for the cows in the Early Weaning (EW) treatment. Cow BCS was consistently increased for the cows in the early-weaning and high-input winter feeding treatments in the last two years of the study, indicating a long-term effect of treatments. Cow reproductive performance and longevity were not affected by time of weaning or level of winter supplementation. Calf body weights were similar between treatments at birth and at the time of EW, weaning weights of NW calves were greater than EW. EW calves in both feedlot and corn gained more weight than NW calves. During finishing, EW feedlot steers gained slowest but most efficiently, whereas corn-grazed steers from both weaning treatments gained most rapidly, but at lower feed efficiencies. Project 2 (Cammack). Yearling steers (n = 96) were randomly assigned treatments: low-S water (LS; 375 mg SO4/L), high-S water (HS; 2,218 mg SO4/L), or high-S water plus Mo (100 mg Mo/kg DM). Daily DMI and ADG were affected by treatment and period. DMI was greater in both LS and HS steers than in HSMO steers. Similar results were observed for ADG. Hepatic concentrations of Cu, Fe, and Mo were all affected by treatment. Ruminal H2S levels were affected by treatment: greater H2S concentrations in HSMO. Through RNA sequencing analysis 34 phosphoprotein functional group genes were identified as differentially expressed between HS and LS treatment groups, and 95 plasma membrane structure and apoptosis regulation genes between HS and HSMO treatment groups. Real-time RT-PCR results indicate that consuming high-S water with or without supplemental Mo in feedlot steers alters hepatic gene expression. Project 3 (Lardy). Two feedlot trials, one N balance trial, and three reproduction trials were conducted. Data is being analyzed and prepared for publication. One M.S. student defended her thesis (reproduction trials), and another M.S. student is preparing to defend (feedlot trials). Results have been disseminated to livestock producers through regional and statewide extension and outreach efforts, as well as at regional and national scientific meetings. A two-day train-the-trainer session for extension professionals from North Dakota, South Dakota, and Montana was held in Rapid City. Training session topics included animal health, feeding, management, and economic considerations for managing natural cattle. A CD-ROM with the information presented at the meetings was also produced. In addition, two extension bulletins related to the topics were produced. Project 4 (Leistritz, et al.). A survey of producers in the 4-state study area was conducted to determine land ownership characteristics, including rented and leased land and identify attitudes on key issues facing landowners and farm and ranch operators. The study was prompted to identify if alternative land use such as recreation and wildlife production was a potential competitor for land for production agriculture. The study also examined the potential effects of increasing absentee land ownership on production agriculture. A department report was published detailing findings. PARTICIPANTS: Principal investigator responsibilities were transferred from Gary Lemme to Daniel Scholl. Project 1. Kenneth C. Olson: Coordinated efforts of research team, managed livestock field research, established specific data collection protocols, participated in livestock data collection efforts. Douglas G. Landblom: Weighed and ultra-sounded calves in the feedlot. Roger N. Gates: Coordinated efforts to establish Learning Communities as part of this project. Scott W. Fausti: Collaborated with Martin K Beutler on economic data collection. Martin K Beutler: Collaborated with Scott W. Fausti on economic data collection. George A. Perry: Worked with Kenneth C. Olson to manage breeding program for all cows in the project. Patricia S. Johnson: Provided GIS expertise for mapping research pastures and data collection points. Mindy Hubert: Managed and participated with crews to collect livestock data. Recorded and entered data on computers. Robin R. Salverson: Participated in livestock data collection and in conducting breeding protocols. H. Richter: MS graduate assistant trained on this project. Project 4. F. Larry Leistritz, Professor, PI Nancy M. Hodur, Assistant Research Professor, Co-Pi and Dean Bangsund, Research Scientist designed the survey instrument and developed research methodology. Hodur, Bangsund and Randy C. Coon, Research Scientist analyzed data. Coon detailed findings. TARGET AUDIENCES: The primary target audience is ranchers in general and ranchers in the Northern Great Plains in particular. Another target audience is the animal science community. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Project 1. A demonstration project that was planned at the Padlock Ranch in Wyoming was not completed. This had been intended to provide a large-scale (n=2000) extensive replacement heifer management project comparing performance of heifer calves from weaning to breeding between low-input (range) and high-input (hay feeding) treatments. Severe winter conditions and changes in heifer development policy at the ranch precluded use of the low-input treatment.

