Calling All Elk Managers:
Ever wonder what forage quality your elk are eating?
FINALLY! The Grazingland Animal Nutrition Lab at Texas A&M University is engaged in a research project that will produce a first
generation NIRS equation. This is a dissertation project funded by the Natural Resource Conservation Service. As well, the NRCS
regional offices are aiding us in our forage collection chore.
The project is huge and we anticipate needing approximately 10 tons of clipped forage as early as
June of this year! Let me say "Thank you, thank you, thank you" to the NRCS efforts thus far and
further appeal to all for additional help. By design, the feeding trials will represent whatever
forages an elk may be exposed to at various seasons of the year, and in various geographic locations.
Feeding trials will take place in LaGrande, Oregon; Fort Collins, Colorado; and College Station,
Texas. This is a "hands-on" research project that will have broad, practical application!
We invite all help from anyone who can aid in forage collection. We have a suggested list of forages
that need collecting and can provide the proper burlap bags. This is an exciting project!
We need everyone’s help for this to be successful. Please contact me if you have any questions, or would like to assist (409) 845-5838.
Thanks for your help!
Scott Keating – Elk Guide and PhD Student – Texas A&M University
