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Feeding Stations of Sheep as an Indicator of Diminished Forage Supply¹

Utah State University, Logan 84322

Abstract

Grazing trials were conducted on high elevation summer range where sheep were stocked alone and in common with cattle in .4-ha paddocks to explore the use of grazing behavior as an indicator of forage availability. Sheep behavior was monitored by recording the length of time that individual ewes spent at a feeding station, defined here as feeding station interval. As grazing progressed, sheep increased the number of feeding station intervals that were less than 10 s long. That trend, decreased grazing time at each station, was consistent regardless of whether sheep grazed alone or with cattle. When sheep grazed with cattle, however, time spent at each feeding station was longer, further into the grazing trials. At high stocking densities, livestock feeding behavior seemed to change rapidly in response to declines in forage availability. Sensitive indicators of these changes are apparent in animal behavior with close scrutiny of animal movements. Monitoring animal behavior during feeding periods might allow the manager to recognize nutritional limitations in the available forage and perhaps adjust management strategies accordingly.

¹ Approved as Utah Agr. Exp. Sta. Journal Paper No. 2916.

² Authors are Research Assistant and Professor and Head, Range Sci. Dept. The first author is now Range Management Specialist and Assistant Professor, School of Renewable Natural Resources, Univ. of Arizona, Tucson 85721.

³ We wish to acknowledge the support and assistance of Darrell H. Mathews, Associate Professor of Anim. Sci., Utah State Univ., in accomplishing the objectives of this research.

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