February 2014 Fort Keogh Researcher

Agricultural Research Introduction Service Dr. Mark Petersen, Research Leader

about our production on tive Officer, made a move the last page. I remember in August to the National Greetings from Fort when calves first broke Park Service. Russell Keogh. I hope this news- one dollar and thinking Morgan, a PhD student letter finds you looking what a great price that working with Lance Ver- forward to a promising was. I never imagined we meire, has taken an exten- spring only 20 days away! would sell calves for over sion faculty position at Last year was an interest- 2 dollars. The good year Texas A&M as a Fire ing year with both great financially was a needed Ecology Specialist work- In cooperation with highs and some unwanted shot in the arm as we are ing out of San Angelo. We lows. First of all, we had recoiling from the budget wish her the best of luck in good, well spaced mois- reductions passed through her new career. Then, in ture last year. By the end the federal government. October, we hired a new of December we were 46% Our response to those re- building engineer from above our average (just the ductions has been to abol- Offutt Air Force Base in opposite of 2012 when we ish one scientist, one tech- , Luke Shurtliff. were 40% below normal). nician and one program Luke comes to us with a With the regular frequency support assistant position lot of great experience and of moisture we had visible over the last 2 years. In we look forward to him green grass all year up un- addition, we have discon- taking over the job and til mid-December when it tinued our summer intern- making it his own. Our got covered under 8 inches ship program for college building at times can act of snow. But that green and high school students. like a sensitive organism. grass helped with heavier Inside this issue: A rancher in eastern Mon- We signed on Amy Bon- calves at weaning, high tana concerned that we had trager as our incoming Ad- pregnancy rates along with Introduction 1-2 discontinued the internship ministrative Officer who lots of grass and hay (see program gifted the Fort will be starting in March. Hoofin’ It For 2 Brad’s corner on page 7). funds for 3 college student Her experiences are varied Hunger Results There was a cautious atti- interns this summer. We as a financial analysis, Early weaning 3 tude concerning the imple- will be cooperating with budget management, logis- could improve heif- mentation of our new 5 the Animal and Range Sci- tics, and managing people. er and steer perfor- year beef cattle project ences Department at MSU She will move to Miles mance plan with 2 groups of heif- to implement the intern- City with her husband and Visiting Scientist 4-5 ers to be reared on winter ship gift. young son. Amy is enthu- range with minimal inputs. When you stop by to siastic about this position Activities 6 We were very pleased visit us this year you will and and we are when each group tested see new people. Dr. Lee excited about her joining Recent 6-7 over 90% pregnant in the Publications Alexander (Beef Cattle the Fort Keogh family. fall running basically on Genomics) retired in Sep- Next in personnel changes, New Employee 7 range grass. Then what tember, Whisper Kelly a Andy Roberts was award- topped off the great grass Assistant’s Corner 7 Range Nutrition Science ed an ARS National Pro- and cattle year were cattle technician, left in August grams Post-doctoral award prices. Our Ranch Manag- to start a new career in the to support our functional er Brad Eik has written a feed industry, and Mari- genomics program. We more detailed account beth Wuertz, Administra- Introduction (continued)

