Life Sciences Commons^™

Understanding Free-Roaming Horse Conflicts With Wildlife In The Great Basin, S. Nicole Frey, Eric Thacker, Katlyn Uhart

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Horses and burros were introduced to North America in the 1600s with European missionaries and explorers. Over time, abandoned and released horses and burros formed herds and by the time European-American settlers began to explore North America in the 1700s, these free-roaming horses and burros had adapted to their habitat and been incorporated into Native American culture. By the mid-1900s, most Americans considered these horses as wild and symbols of freedom and beauty.

In 1971, Congress passed the Wild and Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act (Public Law 73-482) to provide federal protection for free-roaming horses and burros (also known as …

Identifying Fox Squirrels And Their Damage In Your Yard, S. Nicole Frey, Jessica Tegt

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Native to the eastern United States, fox squirrels (Sciurus niger) were first documented in Utah in 2011. It is unknown how fox squirrels made their way into Utah; however, it is possible they followed riparian corridors (areas along rivers, where trees often grow) through Colorado into Utah and were only detected once their populations grew in number. Since the Utah Natural Heritage Program began tracking them, there have been over 500 observations of this species, predominantly around Salt Lake City and the Wasatch Front. Fox squirrels are the largest tree squirrel in the U.S. (17–28 inches, and 17.5–37.5 ounces). This …

Mammals Of Cedar Breaks National Monument, S. Nicole Frey, Natalie D'Souza, Ethan Hammer, Bryan Larsen, Jake Nielson

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This document is the result of a study of the terrestrial mammals found at Cedar Breaks National Monument from 2017-2019. During this time, we conducted a survey of mammals using a series of trail cameras. We used survey results to provide an index of terrestrial mammals (excluding bats) within the park. Our goal is to provide a beginner’s guide to the mammals at Cedar Breaks National Monument. We include information regarding appearance, diet, habitat, and population status according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The guide represents the species a visitor to Cedar Breaks National Monument …

What Drives Bull Prices, And How Much Can I Spend On A Bull?, Matthew D. Garcia, Ryan Larsen, C. K. Chapman

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Several factors determine the age-old question of how much to pay for a bull. These factors are highly variable and can fluctuate from year to year. The five main factors influencing bull prices are explored in this fact sheet, including breed, availability, auction activity, breeder reputation, and genetic potential.

Equine Nutrition: Concentrates, Karl Hoopes, Patricia Evans, Scott Mckendrick

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Concentrate (grain) should be considered only as supplements to good quality hay. In general, a mature horse does not require the energy provided by concentrate-type feeds (grains/sweet feeds, pelleted feed, etc.) unless the horse is used for more than light work or in production, such as a lactating mare or a breeding stallion. Too many times horses are overfed rather than underfed. This fact sheet will help horse owners understand the digestive process and the general feeding requirements, including different grains and mixed grains, for their horses.

Equine Dental Care, Karl Hoopes, Patricia Evans, Diana Witkopf

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Just as people visit the dentist on a regular basis to maintain proper dental health, horses also require regular dental care. Horses should have at least annual dental check-ups to maintain proper alignment and remove points and hooks. This publication provides facts and suggestions on basic equine dental care for horses of all ages.

Utah Land Management Evaluation And Assessment Network Needs Assessment, Jordan Smith

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It can be difficult to make and implement land management decisions that are informed by the best available science, satisfy different stakeholders, and are compliant with established policies and regulations. Local, state, and federal entities with the capacity to influence land management decisions, can benefit from an understanding of the shared needs of landowners and managers. This needs assessment reports on the shared information, funding, and research needs expressed by land managers and owners throughout Utah who make decisions about: (1) fire prevention and suppression; (2) livestock grazing; (3) fisheries; or (4) wildlife. The report provides a high-level assessment of …

Aging Horses By Their Teeth, Karl Hoopes, Patricia Evans, Nancy Jack

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This publication tells how to pinpoint a horses age, within a fairly narrow range, by examining its teeth. Being able to pinpoint age can be of use to owners of unregistered horses or horses whose age is unknown for any reason. Many health and nutrition management decisions are directly related to age and dental wear, making it even more important for all horse owners to have a general understanding of how a horse’s mouth changes with age. From a historical perspective, up until recently when organized associations started keeping birth dates on registered horses, most horse professionals took great pride …

Pasture Management To Improve Dry Matter Intake, Marcus F. Rose, Earl Creech, Blair L. Waldron, S. Clay Isom, Michael Peel, Kara Thornton-Kurth, Jacob Hadfield, Kerry A. Rood

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Agricultural producers are constantly looking for ways to maximize returns while reducing input costs. On dairy operations, a move from confinement feeding to pasture grazing offers the potential to reduce costs associated with harvest and storage of feed. In such a transition, producers sometimes report a decline in milk production and growth of livestock—both of which can strongly correlate to dry matter intake. Fortunately, dry matter intake is something that can be influenced by management practices. In this publication, we discuss the pasture management practices to improve dry matter intake.

Size And Scope Of Carbon County Agriculture 2019, Ryan Feuz, Ryan Larsen, Steven Price

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Carbon County is located south of Duchesne and Wasatch counties in east-central Utah. Along with Emery County to the south, it is often referred to as Utah’s Castle Country. The county became industrialized very early after statehood with the arrival of the railroads and discovery of many coal beds for which the county is named. It is also a large producer of natural gas within the state. Its primary economic base today comes from regional services, retail, tourism, recreation and resource extraction. As of 2017, the population was estimated at 20,295. Price is the largest city and county seat. This …

Utah's Own Habitat Guidelines For Sage-Grouse, David K. Dahlgren, Michel Kohl, Eric Thacker, S. Nicole Frey, Terry Messmer

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Those living and working within western North America’s sagebrush landscapes have most likely been exposed to sage-grouse issues for many years now and may have felt anxiety concerning the potential impacts that could result from implementing conservation measures designed to help this iconic species persist. Society’s challenge to seek the delicate balance between the conservation of nature and the growth related to human endeavors exemplifies the need to use the best available science as we move forward. Representative information, especially at the landscape level related to sage-grouse, has been hard to come by. However, due to the vast amount of …