Impacts
Project 1 (Olson). Early weaning can contribute to improved cow performance and reduced cow costs, particularly when combined with low-input winter feeding. Early-weaned calves gained more efficiently and provided higher quality carcasses, improving their profit potential over normal-weaned calves. Early-weaned calves also utilized un-harvested corn more effectively than normal-weaned calves, further increasing the opportunity to add economic value on the ranch before export to the feedlot. Our team actively engaged in disseminating the results and applications from this project to stakeholders through educational activities including field days, short-courses, and workshops, as well as one-on-one consultations. Objective 2 (Cammack). We have confirmed physiological changes that occur in response to high dietary S. We have shown that Mo does not prevent the negative effects of high dietary S, and in fact may aggravate the problem because of interactions with Cu. The gene expression work showed that consumption of high-S water in feedlot steers alters hepatic gene expression, and that supplemental Mo did not effectively restore gene expression levels. Importantly, this research was the thesis project for one M.S. student. Objective 3 (Lardy). Changes in knowledge occurred through the education of sheep producers, extension agents, and livestock researchers: 1) Conventional lamb production enhances lamb feedlot performance, but may result in increased labor for treatments, when compared to "natural" lamb management. 2) Injection of L-Arginine on days 1 through 15 of pregnancy in ewes resulted in a 45% increase in live lambs born in fall lambing ewes, when the sheep industry requires more lambs meet the growing demand. 3) As an alternative to injectable L-Arginine, a rumen-protected feed grade L-Arginine product was evaluated. This alternative was not deemed acceptable. 4) Extension educators from the tri-state area participated in a two-day training session which increased their knowledge and ability to answer questions related to management of cattle in natural feeding programs. Objective 4 (Leistritz, et al.) By the time the study was initiated, the national recession, higher crop prices and enthusiasm for energy development had lessened what was perceived as a high demand for wildlife production and recreation. Absentee land ownership was more prevalent than previously thought and on the rise. A high percentage of absentee owned land has been rented locally. Renters have been able to develop good relationships with local producers and even though rental agreements are for short periods of time, they have been able to maintain leases over long periods. A majority of producers agree that is difficult to find land to rent to a make a viable farm enterprise, that the use of rented land is more prevalent than in the past and that it is too risky to base a farm or ranch operation on rented land with short-term leases. How increased use of rented land in farm and ranch operations and absentee landowners combined with energy development and continued strong commodity prices will affect production agriculture in the region in the future is unknown.

Publications

  • Kessler, K.L., K.C. Olson, C.L. Wright, K.J. Austin, P.S. Johnson, and K.M. Cammack. 2011. Effects of supplemental molybdenum on toxicity of high-sulfur water in forage-fed steers. J. Anim. Sci. In review.
  • Saevre, C.B., A.M. Meyer, M.L. VanEmon, D.A. Redmer, J.S. Caton, J.D. Kirsch, J.S. Luther, and C.S. Schauer. 2011. Impacts of arginine on ovarian function and reproductive performance at the time of maternal recognition of pregnancy in ewes. 2011 NDSU Sheep Research Report 52:13-16.
  • Hodur, Nancy M. Dean A. Bangsund, Randal C. Coon, and F. Larry Leistritz. 2012. Changing Land Ownership Pattern in the Northern Great Plains. Agribusiness and Applied Economics Staff Report No. 12001. Department of Agribusiness and Applied Economics, NDSU, Fargo.
  • Landblom, D. G., K. C. Olson, P. Johnson, R. Gates, M. K. Beutler, M. Hubert, G. A. Perry, S. W. Fausti, R. R. Salverson, S. Furman, and J. Vasconcelos. 2009. Beef system methods impact backgrounding and finishing net returns. Proc. West. Sec. Amer. Soc. Anim. Sci. 60:119-122.
  • Landblom, D.G., K.C. Olson, P. Johnson, R. Gates, M.K. Beutler, M. Hubert, G.A. Perry, S.W. Fausti, R.R. Salverson, S. Furman, and J. Vasconcelos. 2009. Beef system methods impact backgrounding and finishing net returns. J. Anim. Sci. Vol. 87(E-Suppl. 3):165.
  • Landblom, D.G., S.I. Paisley, K.C. Olson, P.S. Johnson, R.N. Gates, M.K. Beutler, S.W. Fausti, G.A. Perry, A. Smart, R.R. Salverson, and H.H. Patterson. 2008. Alternative Beef Systems Grazing Strategies. In: Dickinson Research Extension Center Annual Report: http://www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/dickinso/research/2007/tocweb.htm#g,
  • Landblom, D.G., S.I. Paisley, K.C. Olson, P.S. Johnson, R.N. Gates, M.K. Beutler, S.W. Fausti, G.A. Perry, A. Smart, R.R. Salverson, and H.H. Patterson. 2008. Beef Systems Research: Effect of Weaning Date, Weaning Method, and Cow Wintering Method on Beef Cow and Calf Performance. In: NDSU Dickinson Research Extension Center Annual Report: http://www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/dickinso/research/2007/tocweb.htm#g
  • Richter, H.A. 2009. Impacts of early-weaning and winter feeding strategies on cow-calf performance and forage utilization. MS thesis. South Dakota State University.