Introduction (continued) expect that position to be advertised (Hirsch) Schantz who has an article on tations to speak at conferences and in the next couple of months. In the page 4. Lastly a visiting scientist from meetings all over the region and the same discipline, we are close to an- Spain will arrive at Fort Keogh in May country. We value getting our re- nouncing a search for a new genetic/ to work with Andy Roberts on range search results into the hands of peo- genomics scientist to join our scien- cow efficiency and longevity research ple that would like to use it. Finally tific team. We suspect this position problems we held a couple of rancher could be advertised about the same Since the last newsletter we have roundtable discussions with small time the post doctoral position is had a number of groups visit the Fort groups of ranchers that wanted to made public. Another personnel for pasture/cattle/research tours. This share ideas, experiences, observa- change is in association with our includes community college students, tions and results of experiments or cooperative affiliation with Montana university students, Line Breeders As- new management techniques. These State University. We just completed sociation, 4-H Beef Project leaders, events have been very good for us to interviews for the MSU Beef Cattle Governors’ Range Tour, Australian learn what are the concerns and ide- Extension Specialist. All of the can- ranchers group and Red Angus Youth as of our neighbors. didates were highly qualified and we Association. In June we are planning Please come out to visit us or look forward to Fort Keogh being on the Montana Stock Growers Asso- bring your group for a roundtable their professional home. We in turn ciation during their mid-year meeting discussion or a tour. We enjoy shar- provide office space, technical sup- to have lunch here at the Fort followed ing our work with anyone. Have a port and a great research facility for by a 2 hour tour. In September, a half good spring! them to work at so they can more day tour will be held with members of readily provide extension education the Montana Hereford Association in to . conjunction with the Hereford Field Since last fall, we have had a Day to be held at the Custer County visiting doctoral student from Ore- Fairgrounds. Many of our scientists gon State University, Merilyn and technicians accept individual invi-

Peter Taylor, dressed as the to- ken cow, crosses the finish line from his half marathon run at the Hoofin It for Hunger Fun Run held in Miles City on October 13. There were 51 runners in the 5K, 20 runners in the 10K, and 34 runners in the half marathon. The run was organized by Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers, Fort Keogh Employ- ees, Holy Rosary Healthcare, and the Montana Food Bank network. This year we raised over $5500 for the Montana Food Bank and about 800 pounds of food was collected for the local food bank!

2 Early weaning

When environmental conditions Heifers that were early weaned such as drought jeopardize cattle reached a reproductive age soon- production by reducing calf harvested feedstuffs required to er. Also, early weaning did not growth and weaning weights and over winter these cows. impair a heifer’s opportunity to decreasing cow body condition be retained in the herd as a re- and body weight, early-weaning Under some circumstances, early placement female. management strategies may offer weaning might also increase the some relief. likelihood of the cow becoming An evaluation of steer calves for pregnant earlier in the breeding body weight gain, feedlot perfor- Calf weight is critical to the eco- season, according to Waterman. mance and carcass characteristics nomic viability of a ranch, and supported the concept that early- reduced cow weight and body weaned steers reach maturity condition may negatively impact sooner during the finishing phase, future production. Animal health according to Waterman. and well-being may also be af- fected in stressful situations creat- However, the research also re- ed by drought conditions. Agri- vealed that if early-weaned steers cultural Research Service (ARS) are not identified prior to entering scientists at our Fort Keogh Live- the feed yard or finishing phase stock and Range Research Labor- and subsequently harvested at a atory (LARRL) in Miles City, similar time as traditionally Mont., have found that early weaned calves of similar genetics weaning of spring-born calves and age, early-weaned steer car- improves body weight gain and casses may be too fat and receive condition of the cow herd. less desirable U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) yield Animal scientist Richard Water- grades. Yet, if early-weaned man and his colleagues at steers are identified prior to en- LARRL, along with researchers at tering the feed yard and harvested Montana State University and the at an early age, market premiums American Simmental Association can be earned for those carcasses. in Bozeman, Mont., evaluated the early weaning of beef calves and ARS is the chief intramural sci- the impact it has on cow, heifer entific research agency of USDA. (young female cow) and steer per- When drought hits rangeland limiting These research findings, which formance. forage, it can be more productive for were published in Livestock Sci- cattle ranchers to wean calves much ence, support the USDA priority Scientists compared calves earlier, according to ARS research. of promoting international food weaned at a traditional age of 215 security. days to calves weaned early at 80 days of age at two locations— By Sandra Avant / USDA-ARS LARRL and a commercial ranch at Judith Gap, Mont. Cows that had their calves removed at 80 days weighed more and were in better body condition going into winter, reducing the amount of

