| This study investigated fanned wapiti (Cervus elaphus) interactions with alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) in Alberta, Canada. The first experiment compared wapitisimulated defoliation (stripping) versus mowing at three heights on mid-vegetative alfalfa. Stripping alfalfa led to quicker recovery to a harvestable stand (p < 0.001), but resulted in less regrowth (p < 0.05), less total biomass (p < 0.001), fewer crown-derived stems (p < 0.05), and lower quality forage (p < 0.05) than mowing. Recovery was three (p < 0.05) and ten (p < 0.001) days quicker for plants defoliated to a 15cm height than 7.5 and 2.5cm, respectively, but total biomass production (p < 0.05) and forage quality (p < 0.01) were lower for the tallest height. Regardless of treatment, the majority of post-treatment biomass was crown-derived rather than from axillary buds. Overall, mowing resulted in greater alfalfa quantity and quality but required longer stand recovery than stripping.; The second experiment focused on soluble root protein levels of alfalfa from April to October under four sward management systems (SMS) utilizing wapiti grazing and/or haying. Root protein levels were not different among SMS (p > 0.05), but differed among sampling dates across SMS (p < 0.001), decreasing during initial spring growth (April to early June), and increasing during late summer-fall (late August to October). Root protein levels were lower in October than April (p < 0.001), but were adequate for subsequent growth initiation and not different (p > 0.05) among SMS.; The third experiment examined wapiti feeding on pure alfalfa versus predominantly bromegrass (Bromus riparius Rehm. cv. Regar) pastures. In grass-dominated stands, estimated dry matter (R2 = 0.41, p < 0.001) and digestible energy (R2 = 0.39, p < 0.01) intake rates of wapiti were asymptotically related to available herbage, and superior to alfalfa-only stands at herbage levels below about 2500kg/ha. On pure alfalfa, dry matter (R2 = 0.81, p < 0.001) and digestible energy (R2 = 0.95, p < 0.001) intake rates fit a third order polynomial indicating wapiti foraging efficiency exceeded grass-dominated stands when herbage exceeded approximately 2500kg/ha.; Results of this study suggest graziers should consider grass:legume mixtures to maximize wapiti intakes over the widest range of available herbage, or, if managing pure alfalfa, consider short durational grazing and/or alternating hay cuts to foster abundant quality regrowth. |
