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Effects Of Various Grazing Systems On Grazing And Subsequent Finishing Performance, L. W. Lomas, J. L. Moyer

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A total of 400 mixed black yearling steers were used to compare grazing and subsequent finishing performance from pastures with ‘MaxQ’ tall fescue, a wheat-bermudagrass double-crop system, or a wheat-crabgrass double-crop system in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019. Daily gains of steers that grazed MaxQ fescue, wheat-bermudagrass, or wheat-crabgrass were similar (P>0.05) in 2010, 2016, 2017, and 2018. Daily gains of steers that grazed wheat-bermudagrass or wheat-crabgrass were greater (P>0.05) than those that grazed MaxQ fescue in 2011, 2012, and 2019. Daily gains of steers that grazed wheat-crabgrass were greater …

Sale Price Of Holstein Feeder Steer Lots Relative To Other Breed Descriptions Sold Through Superior Livestock Video Sales From 2010 Through 2018, E. D. Mccabe, M. J. Smith, M. E. King, K. E. Fike, G. M. Rogers, K. G. Odde

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Objective:The objective of this study was to determine the relative value of Holstein feeder steer lots compared to steer lots of other breed descriptions sold through video auctions while adjusting for all other factors that significantly influenced sale price.

Study Description:Data were analyzed from 14,075 lots of feeder steers sold via 211 livestock video auctions from 2010 through 2018. All lot characteristics that could be accurately quantified or categorized were used to develop a multiple regression model with backwards selection. A lot was categorized into one of four breed descriptions: 1) English, English crossed; 2) English-Continental …

Effects Of Guanidinoacetic Acid On Lean Growth And Methionine Flux In Cattle, M. Ardalan, M. D. Miesner, C. D. Reinhardt, D. U. Thomson, C. K. Armendariz, E. C. Titgemeyer

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Objective:To evaluate the effect of supplementing guanidinoacetic acid in the presence or absence of L-methionine on nitrogen retention (lean tissue growth) when cattle were purposefully maintained under conditions of a methionine deficiency.

Study Description:Seven ruminally-cannulated Holstein steers (355 lb) were used in an experiment where each steer received each of six treatments. Treatments were abomasal infusion of 0 or 6 g/day methionine, and 0, 7.5, or 15 g/day guanidinoacetic acid, with all combinations represented. Energy was supplied by ruminal infusion of volatile fatty acids and abomasal infusion of glucose. All essential amino acids except methionine were …

An Efficient Stocking Strategy For Grazing Replacement Heifers, Keith R. Harmoney, John R. Jaeger

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Even though Kansas native rangelands often have steep slopes or shallow soils not con­ducive to many other uses other than livestock grazing, native rangeland and perennial grassland acres in Kansas have been declining. Cropland acreage over this same time frame has increased, and rangelands have also become more fragmented by small ranch­ettes and urbanization. Producers may be looking to increase production efficiency on a shrinking forage land base. The use of intensive early stocking (IES) is one of the most efficient stocking strategies to produce beef on rangeland acres. The IES strategy has been widely used in eastern Kansas and …

Effects Of Interseeding Ladino Clover Into Tall Fescue Pastures Of Varying Endophyte Status On Grazing And Subsequent Finishing Performance Of Stocker Steers, L. W. Lomas, J. L. Moyer

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Two hundred fifty-six yearling steers grazing tall fescue pastures were used to evaluate the effects of fescue cultivar and interseeding ladino clover on available forage, grazing gains and subsequent finishing performance in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019. Fescue cultivars evaluated were high-endophyte ‘Kentucky 31,’ low-endophyte Kentucky 31 ‘HM4,’ and ‘MaxQ.’ In 2016, 2018, and 2019, steers that grazed pastures of low-endophyte Kentucky 31, HM4, or MaxQ gained significantly more (P<0.05) and produced more (P<0.05) gain/a than those that grazed high-endophyte Kentucky 31 pastures. Gains of cattle that grazed low-endophyte Kentucky 31, HM4, or MaxQ were similar (P>0.05). In 2017, steer gains were similar (P>0.05) among all cultivars. High-endophyte Kentucky 31 pastures had more (P<0.05) available forage than low-endophyte Kentucky 31, HM4, or MaxQ pastures during both 2016 and 2017. Steer gains and gain/a were similar (P>0.05) between pastures fertilized with …