3 Local returns to Fort Keogh

grasses, although restoration success rates Happy New Year! Basin, which is the land that lies between are low, about 10%. I hope you all had safe and wonderful the Rocky Mountains and the Cascade and To effectively manage the effects holidays and that you are excited for an- Sierra Nevada Mountains. Cheatgrass, for of annual grasses, my advisor, Dr. Roger other new year! I am Merilynn (Hirsch) example, received its name from farmers Sheley, of the USDA-ARS in Burns, Ore- Schantz and am working on a Ph.D. with and ranchers at the turn of the century an- gon, created a forecasting computer pro- Oregon State University in association ticipating they were to receive a bountiful gram, named "Ecologically Based Invasive with the USDA-ARS Eastern Oregon Ag- hay crop in the early spring, but soon real- Plant Management" or EBIPM ricultural Research Center in Burns, OR. ized by early summer, they had been (www.EBIPM.org). This program assesses Because the ARS and my advisors have cheated because the awns that cheatgrass ecologically based invasive plant manage- good working relationships, I have had produced were unpalatable to livestock ment control practices comparing various the privilege of returning home to Miles rendering any hay useless. Following the science based solutions to resolve manage- City to be with my family and finish writ- introduction of annual grasses in the late ment problems. Over the past seven years, ing my dissertation. 1800’s, annual grasses spread quickly, Roger’s team of scientists and graduate As a local gal, I began working especially in disturbed areas and over- students has worked on testing each part of at Fort Keogh at the age of 16 on the grown sagebrush regions. This was be- the EBIPM model throughout the Great Range Crew (identifying and clipping cause annual grasses, unlike perennial Basin to ensure the accuracy of the fore- plants etc.) and worked here until I gradu- grasses, are able to thrive under sagebrush cast. Testing has spanned five states and ated from high school. My experiences at canopies and will easily spread into recent- projects have focused on how annual Fort Keogh enticed me to pursue a Range ly disturbed spaces between sagebrush. grasses affect historical ecology, plant Science career; so, soon after graduation, I The combination of large, old growth invasion vigor, seedling ecology, manage- ventured to Lincoln, Nebraska, where I sagebrush and small annual grasses creates ment practices, and economics. In 2012, received my undergraduate degree in a continuous fuel load on these once EBIPM was the focus of the Rangelands Rangeland Ecology from the University patchy landscapes such that when fire oc- Journal published by the Society for of Nebraska-Lincoln. Next, I headed to curs, acreage burned is larger, wildfire Range Management and many of these Utah State University to pursue a Master’s burns hotter, and severity of damage is completed studies were illustrated. Data Degree where I worked for the USDA- greater than would have occurred if cheat- collection is still ongoing to better identify ARS Forage and Range Research Labora- grass was not present. the results from different restoration meth- tory on a project that uncovered how plant Controlling lightning started ods on reducing the effects of annual grass -soil relationships change due to changes wildfires in this region is a daunting task. invasion in rangeland ecosystems. in management strategies, such as pre- Not only can temperature in the scribed fire, targeted grazing, and use of summer months reach upwards of pre-emergence herbicides. Following my 100 ºF, but the winds, topography, Master’s degree, I returned to Miles City and fuel load contribute to wildfire for a short time and happened to meet my spread. The additional effects from husband. We were married in September, wildfire on annual grass invaded 2012 and had been living apart until re- areas include increases in land- cently. The joy of being home and work- slides and wildlife habitat losses. ing with all the great people here from For example, because annual Fort Keogh is endless, and I am extremely grasses root systems turn over an- grateful to have this opportunity. nually, when rainfall occurs in the In Oregon, I am working on a winter months, the lack of root study designed to develop better methods structure fails to hold soils together for restoring annual grass invaded range- causing major landslides in moun- lands with native perennial grasses. Spe- tainous regions. In addition, sage- cifically, our aim is to identify how cru- brush-steppe ecosystems are the cial the amount of perennial grass seed primary habitat of sage grouse. used, season of seeding, number of times Wildfires generally en- an area is seeded, and moisture availabil- courage spread of annual grasses in ity is on the population and yield of annu- the Great Basin. Following wild- al and perennial grasses. fires, annual grasses quickly Annual grasses, like cheatgrass, reestablish and generally dominate Japanese brome, or medusahead (an ag- a recently burned area within two gressive winter annual grass that is chang- growing seasons, when no control ing the ecology of eastern rangelands in management is used. Consequent- Oregon), are acclimated to a range of con- ly, it is estimated that over 100 ditions and are a major problem through- million dollars are spent each year out the western U.S., especially the Great in managing the effects of annual

