Salt Lake Community College

Biology Lab I Summary

Matthew Gage

Biology Lab I

Linda Rittenhouse

July 22, 2015

Introduction
In North America, the most common range weed is known as
broom snakeweed. Broom snakeweed is known to be undesirable
vegetation. It has made it presence known in overgrazed areas. When
desirable vegetation has been overgrazed, broom snakeweed then
replaces the desirable vegetation. It has even been know to flourish in
healthy plant communities that are not subject to grazing.
Researchers chose this project on the sole basis of preventing
rangeland degradation due to the selective living grazing that opens
the door for the undesirable species such as broom snakeweed in the
absence of desirable species. Scientists did this research in an effort
to limit rangeland degradation due to grazing livestocks tendency to
only graze on desirable species of weeds. Researchers are looking to
see if they can increase the desire of animals to graze on undesirable
weeds such as broom snakeweed by supplementing their diets. This is
important research because the desirable species of weeds will
eventually be completely replaced by undesirable weeds such as
broom snakeweed if this pattern of consumption and replacement
continues. The goal of the researchers is to see if they can encourage
animals to graze on the broom snakeweed through the use of the diet
selection theory of Provenza states that animals learn which plants to
eat or to avoid based on postingestive consequences. (Ralphs)

Materials and Methods

Researchers conducted a preliminary starch trial, pen
conditioning trial, standing crop and snakeweed density in the field
grazing trials, spring grazing trial, and fall grazing trial. They did this in
an effort to determine what environment and supplement combination
will be most favorable for cattle to consume broom snakeweed.
Researchers gathered the information from each trial by using the bite
count technique. The bite count technique is literally counting the
bites of each animal in the varied conditions. Though a tedious task, it
was necessary for each trial.
Results
In the preliminary starch trial, the 5% increase increments did
not seem to cause illness. In the pen conditioning trial, the starch
group consumed more broom snakeweed. In the standing crop and
snakeweed density in the field grazing trials, showed no difference in
standing crop between the two locations. In the spring grazing trial,
there were several changes that occurred during the three periods of
observation. In the fall grazing trial, broom snakeweed reach a peak
consumption of 35% of the bites. There was no indication in the
materials and methods section that indicated any surprising or
unexpected results from the study.
Discussion

Starch improved the desire for broom snakeweed in the pen but
was still not the preference when other options were available. The
information gathered helped researchers determine that it is indeed
possible to make broom snakeweed desirable. The conclusion was that
even though supplements could be used to make broom snakeweed
desirable, animals would choose other weeds if they were available.
There were no given limitations to the study.
Works Cited:

I. Ralphs, M.H., and R.D. Wiedmeier. "Conditioning Cattle to Graze

Broom Snakeweed." 1 Oct. 2004. Web. 1 Oct. 2014.
<http://journalofanimalscience.org/content/82/10/3100.full?
sid=c3ee7e9d-f23b-4586-88a1-7cc6bc5ea11b>.