The effects of mineral supplementation in large scale bison herds on feeding behavior and circulating minerals.

Lead Applicant:  Dr. Phil Urso, SDSU (co-PIs:  Carter Kruse & Tom Bragg – Turner Institute of Ecoagriculture)

Budget Request:  Year 1 – $68,105; Year 2 – $59,085; Year 3 – $8,027 

Total:  $135,217 (over 3 years)

Lay Summary: While beef and other livestock species have specific, established requirements for various minerals included in dietary formulation, similar standards have not been developed for bison. This project seeks to generate data that will further understanding of mineral requirements of American Plains Bison. Phase 1 of this project will focus on gathering blood, forage, feed, and fecal samples from herds within the Turner Enterprise system, which accounts for approx. 10% of the species population in the U.S., to develop a system and species wide baseline census for biological minerals. Phase 2 of this project will modify existing mineral protocols (e.g., historic lack of mineral supplementation at Spikebox) to determine effects of additional mineral supplementation on circulating minerals and reproductive success. This data will immediately serve producers in assessing management decisions regarding mineral supplementation.