Progress 09/01/09 to 08/31/10

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Leistritz subproject: Personal and focus group interviews have been conducted with producers, county extension agents, and others with special knowledge of area agriculture. The questionnaire is focused on the factors producers believe are most important in developing a relationship with an absentee landlord. Luther & Lardy subproject: Two feedlot trials, one N balance trial, and three reproduction trials have been conducted. Results of the research have been disseminated to livestock producers through regional and statewide extension and outreach efforts, as well as at regional and national scientific meetings A two-day train-the-trainer session for extension professionals from North Dakota, South Dakota, and Montana was held in Rapid City. Training session topics included animal health, feeding, management, and economic considerations for managing natural cattle. A CD-ROM with the information presented at the meetings was also produced. Cammack subproject:yearling steers (n = 96) were randomly assigned for a 56-d trial: low-S water (LS; 375 mg SO4/L), high-S water (HS; 2,218 mg SO4/L), or high-S water plus Mo (HSMO; 2,218 mg SO4/L; 100 mg Mo/kg DM). All treatments received 10 mg supplemental Cu/kg DM. Daily DMI and ADG were affected by treatment and period. In both Periods 1 and 2, DMI was greater (P < 0.001) in both LS (Period 1 = 9.26 kg; Period 2 = 10.43 kg) and HS (Period 1 = 8.19 kg; Period 2 = 9.68 kg) steers than in HSMO (Period 1 = 5.91 kg; Period 2 = 7.82 kg) steers. Similar results were observed for ADG. Daily water intake was affected (P < 0.001) by period, with all three treatment groups having greater daily water intake in Period 2; however, no treatment differences were detected (P = 0.220). Hepatic concentrations of Cu, Fe, and Mo were all affected (P < 0.001) by a treatment and collection day interaction. Additionally, Cu, Fe, and Mo were affected (P < 0.001) by treatment, and Cu and Mo were affected (P < 0.001) by collection day. Ruminal H2S levels were affected by treatment (P < 0.021), with greater H2S concentrations in HSMO compared to LS and HS steers. These results indicate that a Mo supplement is not beneficial in counteracting the effects of high-S water consumption, and may aggravate the toxic effects associated with high-S intake. Liver samples from randomly selected LS and HS steers have been RNA sequenced. Initial analysis has determined ~20 genes with differential expression between LS and HS steers. PARTICIPANTS: G. Lemme, South Dakota State University F.L. Leistritz, North Dakota State University J. Luther and G. Lardy, North Dakota State Univesity K.M. Cammack, University of Wyoming K.C. Olson, South Dakota State University TARGET AUDIENCES: Ranchers of the Northern Great Plains and associated production specialists. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
Leistritz subproject: Impacts of the project will include increased understanding of the issues associated with changing patterns of land ownership and land tenure. Luther and Lardy subproject: These changes in knowledge are: "Conventional" lamb production (use of antibiotics, ionophores, and growth promoting implants) enhances lamb feedlot performance, but may result in increased labor for the treatment of health issues, when compared to "natural" lamb management; Injection of L-Arginine on days 1 through 15 of pregnancy in ewes resulted in a 45% increase in live lambs born. This effect was in fall lambing ewes; As an alternative to injectable L-Arginine, a rumen-protected feed grade L-Arginine product was evaluated. This alternative was not deemed acceptable; Extension educators from the tri-state area participated in a two-day training session which increased their knowledge and ability to answer questions related to management of cattle in natural feeding programs. Cammack subproject: We have confirmed physiological changes that occur in response to high dietary S. This research has shown that Mo does not prevent the negative effects of high dietary S, and in fact may aggravate the problem because of interactions with Cu.