The Cost Of Tillage, G. F. Sassenrath

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Tillage has been a common event in farming for centuries. New information and management practices are demonstrating better ways of managing the soil to reduce erosion and improve productivity and profitability. Tillage destroys the soil structure, actually increasing the weeds and reducing the water holding capacity of the soil. Highly erodible areas of a field can lose more than 5 tons of soil per year with conventional tillage. Converting to no-till management can reduce production costs more than $30 per acre per year, saving topsoil and reducing management time in the field.

Tiller Contributions To Low-Density Corn Biomass And Yield, R. Veenstra, C. Messina, L. Haag, P. V. Vara Prasad, I. A. Ciampitti

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Tillers (commonly termed “suckers”) have lower overall yield contributions in corn (Zea maysL.) than in other Poaceae species. Current research evaluating the value of tillers in corn is scarce, particularly under water-limited conditions. This study aims to quantify relationships between tiller, main plant, and full (considering both tiller and main plant fractions) plant aboveground biomass and yields of corn under low plant density scenarios. Experiments were conducted in the 2019 growing season at three sites across Kansas (Garden City, Goodland, and Manhattan) evaluating two tiller-prone corn hybrids common in this region (P0805AM and P0657AM) at two plant densities …

Long-Term Cover Crop Management Effects On Soil Health In Semiarid Dryland Cropping Systems, L. M. Simon, A. K. Obour, J. D. Holman, K. L. Roozeboom

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Growing cover crops (CC) in semiarid drylands may provide benefits to soil health. This study examined long-term CC management effects in a no-till winter wheat-grain sorghum-fallow cropping system in southwest Kansas. Objectives were to assess the impacts of CCs on 1) soil organic carbon (SOC) and nitrogen (N) stocks, 2) soil susceptibility to erosion, as well as to 3) quantify the effects of haying cover crops as annual forages. Treatments were spring-planted and included peas for grain as well as one-, three-, and six-species CC mixtures of oats, triticale, peas, buckwheat, turnips, and radishes compared with conventional chemical-fallow. Half of …

Water Use And Productivity Of Corn And Grain Sorghum In Long-Term Crop Sequences, R. M. Aiken

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Dryland corn and grain sorghum showed similar water productivity of grain and above-ground biomass, relative to respective growing periods, at the apparent yield frontier. The yield frontier indicates the maximum productivity for a given amount of water use. This similarity in productive response to water supply provides a foundation for improved precipitation use. Yield gaps relative to the yield frontier appear substan­tial. Water supply during the grain filling period was the primary driver of feed grain crop productivity, and was affected more by available soil water at pollen shed than by precipitation during grain-fill or available water at maturity. Grain …

Dual Use Of Cover Crops For Forage Production And Soil Health In Dryland Crop Production, A. K. Obour, J. D. Holman, L. M. Simon, S. K. Johnson

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Integrating a cover crop (CC) into dryland crop production in the semiarid central Great Plains (CGP) can provide several ecosystem benefits. However, CC adoption is slow and not widely popular in the CGP because CCs utilize water that other­wise would be available for the subsequent cash crop. Grazing or haying CCs can provide economic benefits to offset revenue loss associated with decreased crop yields when CCs are grown ahead of a cash crop. Objectives of the current research were to 1) determine forage production of CC mixtures, and 2) evaluate the impacts of removing CCs for forage on subsequent crop …

Control Of Multiple Herbicide-Resistant Palmer Amaranth In Enlist Corn, R. Liu, V. Kumar, T. Lambert