4 Visiting Scientist, cont.

Dr. Sheley’s EBIPM model es are typically poor. Consequently, it dict restoration outcomes. Alternatively, suggests that plant community compo- is of upmost importance to identify why when the number of annual grass seeds sition is driven by site availability, spe- perennial grasses are unable to be re- is low; increasing perennial grass seed- cies availability, and species perfor- stored to annual grass invaded ecosys- ing to both fall and spring promotes the mance. Site availability means that a tems. highest perennial grass success. site must be available for a seed to ger- Multiple studies have investi- Improving perennial grass res- minate and survive to produce good gated various management treatments to toration success on highly annual grass seed. Site availability is determined by increase perennial grass reestablishment. invaded systems is difficult and the ap- the number of disturbances that provide Restoration outcomes generally are plication of my results to other ranges open space for new plant establishment. heavily influenced by year and precipi- like the Northern Great Plains, needs to Species availability refers to the ability tation. For my study, I took a different be tested before any recommendations of an established plant to produce and approach; my goal was to identify the can be given. Currently, I am working disperse viable seeds to open spaces. role of seeding time, seeding rates, and with scientists here at Fort Keogh to The sum of number and viability of water availability on annual and peren- submit a competitive grant to the USDA seeds produced as well as available nial grasses throughout their life history. that would identify whether the results open spaces strongly influences the To complete this task we tested the ef- that I found in Oregon can be useful to species success. Plant traits also affect fects of perennial grass seeding timing reclaim and restore rangelands threat- plant community composition depend- and frequency, soil moisture availabil- ened by annual grasses in the Northern ing on how plants respond to environ- ity, and annual and perennial grass seed- Great Plains or in the Rocky Mountains. mental conditions like weather, their ing rates on annual and perennial grass Eliminating annual grasses is life history from germination to adult seedling density from germination to the not likely, although reducing the effects stages, how they manage stress, and second-year of adult life and final grass through restoration efforts seems proba- how they tolerate interference. Even yield two years following seeding. ble when using ecologically based inva- though this model seems to have a lot Some of the results of my study sive plant management strategies. Be- of common sense behind it; there is still were surprising. For example, we found cause our research has identified that much work to be done to improve its that perennial grass germination success there is a threshold where restoration prediction accuracy. was two times higher when perennial success is economically unrealistic; fo- My role is focused on species grasses were seeded with annual grasses cusing best land management practices availability. Species availability is de- as compared to being seeded alone. We on healthy non-degraded areas may be a termined by species dispersal, or the also found that perennial grass success better option economically than trying timing and rate of spread of seeds and was highest when the number of peren- to re-create healthy plant populations the reproduction characteristics. Identi- nial grass seeds exceeded 2500 seeds after rangeland has been severely de- fying the role of dispersal in invasion per square meter. In addition, seeding graded. My hope is that our research and restoration is challenging. Depend- half of the allotted amount of perennial serves to create an alternative tool that ing on the type, the time, and the grasses in the fall and the remaining half can be used by some land managers to amount of seeds that arrive in a plant in the spring produced the highest suc- limit the impact of annual grasses on our community, plant community composi- cess as measured by population number rangelands. tion will vary. For example, annual and plant growth of perennial grasses grasses generally disperse their seeds, two-years following seeding. However, germinate, and emerge about 2-3 weeks when the number of annual grass seeds before perennial grasses, allowing an- exceeded 1500 seeds per square meter, nual grasses to preemptively occupy perennial grass density and yield was and dominate favorable growing sites. low, regardless of the number of peren- Complicating the success of perennial nial grass seeds added. When moisture grasses, in annual grass invaded re- availability was higher, perennial grass- gions; annual grass seeds typically es had high numbers in early growth make-up about 99% of the total number stages, but because moisture strongly of seeds in the soil. Thus, even when increased annual grass production; addi- managers eradicate the above ground tional moisture only yielded higher production of annual grasses, annual numbers of perennial grass plants two- grasses will still typically return due to years following seeding when the num- their enormous seed bank in the soil. ber of annual grass seeds were low. Co- When perennial grass seeds are added incidentally, initial effects of high per- to areas that annual grasses dominate, ennial grass germination when seeded restoration outcomes of perennial grass- with annual grasses do not seem to pre-