Publications

  • Saevre, C.B., J.S. Caton, J.S. Luther, A.M. Meyer, J.D. Kirsch, M. Kapphahn, D.A. Redmer, and C.S. Schauer. 2010. Effects of rumen protected arginine supplementation on ewe serum amino acid concentration, circulating progesterone, and ovarian blood flow. J. Anim. Sci. Proc. 61:7-10.
  • Eckerman, S.R., G.P. Lardy, M.M. Thompson, B.W. Neville, M.L. Van Emon, P.T. Berg, and C.S. Schauer. 2010. Feedlot performance and carcass quality of conventionally raised lambs implanted with zeranol versus naturally raised lambs. J. Anim. Sci. Proc. 61:3-6.
  • Schauer, C.S. and J.S. Luther. 2009. Nutritional strategies for increasing the efficiency of sheep production. Proceedings of U.S. Sheep Research Program. p. 27-28.
  • Kessler, K.L., K.C. Olson, C.L. Wright, K.J. Austin, K.M. Cammack. 2010. Changes in hepatic gene expression in steers administered high-S water with or without supplemental Mo. J. Anim. Sci. 88 (Suppl. 2):31 (Abstr.)
  • Kessler, K.L., K.C. Olson, C.L. Wright, K.J. Austin, P.S. Johnson, and K.M. Cammack. 2009. Effects of molybdenum supplementation on performance of forage-fed steers receiving high-sulfur water. In: 2009 South Dakota State University Beef Report.
  • Kessler, K.L., K.C. Olson, C.L. Wright, K.J. Austin, P.S. Johnson, and K.M. Cammack. 2009. Copper supplementation of grazing yearling steers supplemented with molybdenum while consuming high-sulfur water. In: 2009 South Dakota State University Beef Report.
  • Eckerman, S.E., G.P. Lardy, M.M. Thompson, B. Neville, M. VanEmon, P.B. Berg, and C.S. Schauer. 2010. Growth performance and carcass characteristics of conventionally raised lambs implanted with zeranol versus naturally raised lambs. 2010 NDSU Sheep Research Report 51:3-7.
  • Eckerman, S.E., G.P. Lardy, M.M. Thompson, M.L. VanEmon, B.W. Neville, P.T. Berg, and C.S. Schauer. 2011. Effects of graded levels of zeranol implants on feedlot performance, carcass characteristics, and incidence of prolapse and mortality in lambs. 2011 NDSU Sheep Research Report 52:7-12.
  • Saevre, C.B., A.M. Meyer, M.L. VanEmon, D.A. Redmer, J.S. Caton, J.D. Kirsch, J.S. Luther, and C.S. Schauer. 2011. Impacts of arginine on ovarian function and reproductive performance at the time of maternal recognition of pregnancy in ewes. 2011 NDSU Sheep Research Report 52:13-16.
  • Saevre, C.B. 2010. The effects of Arginine on reproductive performance in ewes. M.S. Thesis, North Dakota State University.
  • Lardy, Greg and Vern Anderson. 2010. Harvesting, storing, and feeding high-moisture corn. AS-1484. NDSU Extension Service. http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/pubs/ansci/livestoc/as1484.pdf.
  • Lardy, Greg and Vern Anderson. 2010. Harvesting, storing, and feeding corn as earlage. AS-1490. NDSU Extension Service. http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/pubs/ansci/livestoc/as1490.pdf.
  • Luther, J.S., E.J. Windorski, C.S. Schauer, J.D. Kirsch, K.A. Vonnahme, L.P. Reynolds. J.S. Caton, and G. Wu. 2008. Impacts of L-Arginine on Ovarian Function and Reproductive Performance in Ewes 86(E Suppl. 2):#LB5. Kessler, K.L., K.C. Olson, C.L. Wright, K.J. Austin, P.S. Johnson, and K.M. Cammack. 2011. Effects of supplemental molybdenum on toxicity of high-sulfur water in forage-fed steers. J. Anim. Sci. In review.
  • Kessler, K.L. Effect of supplemental molybdenum on performance of feedlot steers consuming high-sulfur water. Poster. Colorado Nutrition Roundtable. September 2010. Kessler, K.L. Changes in performance and liver function in feedlot steers consuming high sulfur water. Poster. Colorado Nutrition Roundtable. September 2009.


