Supplements of molasses, molasses + 3% urea, and molasses + 6% urea at a level of approximately 1 kg/head/day on pangolagrass pasture during the winter and spring months resulted in significantly increased weight for 3/4 Zebu x 1/4 Criollo bulls. Urea was more effective during the winter months when forage availability was at its lowest, than during the spring months. It is suggested that the use of pangolagrass pasture with molasses and urea supplementation when appropriate could significantly increase production from rangeland.

A field study in eastern Montana related water storage capacity of contour furrows constructed by Model B furrowing machines to furrow age. New contour furrows have a water storage capacity of nearly 1 inch, but this decreases with time owing to natural weathering, intrafurrow dam failure, and furrow breaching. Contour furrows have an average effective life of 25 years, but this ranges from less than 20 years to more than 35 years, depending on initial construction. A new furrowing machine design is suggested that would leave intrafurrow dams of undisturbed soil material, resulting in furrows with either the same storage capacity but at a greatly reduced cost per acre, or over twice the storage capacity at about the same cost per acre as furrows built by a Model B machine.

Estimates of yearlong carrying capacity obtained by three different techniques are compared in terms of accuracy as measured by actual carrying capacity of a northern Utah cattle ranch. A new "algebraic" approach appears superior to two established techniques currently in use.

Forty-five horizontal wells were constructed on the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation during 1967-69. This paper describes site selection, drilling equipment, and the construction process and lists the advantages of the horizontal well system over more conventional systems.

Low-cost methods are required for converting wooded areas of Canada's Peace River region to productive pasture. Methods of circumventing the costly procedures of breaking the soil and removing roots preparatory to seeding were investigated. Various tillage implements (mouldboard plow, Rome disc-at 3 depths, rotovator, one-way disc, and tandem disc) were compared as to effectiveness for seed-bed preparation. In addition, seed was both drilled and broadcast. Forage yields varied greatly, from an average of 1,184 lb/acre on the plowed plots to 103 lb on the check area. It was concluded that all methods tried tend to enhance tree establishment. Because of this, none of the methods tested would bring about an economically viable pasture.

The influence of 2,4-D [(2,4-dichlorophenoxy) acetic acid] and 2,4,5-T [(2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy) acetic acid] on in vitro digestion of dried ground corn silage (Zea mays L.) and bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L.) foliage was determined using a modification of the Tilley and Terry method for determining in vitro dry matter digestibility of forage plants. Neither herbicide influenced the digestion of plant samples when treated with a herbicide concentration range of 10-8 to 10-4 M. Solutions containing 10-4 M of either herbicide did not influence the growth of microbial populations in incubated rumen liquor. The influence of rumen microorganisms on degradation of 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T was also investigated. Samples containing sucrose or plant material, buffered rumen liquor, and 10-4 M concentrations of either herbicide were incubated for 10 day periods. Data from periodic quantification of herbicide remaining in the samples indicated that neither herbicide used in these experiments was degraded by the rumen microorganisms. Results indicate that: (1) 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T do not alter the rumen microbial functions or development and (2) these herbicides are not readily degraded in the rumen by the rumen microorganisms.

Planting season and cultural treatment effects on emergence and survival of three range species were determined for two cold, dry pinyon-juniper sites in north central Arizona. Plowing was the most effective seedbed preparation for controlling plant competition. Furrow drilling also eliminated a large amount of competition. Emergence and survival (E & S) of Luna pubescent and Nordan crested wheatgrass averaged highest with fall planting, but summer planting was best for E & S of fourwing saltbush. E & S averaged highest on plowed seedbeds and decreased progressively on undercut, undercut-strip, presprayed, sprayed, and control seedbeds. Surface drilling on tilled seedbeds increased E & S over furrow drilling for fourwing saltbush and usually for Nordan crested wheatgrass. Drilling in wide, shallow furrows increased Luna pubescent wheatgrass E & S. Furrow drilling increased E & S for all species on nontilled seedbeds. There were some significant interactions among treatment combinations. Practical application of results is discussed.

Chemical curing of N-fertilized crested wheatgrass was examined in 3 years. Both N and paraquat, singly and in combination, significantly influenced various stand components. The combined treatments increased fall herbage yield 40%, crude protein concentration 68%, and crude protein yield 148% above that of the control.

No abortive tendencies were noted with Angus X Hereford crossbred heifers when fed a corn-roughage ration containing 25% sawdust during the last one-third of the pregnancy period. Inclusion of sawdust in the ration did not affect the calving difficulty score or birth weights.

Studies have been conducted with 2,589 Awasi sheep belonging to nine family groups having an average of 11 members each to investigate the husbandry practices and production of livestock by roving Bedouins in Lebanon. The natural pasture plants grazed by the sheep were identified and analyzed for chemical composition. The growth rate of lambs and the yield and composition of ewe's milk were also determined in a selected sheep population. The study shows that natural pastoral resources contribute significantly to sheep production by the Bedouins. The traditional methods used under the circumstances do not seem to impede the yield of animal product.