Findings in 2001 (Gray Ranch)

Findings in 2001 (Gray Ranch)
Production: [No statistical analysis. Use caution drawing inference]
  • Total standing crop of dry matter greater on than off prairie dog towns. Average standing crop in prairie dog and cattle exclosures was 1484 kg/ha vs 739 kg/ha, respectively. Yes, more on than off prairie dog towns.  
  • 54 % more palatable grasses off than on prairie dog towns, i.e., 629 kg/ha vs 335 kg/ha, respectively. 
  • Overall the percentage of palatable forage off and on prairie dog towns was very different. 23% of the forage produced on prairie dog towns was palatable, whereas, 85% of the forage produced off prairie dog towns was palatable. 
  • 51 % less blue grama on than off prairie dog towns, i.e., 550 kg/ha vs 267 kg/ha, respectively. 
  • 2885 % more red threeawn on than off prairie dog towns, i.e, 577 kg/ha vs 20 kg/ha, respectively. 
  • 192 % more galletta grass on than off prairie dog towns, i.e., 225 kg/ha vs 117 kg/ha, respectively. 
  • 85 % less sand dropseed on than off prairie dog towns, i.e., 18 kg/ha vs 123 kg/ha, respectively. 
  • On areas of prairie dogs only – cows excluded – unpalatable plants composed 91% of all above ground biomass. 
  • On areas exposed to both prairie dogs and cows, unpalatable plants composed 60 % of all above ground biomass. 
  • Palatable grasses were similar on area protected from both prairie dogs and cattle for 2 years (the 1999 exclosures), i.e., 616 kg/ha vs 629 kg/ha on and off prairie dogs towns, respectively.