Beaman Ranch

The Effects of Prairie Dogs on Cattle Performance
Objectives:
  • To measure the performance of cattle in the shortgrass steppe on and off prairie dog towns; the study will provide data/information that could be used to determine landowner incentive/compensation for prairie dog impact on ranch economics.
  • To describe the systems elements and attributes on and off prairie dog colonies that impact cattle food gathering and utilization.
  • To develop a guideline for cattle stocking rates on and off prairie dog colonies.
Where: In Bent County, south east of Horse Creek Reservoir
Soils: Loam
Town size: Total extent of colony on the Beaman ranch is over 1000 ha.
Pasture size: 265 ha (see treatment pasture map for colony distribution)
Other Towns:
Populating Density: Unknown at present
Active holes: 17/ha
Present Pasture Management: Recent grazing history is mixed and includes both seasonal and season-long grazing. Historically, there is evidence of heavy season-long and yearlong grazing pressure.


FINDINGS
2001