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Recent evolution of multiple herbicide resistant (MHR) Palmer amaranth [resistant to 2,4-D, glyphosate (Roundup), chlorsulfuron (Glean), atrazine (Aatrex), and mesotrione (Callisto)] is a serious threat to newly developed stacked trait technologies, including Enlist crops (tolerant to 2,4-D, glyphosate, and glufosinate). Field experiments were conducted in 2019 at the Kansas State University Agricultural Research Center near Hays, KS, to determine the effectiveness of various preemergence (PRE) followed by (fb) postemergence (POST) herbicides (multiple modes of action) for controlling this MHR Palmer amaranth in Enlist corn. The study was established in no-till dryland wheat stubble where MHR Palmer amaranth seeds …

Wheat Variety-Specific Grain Yield Response To Plant Density Under Intensive Management Conditions In Western Kansas, R. P. Lollato, K. Mark, B. R. Jaenisch

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Seeding rate determines the first yield component of field crops, which is the plant population. However, wheat is less responsive to plant populations than other crops due to the high plasticity in tillering potential, and this responsiveness depends on resource availability. The objective of this project was to evaluate winter wheat popu­lation, grain yield, and grain test weight responses to seeding rate and its interaction with variety in a highly managed production system where manageable stresses were limited. Experiments evaluating the response of the wheat varieties ‘Joe,’ ‘WB-Grain­field,’ ‘Langin,’ and ‘LCS Revere’ to seeding rates ranging from 200,000–1,000,000 seeds per …

Effects Of Iron Injection Timing On Suckling And Subsequent Nursery And Growing-Finishing Performance And Hematological Criteria Under Commercial Conditions, H. E. Williams, B. Carrender, R. Maurer, J. M. Derouchey, J. C. Woodworth, S. S. Dritz, M. D. Tokach, R. D. Goodband, A. J. Holtcamp, K. F. Coble

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A total of 1,892 newborn pigs (PIC 359 × C40; initially 3.3 lb body weight [BW]) within 172 litters were used in a 168-d study to evaluate the effects of Fe injection timing after birth on suckling and subsequent nursery and growing-finishing growth performance and hematological criteria. One day after birth, piglets were weighed, and 11 pigs within each litter were allotted to 1 of 6 treatments consisting of no Fe injection or 200 mg of injectable Fe provided on d 1, 3, 5, or 7 of age, or 200-mg on d 1 plus 200-mg on d 12 of age. …

Evaluation Of Cellulose In Diets With And Without Added Zno On Nursery Pig Performance, J. A. Chance, M. D. Tokach, H. I. Calderón, J. C. Woodworth, J. M. Derouchey, R. D. Goodband

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A total of 1,296 pigs (L337 × 1050; PIC, Hendersonville, TN; initially 10.6 lb) were used in a 42-d study to evaluate the addition of cellulose in diets with and without the inclusion of pharmacological levels of Zn on nursery pig growth performance. Pigs were weaned at approximately 20 d of age and randomly allotted to pens in a randomized complete block design by body weight (BW). Pens of pigs were allotted to 1 of 4 dietary treatments with 27 pigs per pen and 12 replications per treatment. Dietary treatments were arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial with main …

Evaluation Of Dietary Inclusion Of Specialty Protein Ingredients On Nursery Pig Performance, H. R. Williams, J. M. Derouchey, M. D. Tokach, J. C. Woodworth, R. D. Goodband, S. S. Dritz, J. W. Frank, T. Wang

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A total of 1,215 pigs (PIC 337 × 1050; initially 11.0 lb body weight) were used in a 42-d growth trial to evaluate a new specialty protein blend prototype (Protein Blend, International Ingredient Corp., St. Louis, MO) on nursery growth performance. Pigs were randomly assigned to pens (27 pigs per pen) and pens were allotted by weight to 1 of 5 dietary treatments in a randomized complete block design with 9 pens per treatment. Treatments were arranged in a 2 × 2 + 1 negative control factorial arrange­ment with main effects of protein source (HP300, Hamlet Protein, Findlay, OH; and …