5 Fort Keogh Fort Keogh Outreach Activities Current Publications

August 27, 2103—Rancher Round December 13, 2013—Fort Keogh Table with 4 area ranches. Branson, D.H., Vermeire, L.T. 2013. Open House with tours. Heat dosage and oviposition depth June 30— Australian Rancher Tour. influence egg mortality of two com- November 14, 21013—Rancher mon rangeland grasshopper species. June 24, 2013—Prairie County Range Roundtable with Big Sandy Ranch. Rangeland Ecology and Management. Tour: Exploring Fort Keogh. About 20 66(1):110-113. October 21, 2013—Fort Keogh hosted producers from Prairie County received 25 students and 1 teacher from the Mon- research updates as follows: Fort MacNeil, M.D., Vermeire, L.T. 2012. tana Student Senate Conference being Keogh: Introduction and Research Over- Effect of weather patterns on prewean- held in Miles City, MT. Brad Eik, Assis- view, Mark Petersen; Timing of Grazing ing growth of beef calves in the North- tant to the Superintendent, opened with after Fire, Lance Vermeire; Riparian ern Great Plains. Agricultural Scienc- an overview of Fort Keogh, followed by Grazing Management, Clayton Marlow; es. 3(7):939-935. Erin Espeland, Ecologist, giving a talk and Do the Heifer Development Strate- titled ‘5 easy steps to becoming a scien- gies of Yesterday Work for your Cattle Minten, M.A., Bilby, T.R., Bruno, tist.’ Kurt Reinhart, Ecologist, then Today? Andy Roberts. In the afternoon R.S., Allen, C.C., Madsen, C.A., talked about careers in ARS and ex- a tour of the range to look at the heifers Wang, Z., Sawyer, J.E., Tibary, A., plained his background and how he in a grazing-based heifer development Neibergs, H.L., Geary, T.W., Bauer- came to be a scientist, and then Andy study, see pastures with various stocking sachs, S., Spencer, T.E. 2013. Effects Roberts, Reproductive Physiologist, rates or seasonal use, and talk about late of fertility on gene expression and gave a bus tour of his project talking season protein supplementation, was function of the bovine endometrium. about animal science and the resources provided. PLoS One 8(8):1-14 (e69444). available to do research. June 24, 2013—The Red Angus Jr. Mulliniks, J.T., Mathis, C.P., Cox, October 13, 2013—Hoofin’ It for Hun- Round Up group of 65 high school stu- S.H., Petersen, M.K. 2013. Supple- ger, 5K, 10K and Half Marathon race dents visited Fort Keogh. They were given a full tour consisting of talks by mentation strategy during late gesta- with Montana Farm Bureau as a Food Mark Petersen (Introduction and Histo- tion alters steer progeny health in the Bank Network Fundraiser. Over $5500 ry), Andy Roberts (What do you know feedlot without affecting cow perfor- was raised for the food bank and we about Genetics? And Reproduction: mance. Animal Feed Science and collected almost 300 pounds of food for from beginning to end), Richard Water- Technology 185:126–132. the local food pantry. man (Nutrition: Meet the amazing Ru- October 17, 2013—Miles City Leader- men), Morgan Russell and Jen Muscha Mulliniks, J.T., Kemp, M.E., Endecott, ship Workshop visited Fort Keogh. Brad (Range: Fire!). They were then given a R.L., Cox, S.H., Roberts, A.J., Water- Eik, Assistant to the Superintendent, tour of the horsebarn and then toured up man, R.C., Geary, T.W., gave an overview of Fort Keogh and the the hill and Andy Roberts showed them Scholljegerdes, E.J., Petersen, M.K. research being accomplished here. the CGC Composite Herd and Morgan 2013. Does ß-hydroxybutyrate con- There were about 20 participants of lo- Russell showed them the burn plots. The centration influence conception date in cal business people. students took the afternoon to compete young postpartum range beef cows? in speech contests. Journal of Animal Science. 91:2902- September 28, 2013—4-H Beef Leader- 2909. ship seminar and Tour. June 11— MT Fish Wildlife and Parks — Tour Russian Olive Recovery Site. Mulliniks, J.T., Waterman, R.C., September 22, 2013—a Customer Focus Geary, T.W. 2013. Economics of early Group meeting was held. There was May 2—Sue Bellows, Bio. Lab. Tech., weaning in Northern Great Plains beef good attendance and updates of the re- gave a presentation/demonstration to the cattle production system. Agricultural search were given and discussions held High School Ag students on a career Sciences. 4(5):219-223. on current and future research. opportunity in cattle reproduction. They talked about all aspects of the artificial Sept ember 10—National Red Angus Pohler, K.G., Geary, T.W., Johnson, insemination process including semen C.L., Atkins, J.A., Jinks, E.M., Busch, Association meeting in Lewistown – collection on the bull side and synchro- D.C., Green, J.A., MacNeil, M.D., Fort Keogh Livestock and Range Cur- nization on the cow side. Also, a hands Smith, M.F. 2013. Circulating bovine rent Research Seminar. on demonstration where the students pregnancy associated glycoproteins were able to practice the technique of September 10th—Governor's Range (bPAGs) are associated with late em- artificial insemination on reproductive bryonic/fetal survival but not ovulato- Tour reviewing fire ecology plots and tracts was provided. ry follicle size in suckled beef cows. research.