Progress 09/01/08 to 08/31/09

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Four States Ruminant Nutrition Consortium The Integrated research/extension projects within the Four States Ruminant Nutrition Consortium focus on enhancing economic development by capturing greater value from the ruminant livestock industry that dominates the economy of the region. Scientists from North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, and Wyoming are collaborating on interrelated projects. Yellow-flowered alfalfa populations interseeded into existing stands of tame grass and native range were evaluated in South Dakota, North Dakota, and Wyoming to determine their persistence under grazing pressure. Seed is being collected from the most promising populations for inclusion in public alfalfa breeding programs. Protein supplementation of cows and calves represents the largest capital outlay for external inputs in the cow-calf industry. Varied amounts for protein supplement during the winter months are being compared to determine the nutritional impact on the gestating cow and her developing calf. Alfalfa weevil represents a major insect pest in alfalfa production in the Northern Great Plains. A sheep-stocking model is being developed and tested in the region to optimize sheep grazing of alfalfa pastures using growing degree day data and weevil larvae levels. Model validation is planed in the four-state region during the upcoming growing season. PARTICIPANTS: South Dakota State University North Dakota State University Montana State University University of Wyoming TARGET AUDIENCES: Agricultural producers in the semi-arid Northern Great Plains PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
projects are still active and final products that will impact economic development in the Northern Great Plains are pending. Yellow-flowered alafla population yield trials have been shared with producers and seed companies and seeds have been collected for inclusion in public alfalfa breeding programs. This information will all a yellow-flowered alfalfa seed industry to develop and for ranchers to interseed persistent populations in to their pastures. The sheep grazing model to minimize the impact of alfalfa weevil is being validated in 2010 on producer operations.

Publications

  • Misar, C., Lan Xu, R. Gates, A. Boe and P. Johnson. 2008. Survival of 11 populations of alfalfa in northwestern South Dakota. Forage Focus Forage Council of the Heartland. Dec. 2008. P. 19.
  • Misar, C.G., Lan Xu, R. N. Gates, A. Boe and P. Johnson. 2009. Survival of eleven alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) populations in semiarid rangeland. Proceedings of the Fourth National Conference on Grazinglands. Dec. 13-16, 2009. Sparks, NV.
  • Misar, C.G., Lan Xu, R.N. Gates, A. Boe, and P.S. Johnson. 2009. Survival of eleven alfalfa populations in semiarid rangeland. Proc. 62nd Annual Meeting. Society for Range Management (February 8-12, 2009).
  • Narem, D., Lan Xu, R.N. Gates, A Boe, P.S. Johnson. 2009. Effect of Stratification, warm treatment, scarification on the emergence of yellow-flowered alfalfa (Medicago sativa subsp. Falcate) seeds. Undergraduate paper. Proc. 62nd Annual Meeting. Society for Range Management (February 8-12, 2009).
  • Misar, C.G., Lan Xu, R. Gates, A. Boe and P. Johnson. 2010. Establishment of Yellow-flowered Alfalfa (Medicago sativa subsp. Falcate) Interseeded into Crested Wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum) stands. Proc. 63rd Annual Meeting. Society for Range Management (February 7-11, 2010).