Evaluation Of High-Protein Distillers Dried Grains On Growth Performance And Carcass Characteristics Of Growing-Finishing Pigs, Z. X. Rao, R. D. Goodband, M. D. Tokach, S. S. Dritz, J. C. Woodworth, J. M. Derouchey, H. I. Calderón, M. F. Wilken

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A total of 1,890 growing-finishing pigs (PIC; 359 × 1050; initially 59.8 ± 1.3 lb) were used in a 124-d growth trial to compare the effects of high-protein distillers dried grains (HPDDG) or conventional distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) on growth performance and carcass characteristics. Conventional DDGS contained 29.0% CP, 0.48% standardized ileal digestible (SID) Lys, and 9.2% oil, whereas HPDDG contained 39.3% CP, 0.68% SID Lys, and 11.1% oil. All diets were formulated on an equal SID Lys-basis with diets containing HPDDG having less soybean meal than diets with conventional DDGS. There were 27 pigs per pen and …

Improving Performance Of Finishing Pigs With Added Valine, Isoleucine, And Tryptophan: Validating A Meta-Analysis Model, H. R. Kerkaert, H. S. Cemin, J. C. Woodworth, J. M. Derouchey, S. S. Dritz, M. D. Tokach, R. D. Goodband, K. D. Haydon, C. Hastad, Z. Post

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Based on a recent meta-analysis, we hypothesized that increased dietary Val, Ile, or Trp could correct possible amino acid interactions caused by high dietary Leu in diets containing high levels of corn protein, namely dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS). A total of 1,200 pigs (PIC TR4 × (Fast LW × PIC L02); initially 74.0 ± 1.38 lb) were used in a 103-d study. The 6 dietary treatments were corn-soybean meal- DDGS-based diets as follows: 1) low level of Lys-HCl (HSBM), 2) high Lys-HCl and moderate Ile, Val, Trp (NC; AA above NRC4 estimates), 3) moderate Lys-HCl and high Ile, …

Effect Of The Pelleting Process On Diet Formulations With Varying Levels Of Crystalline Amino Acids And Reducing Sugars On Digestibility In Growing Pigs, K. M. Dunmire, D. A. Lopez, C. J. Fiehler, C. K. Jones, Y. Li, J. C. Woodworth, R. D. Goodband, M. D. Tokach, C. R. Stark, H. H. Stein, C. B. Paulk

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of thermal processing on the digestibility of amino acids (AA) in diets with or without increased concentrations of free amino acids and reducing sugars (RS). To measure AA digestibility, a total of eight individually housed barrows (initially 69.2 ± 6.8 lb) that had a T-cannula installed in the distal ileum were allotted to a replicated 8 × 8 Latin square design with 8 diets and eight 7-d periods. Thus, each pig was fed each diet in one period and no pig received the same diet more than once. Each period …

Impact Of Storage Conditions And Premix Type On Fat-Soluble Vitamin Stability, M. Saensukjaroenphon, C. E. Evans, C. K. Jones, J. T. Gebhardt, J. C. Woodworth, C. R. Stark, J. R. Bergstrom, C. B. Paulk

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The objective of Exp. 1 was to determine the impact of 0, 30, 60, or 90 d storage time on fat-soluble vitamin stability when vitamin premix (VP) and vitamin trace mineral premix (VTM) are blended with 1% inclusion of medium chain fatty acids (MCFA; 1:1:1 blend of C6:C8:C10) or mineral oil (MO) with different environmental condi­tions. Treatments were arranged as a 2 × 2 × 2 × 4 factorial, with 2 premix type (VP or VTM), 2 oil type (MO or MCFA), 2 storage conditions [room temperature (RT) or high-heat, high-humidity (HTHH)] and 3 storage times (30, 60, or 90 …

Effects Of Prescribed Fire Timing On Stocker Cattle Performance, Native Plant Composition, Forage Biomass, And Root Carbohydrate Reserves In The Kansas Flint Hills: Year One Of Six, Z. M. Duncan, A. J. Tajchman, M. P. Ramirez, J. Lemmon, W. R. Hollenbeck, D. A. Blasi, K. C. Olson

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Objective:Our objective was to document the effects of prescribed fire timing on yearling beef cattle performance, native plant composition, and forage biomass ac­cumulation in the Kansas Flint Hills.

