Long-Term Livestock Production
LT LiveProd is a collection of datasets primarily composed of legacy, long-term livestock performance and production data from grazing lands (rangelands, grasslands, pastures) and other production environments (e.g., feeding trials). Datasets included in this program need to cover at least 10 years in length and have some quantifiable livestock production attribute attached to them (e.g., live weight gain, body condition). Current contributors include federal and state research agencies (i.e., USDA-ARS and state experiment stations) but other data sources would also be considered if they meet the aforementioned criteria. Legacy livestock performance and production data are an under-valued resource for:
1) assessing influences of climatic variability and extremes within locations and across regions,
2) calibrating and validating grazing land and grazing animal models, and
3) providing examples of past, current, and predicted influences of a changing climate.
Applications of these datasets include the development of decision-tools and management guidelines/recommendations for land managers. Connecting livestock production to other data sources, such as soil types, ecological sites, topography, and vegetation productivity assists the development of integrated precision livestock and grazing land management strategies. Publication of long-term livestock production data demonstrates the importance of this public sector information to decision-makers and land managers developing management strategies for grazing lands. These data also contribute to the legacy of local research institutions, their researchers, and staff that conducted the research which contributes to regional and national livestock production data.
LT LiveProd Datasets
Data from USDA ARS High Plains Grasslands Research Station (East Unit) near Cheyenne, WY: Yearling cattle weight gains managed in light, moderate and heavily stocked pastures (1982-2022)
- 2x csv
Data from USDA ARS Central Plains Experimental Range (CPER) near Nunn, CO: Cattle weight gains managed with light, moderate and heavy grazing intensities
- 2x csv
Data from: USDA ARS Northern Great Plains Research Laboratory (NGPRL) legacy livestock production (1916-2016) under various rangeland managements with stocking rate and seeded crested wheatgrass
- 6x csv
Data on Pregnancy rates, calf weaning weights, and sale prices on the University of Nevada Agricultural Experiment Station’s Gund Ranch from 2008-2020
- 2x csv
Ewe and lamb body condition, breeding and production data from the Montana Agricultural Experiment station, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT from 1960 - 2012
- 4x csv
27 years of livestock production data under different stocking rate levels at the Central Grasslands Research Extension Center near Streeter, North Dakota
- 8x csv