Proportion of annual bromes in cattle diet, with annual brome phenology, forage quality, and forage availability, measured at two mixedgrass prairie study sites, USA

Phenological differences between native and invasive plants can facilitate invasion, but can also be targeted by management. In the western Great Plains of North America, the invasive annual grasses Bromus tectorum L. (cheatgrass) and B. arvensis (field brome) begin and end growth earlier than native competitors, providing an opportunity for targeted grazing. However, managers need to know when grazers preferentially consume or avoid annual bromes. We implemented spring targeted grazing for four years and quantified temporal cattle consumption patterns at two mixedgrass prairie sites in Wyoming and Nebraska, USA. We used fecal DNA metabarcoding to measure consumption of annual bromes and coexisting native species twice per week. Concurrently, we measured plant phenology, forage quality, and biomass. Within years, brome consumption was predicted effectively using two phenological metrics—plant height and days after seed maturation. Targeted grazing windows, defined as periods with ≥ 75% ..., , , # Proportion of annual bromes in cattle diet, with annual brome phenology, forage quality, and forage availability, measured at two mixedgrass prairie study sites, USA

[https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.wdbrv15z5](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.wdbrv15z5)

## Description of the data and file structure

These datasets and data dictionary are available in comma-delimited format. They are supplement to: Kray et al. 2024. Using targeted grazing to close the phenological niche exploited by invasive annual bromes. Rangeland Ecology & Management.

Sampling took place at two mixedgrass prairie study sites:

1\. NE (Scottsbluff, Nebraska, USA): Latitude 42.0270604, Longitude -103.7368762, 1270 m elevation

2\. WY (Cheyenne, Wyoming, USA): Latitude 41.212533, Longitude -104.853681, 1920 m elevation

Please see below for a general description of methods used to generate these data. Detailed information on measurements and statistical analyses can be found in the manuscript.

NOTE 1: \"Brome\" or \"br...