Study Description:Our study took place at the Kansas State Beef Stocker Unit located northwest of Manhattan, KS. Pastures were assigned to one of three prescribed burn treatments: early spring (April), mid-summer (August), or early fall (October). Treatments were applied and yearling heifers (n = 360) were subsequently grazed from May to August. Native plant composition and forage biomass were evaluated annually in late June and early July.

The …

Physiological Changes Across Historical Sorghum Hybrids Released During The Last Six Decades, P. A. Demarco, L. Mayor, S. Tamagno, J. A. Fernandez, P. V. Vara Prasad, J. L. Rotundo, C. D. Messina, I. A. Ciampitti

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

For the last decades, sorghum (Sorghum bicolorL. Moench) improvement in the United States (US) has been related to targeted modifications in genotype, environ­ment, and management (G × E × M) combinations. Retrospective studies are relevant to document changes in the phenotype associated to breeding process and to explore alternatives to improve yield and its physiological associated traits. This study aims to characterize yield changes over time for hybrids with different year of release. Field trials were conducted during 2018 and 2019 growing seasons in eight environments/site-years across the states of Kansas and Texas including 20 grain sorghum hybrids …

Relationships Between The Haney H3a And Conventional Soil Tests For Phosphorus And Potassium In Kansas Soils, E. B. Rutter, D. A. Ruiz Diaz

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The Haney H3A soil test procedure has gained popularity in recent years for soil health evaluation and has been used in some circles to adjust fertilizer management practices. However, data relating this test to current soil tests, relative crop yield, or total nutrient uptake are nonexistent in Kansas soils. The objective of this study is to evaluate the correlation between H3A soil test phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) with soil tests currently used in Kansas (e.g. Mehlich-3). Soils from a nitrogen response study were extracted using both Mehlich-3 and H3A (version 4) soil test procedures. Mehlich-3 and Haney extractable P …

Cation Exchange Resins As Indicator Of In-Season Potassium Supply For Soybean In Kansas, D. A. Charbonnier, M. J. Coelho, D. A. Ruiz Diaz

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

The use of ion-exchange resins to measure soil nutrient availability has potential applications for fertilizer recommendations. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between potassium (K) adsorption by cation exchange resins (CER) and K uptake by soybean in field conditions. The study was conducted at two locations in Kansas during 2019. Two treatments were selected to evaluate the CER. Treatments included a check (0 lb K₂O/a) and a high K rate with 150 lb K₂O/a applied pre-plant and incorporated. The Plant Root Simulator (PRS, Western Ag Innovations, Saskatchewan, Canada) was used as an …

Effect Of Fiber Source And Crude Protein Level On Nursery Pig Performance, K. L. Batson, H. I. Calderón, M. D. Tokach, J. C. Woodworth, R. D. Goodband, J. M. Derouchey

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A total of 360 pigs (200 × 400; DNA, Columbus, NE; initially = 11.0 lb) were used in a 45-d growth trial to evaluate the effects of fiber source and crude protein level on growth performance and fecal dry matter of nursery pigs. Upon arrival to the nursery research facility, pigs were randomly assigned to pens with 5 pigs per pen and 9 replicate pens per treatment. Dietary treatments were arranged in a 2 × 4 completely random­ized factorial with main effects of crude protein (21 or 18% CP) and fiber source (none, coarse wheat bran, oat hulls, or cellulose; …

Evaluation Of Nutritional Strategies To Reduce Growth Rate Of Pigs Beyond 200 Lb Body Weight, Z. X. Rao, J. T. Gebhardt, M. D. Tokach, J. C. Woodworth, J. M. Derouchey, R. D. Goodband