6 Assistant’s Corner By Brad Eik Journal of Animal Science 91:4158- 4167.

Reeves, J.L., Derner, J.D., Sanderson, Greetings from Fort Keogh! Hope eve- to challenge us with the cow herd being M.A., Petersen, M.K., Vermeire, L.T., ryone enjoyed the milder weather the Hendrickson, J.R., Kronberg, S.L. over 80% between A I and bull service back half of January offered us after that which is better than the last few years 2013. Seasonal temperature and recipi- blizzardy start! tation effects on cow-calf production in but we are aware things still need work. The heifers from the L1 herd were a northern mixed-grass prairie. Livestock Just wanted to give a few updates about Science. 155:355-363. total wreck at 50% breed up with both A what’s been going on over last summer I and bull service. It was a combination and this fall out here. After that scary Reeves, J.L., Derner, J.D., Sanderson, of shortened breeding season and a sin- start last April and first part of May we gle sire cleanup bull that tested good but M.A., Hendrickson, J.R., Kronberg, had a very good year here at the Fort. S.L., Petersen, M.K., Vermeire, L.T. went bad at some point through the sea- Our alfalfa hay averaged 4.5 tons/ac on son. We are already in the process of 2013. Seasonal weather influences on just two cuttings. With all the late fall yearling beef steer production in C3- trying to improve the breed up in this rain, it was hard to get any third cutting herd as it appears to be the only one we dominated Northern Great Plains put up and sitting on a nice hay cushion rangeland. Agriculture, Ecosystems struggle with on a yearly basis. I decided we would utilize the third cut- and Environment. 183:110-117. ting standing and bring cows in closer to Our newly acquired black angus cattle home also running weaned heifer calves for the new heterosis project bred up Reeves, J.L., Derner, J.D., Sanderson, out on them as opposed to locking them M.A., Peterson, M.L., Vermeire, L.T., fairly well as we expected with 15 of 18 up in the feedlot. That decision really coming three year olds bred and 47 out Hendrickson, J.R., Kronberg, S.L. improved the health of those heifers 2013. Temperature and precipitation of 51 for 92% breed up on the heifer especially the Line 1 females that have calves. This fall and early winter I have affect steer weight gains differentially shown respiratory troubles in the feed- by stocking rate in northern mixed- purchased another 62 head of registered lot. We planted a couple fields down to black angus cattle buying 33 heifer grass prairie. Rangeland Ecology and alfalfa that we nursed with hay barley Management. 