Influence of spring burning on cattle diets and performance on the Edwards Plateau Rangeland

Abstract

Immediately following spring burning of Edwards Plateau rangeland, steer diets had a higher percentage of grass and lower percentage of forbs than diets from unburned range. Intake of pricklypear cactus was greater on burned range than on unburned during the first summer and fall following the fire. Ash content of steer diets in the burn was generally higher, due primarily to increased use of pricklypear cactus on burned sites. Steer diets from burned range contained significantly higher in vitro digestible organic matter (IVDOM) during June. Increased use of pricklypear cactus contributed to a significantly higher IVDOM during September and October and lower percent crude protein from September to November in the burn. Heifers gained significantly more on burned range during June and August and also when averaged across the entire 5-month grazing period. Burning has potential as a useful tool to increase cattle production from Edwards Plateau rangeland.