Graduate Student Studies Whether On-Ground Feed Supplementation Can Improve Grazing Patterns, Support Pasture Health, and Enhance Beef Production Efficiency.
Kansas State University graduate student Tasha Macholan is investigating whether the placement of cattle supplements can improve calf growth while helping ranchers manage invasive Old World bluestem in western Kansas pastures.
Raised on a Nebraska cow-calf operation, Macholan developed an interest in pasture management after witnessing the effects of drought on livestock production.
"I became really passionate about working to mitigate drought effects through cattle management and looking at pasture health overall," Macholan said.
"The past few years have been difficult for producers with varying weather and drought conditions."
Now pursuing a master's degree in ruminant nutrition in K-State's Department of Animal Science and Industry, Macholan is conducting research at the Agricultural Research Center-Hays under Professor KC Olson. She also collaborates with range scientist Keith Harmoney and beef cattle systems specialist Emma Briggs.
Macholan study focuses on dried distillers grains, a protein-rich feed supplement commonly provided to calves during the latter half of the grazing season when forage quality naturally declines.
Rather than simply comparing feeding methods, the project explores whether placing the supplement directly on patches of invasive Old World bluestem encourages cattle to graze and trample the unwanted grass.
"There have been studies looking at burning it and using chemicals to control it," Macholan said. "My project is a little bit different. We're looking at on-ground supplementation."
The multi-year project involves about 100 stocker calves across eight pastures. Some cattle receive supplements in feed bunks, while others are fed directly on the ground in targeted areas dominated by Old World bluestem.
"They were basically taking it down to the bare soil in those areas," Macholan said. "It was interesting to see them eating a grass species they don't usually touch that time of year."
Initial findings indicate that calves receiving supplements gained more weight than unsupplemented cattle, while animals fed on the ground performed similarly to those using bunks. Researchers also observed a significant decline in Old World bluestem within treated areas.
"The areas that were grazed on the ground were a lot greener and a lot shorter," she said. "The calves were drawn to them more."
Macholan emphasized that additional years of data are needed before reaching firm conclusions. "The next year is really going to be the big part of the project," she said. "We'll see what grows back, how the grass and ground were affected and what happens to the biodiversity."
Reflecting on the experience, Macholan added, "It's been awesome working out here. The people at the station are wonderful, and the setup has been really great for me and my research."
"I grew up with a cow-calf background," Macholan said. "Over the years, I became passionate about mitigating drought effects through cattle management and looking at pasture health overall."
Photo Credit: kansas-state-university