66(4):438-444. calves and 21 five and six year old cows which averaged over 6 tons/acre and we from the Brook’s Ranch sale in Bow- never needed to run water over it until Rinella, M.J., Masters, R.A., Bellows, man, ND and 8 more heifer calves from the hay barley was pulled off. It was a the Thistledew Angus Ranch sale near S.E. 2013. Effects of growth regulator tremendous stand. The grass hay pro- herbicide on downy brome (Bromus Joliet, MT. We have put together a very duced very well on one cutting at over 3 snappy looking set of black cattle in tectorum) seed production. Journal of ton/ac while the regrowth is being Invasive Plant Science and Manage- anticipation of the start of our new grazed currently for a winter feeding study. All the herds are in their winter ment. 6:60-64. study. Our feed barley averaged over 80 homes now and we are waiting for bu/acre and our corn silage was nearly calves to start falling in mid March. Russell, M., Vermeire, L.T., Dufek, 32 ton/ac. N.A., Strong, D.J. 2013. Fire, defolia- Hope everyone is enjoying this fantastic tion, and competing species alter Aris- On the cattle side of things, once Buck- tida purpurea biomass, tiller, and axil- cattle market and having a great winter ing Horse Sale finally got here and the so far and as always if there is ever any- lary bud production. Rangeland Ecolo- rain started, they did quite well also. gy and Management 66:290-296. thing myself or any of the staff here at The physiology cow herd had its best Fort Keogh can do to help you and your breed up in history with over 80% timed operation please don’t hesitate to con- A I (artificial insemination) bred and a tact us! Thanks for your time total of over 98% bred on almost 400 New cows. With 91 replacement heifers to Brad Eik breed from this herd they did almost as Employee well with 69.23% A I bred and a total Ranch Manager breed up of 90%. Our CGC herd which Fort Keogh LARRL is our composite herd of 50% Red An- gus, 25% Charolaise, and 25% Taren- Luke Shurtliff joins taise on a 45 day breeding season with the staff at Fort Keogh just bull breeding on nearly 500 cows as the HVAC Mechan- was nearly 97% as well. The heifers ic for the main build- from this bunch of cows were also a ing replacing Rod success with 88.4% bred in a 30 day Stieg. season. Our Line 1 herefords continue

7 Agricultural Research Service

USDA-ARS Livestock and Range Research Laboratory 243 Fort Keogh Road Miles City, MT 59301-4016 http://www.ars.usda.gov/npa/ftkeogh

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Hoofin’ it for Hunger Fun Run

Planning is underway with the Montana Farm Bureau Young Save the date! Ranchers and Montana Food Bank Network for the next October 12, 2014 Hoofin’ it for Hunger Fun Run on October 12, 2014, to be held at the Fort Keogh Livestock and Range Research Laboratory at Miles City, Montana. We had a great race last year with over 30 people running the 1/2 Mara- thon! We will include a 1/2 Mara- thon, 10K, 5K, and a 1 & 2 mile fun run again this year. The long runs will be over dirt roads and trails, so preparation is a must! The registration form will be available on our website www.ars.usda.gov/npa/ftkeogh or at http://mfbf.org/.