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

A total of 356 finishing pigs (DNA; 241 × 600; initially 196.3 ± 2.43 lb) were used in a44-d growth trial to evaluate nutritional strategies to reduce growth rate of pigs beyond200 lb body weight. A total of 3 diets were manufactured (control, Lys-deficient, andcorn) and arranged into 4 nutritional strategies. In stage 1 (d 0 to 28), pens received oneof two dietary treatments (control or Lys-deficient). Then on d 28, pens of pigs previouslyfed the control diet were separated into 2 groups, one fed the control diet and theother the corn diet. Pens …

Effects Of Standardized Ileal Digestible Tryptophan:Lysine Ratio On Growth And Carcass Performance Of Finishing Pigs Fed Ractopamine Hcl, H. E. Williams, M. D. Tokach, S. S. Dritz, J. M. Derouchey, J. C. Woodworth, R. D. Goodband, J. A. Soto

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Recent research has reported that increasing standardized ileal digestible (SID) Trp:Lys ratio above 20% in finishing pigs fed ractopamine HCl (RAC) resulted in improved growth and carcass performance, however, this response has been inconsistent. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of feeding high SID Trp:Lys ratios with RAC on growth and carcass performance. A total of 1,791 finishing pigs (PIC 1050 × 337, initially 245.1 lb BW) were used in a 27-d study to evaluate the effects of feeding high SID Trp:Lys ratios on growth and carcass performance of pigs fed ractopamine HCl (RAC, Paylean, …

Response Of Kansas Feral Rye Populations To Aggressor Herbicide And Management In Coaxium Wheat Production System, V. Kumar, R. Liu, T. Lambert

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Feral rye (Secale cerealeL.), also commonly known as cereal or volunteer rye, is a trou­blesome winter annual grass weed species in wheat producing regions of the United States, including Kansas. Lack of effective herbicide options complicates the selective control of feral rye in winter wheat. The main objectives of this research were (1) to determine the response of 10 feral rye populations collected from central Kansas wheat fields to Aggressor herbicide in dose-response assays, and (2) to evaluate the effective­ness of Aggressor herbicide for feral rye control in CoAXium winter wheat in Kansas. Dose-response assays indicated that all …

Long-Term Nitrogen And Phosphorus Fertilization Of Irrigated Corn, Alan J. Schlegel, H. Dewayne Bond

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Long-term research shows that phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) fertilizer must be applied to optimize production of irrigated corn in western Kansas. In 2019, N applied alone increased yields by 71 bu/a, whereas P applied alone increased yields by 10 bu/a. Nitrogen and P applied together increased yields up to 131 bu/a, which is 10 bu/a less than the 10-year average of 141 bu/a. Application of 120 lb/a N (with highest P rate) produced 97% of maximum yield in 2019, which is slightly greater than the 10-year average. Application of 80 instead of 40 lb P₂O₅/a …

Fertilizer Source And Rate Affect Sulfur Uptake And Yield Response In Corn, T. E. Husa, D. A. Ruiz Diaz

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

With sulfur deficiencies being found throughout Kansas, the evaluation of sulfur fertilization and plant uptake are vital to optimize corn production. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of application rates of sulfur on yield and uptake in corn. Nutrient concentrations in corn biomass and grain were evaluated at the Kansas River Valley Experiment Field at Rossville, KS, in 2019. Five treatments were evalu­ated, including a control with no sulfur and no nitrogen (N), and four fertilizer treat­ments with 180 lb of nitrogen and four rates of sulfur fertilizer (0, 30, 50, and 200 lb S/a). The …

Using Modified Intensive Early Stocking For Cow/Calf Production, Keith R. Harmoney, John R. Jaeger

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Intensive early stocking (IES) was introduced nearly a half century ago in eastern Kan­sas and has since been adopted as a major management tool to increase animal produc­tion, efficiency of production, and economic return on tallgrass rangelands. These in­creases have come almost exclusively by using IES with young stocker animals. Intensive early stocking and its gains have been proven effective repeatedly in published research. A similar modified IES (MIES) system has increased production efficiency of stocker animals on western Kansas rangelands. Perennial grassland acres for cattle produc­tion, as well as cattle numbers, are declining. Using management practices that mimic the …