Heifer fitness is a collection of traits including behavioral/metabolic adaption and genetic background. Type of development program for spring born heifers may influence how heifers cope with changes in rangeland pasture. Heifers were stratified to 1 of 2 winter development treatments at weaning: (1) fence line weaning on native range (NR) with self-fed salt-mineral protein supplement (n=118) or (2) weaned into a dry lot (DL) and fed corn silage diet formulated to gain 0.68 kg/d (n=53). Heifers assigned to DL were transported to pens in October 2013 while NR heifers were fence line weaned. The objective was to determine if differences existed in distance traveled, average speed, and time spent loafing after being separated for 6 months and maintained in either DL or NR and then were combined in a common pasture (April 9). An initial measurement occurred with DL and NR on April 1 with subsequent measurements occurring in common pasture for two measurements in April and once in May and August. A cohort of 21 heifers was individually fitted with QSTARZ CR-Q1100P GPS tracking recorders. Data were recorded until batteries were exhausted (36 hr). Distance traveled, average speed, and time spent loafing were all influenced by an interaction of date and development method (P<0.0001). On April 1, prior to recombining, heifers managed in DL spent less time loafing (6.8±2% vs 31.9±1.3%) but traveled (2.5km ±0.7) the same distance as NR (4.0km±0.6). On April 9 heifers were recombined in a common pasture. DL heifers traveled further (18±0.7 km/d vs 12.4±km/d) and faster (0.8±0.03km/hr vs. 0.5±0.02) but rested the same percentage of the day as NR. This study revealed that initial responses to a new pasture were different depending on winter management but in as little as 3 weeks distance traveled, resting time, and travel speed were similar.Â
Oral presentation and poster titles, abstracts, and authors from the Society for Range Management (SRM) Annual Meetings and Tradeshows, from 2013 forward.