Education

B.S.: Animal Science, Brigham Young University - Idaho, 2008
M.S.: Range Science, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2010
Ph.D.: Range Science, New Mexico State University, 2014
 

Research Interests

Plant-herbivore interactions; grazing methods, timing of grazing; targeted livestock grazing; grazing distribution and behavior; social association patterns of cattle; feeding site selection; low-stress herding.

Publications

•  Stephenson, M. B., H. Wilmer, R. Bolze, and B. Schiltz. 2017. Evaluating an on-ranch rangeland monitoring program in Nebraska. Rangelands 39:143-151
• Stephenson, M. B., and D. W. Bailey. 2017. Do movement patterns of GPS-tracked cattle on extensive rangelands suggest independence among individuals? Agriculture 7(58):1-17
• Stephenson, M. B., D. W. Bailey, R. Bruegger, and L. Howery. 2017. Factors affecting the efficacy of low-stress herding and supplement placement to target cattle grazing locations Rangeland Ecology & Management 70:202-209.
• Bohnert, D. W., and M. B. Stephenson. 2016. Supplementation and sustainable grazing systems. Journal of Animal Science 94:15-25.
• Bailey, D. W., M. G. Thomas, T. N. Holt, M. B. Stephenson, R. M. Enns, and S. E. Speidel. 2016. Relationship of pulmonary arterial pressure and terrain use of Angus cows grazing high-altitude foothill rangelands. Livestock Science. 190:76-80.
• Stephenson, M. B., D. W. Bailey, and D. Jensen. 2016. Association patterns of visually-observed cattle on Montana, USA foothill rangelands. Applied Animal Behavior Science 178:7-15.
• Stephenson, M. B., D. W. Bailey, L. D. Howery, and L. A. Varelas. 2016. Efficacy of low-stress herding and low-moisture block to target cattle grazing locations on New Mexico rangelands. Journal of Arid Environments 130:84-93.
• Bruegger, R. A., L. A. Varelas, L. D. Howery, L. A. Torell, M. B. Stephenson, and D. W. Bailey. 2016. Targeted grazing in southern Arizona: Using cattle to reduce fine fuel loads. Rangeland Ecology & Management 69:43-51.
• Stephenson, M. B., W. H. Schacht, J. D. Volesky, K. M. Eskridge, and D. Bauer. 2015. Time of grazing effect on subsequent-year standing crop in the eastern Nebraska Sandhills. Rangeland Ecology & Management 68:150-157.
• Bailey, D. W., S. Lunt, A. Lipka, M. G. Thomas, J. F. Medrano, A. Canovas, G. Rincon, M. B. Stephenson, and D. Jensen. 2015. Genetic influences on cattle grazing distribution: Association of genetic markers with terrain use in cattle. Rangeland Ecology & Management 68:142-149.
• Bailey, D. W., M. B. Stephenson, and M. Pittarello. 2015. Effect of resource and terrain heterogeneity on feeding site selection and livestock movement patterns. Animal Production Science 55:298-308.
• Stephenson, M. B., W. H. Schacht, J. D. Volesky, K. M. Eskridge, E. M. Mousel, and D. Bauer. 2013. Grazing method effect on topographical vegetation characteristics and livestock performance in the Nebraska Sandhills. Rangeland Ecology & Management 66:561-569.
• Bailey, D. W., and M. B. Stephenson. 2013. Integrating stockmanship into rangeland management. Stockmanship Journal 2:1-12.

Extension Publications

• Johnston, B. M., J. D. Jenkins, J. A. Musgrave, L. A. Stalker, and M. B. Stephenson. 2017. Comparison of diets collected from esophageally-fistulated cows to forage quality estimated from fecal analysis. 2017 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report. 64 - 66 p.
• Dunn, C., J. Stubbendieck, and M. B. Stephenson. 2017. Common forbs and shrubs in Nebraska (updated revision). University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension Publication. (In Progress).
• Dunn, C., J. Stubbendieck, and M. B. Stephenson. 2016. Common grasses of Nebraska (updated revision). University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension Circular EC170. 178 p.
• Schacht, W. H., J. D. Volesky, D. E. Bauer, and M. B. Stephenson. 2011. Grazing systems for the Nebraska Sandhills. University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension Publication. EC127. 14 p.
• Schacht, W. H., J. D. Volesky, M. B. Stephenson, T. K. Klopfenstein, and D. C. Adams. 2010. Plant and animal responses to grazing systems in the Nebraska Sandhills. 2010 Beef Cattle Report. University of Nebraska-Lincoln, NE. 36-37 p.

Proceedings Papers

• Bohnert, D. W., and M. B. Stephenson. 2016. Supplementation and sustainable grazing systems. Proceedings of the 5th Grazing Livestock Nutrition Conference, Park City UT.
• Stephenson, M. B., 2015. Influencing livestock grazing distribution. Proceedings of the 2015 Nebraska Grazing Conference. 98-104 p.
• Bailey, D. W., M. G. Thomas, T. N. Holt, M. B. Stephenson, and S. E. Speidel. 2015. Relationship of pulmonary arterial pressure and terrain use of beef cows grazing high-altitude foothill rangelands. Proceedings, Western Section, American Society of Animal Science (Accepted)
• Stephenson, M. B., and D. W. Bailey. 2014. Associations among cattle on rangelands: Do cows have buddies and does it matter? Proceedings of the 2014 Corona Range and Livestock Research Center Annual Field Day. Corona, NM.
• Stephenson, M. B., and D. W. Bailey, R. Bruegger, and L. D. Howery. 2014. Targeted cattle grazing with low-moisture block protein supplement and low-stress herding in the southwest USA. Proceedings of the 2014 Corona Range and Livestock Research Center Annual Field Day. Corona, NM.
• Bailey, D. W., S. Lunt, A. Lipka, M. G. Thomas, J. F. Medrano, A. Cánovas, G. Rincon, and M. B. Stephenson. 2014. Association of genetic markers and terrain use in beef cows. Proceedings of the 2014 Corona Range and Livestock Research Center Annual Field Day. Corona, NM.
• Bailey, D. W., M. B. Stephenson, M. G. Thomas, J. Medrano, G. Rincon, A. Canovas, S. Lunt, and A. Lipka. 2013. Manipulation of the spatial grazing behaviour of cattle in extensive and mountainous rangelands. Proceedings of the 17th meeting of the FAO-CIHEAM mountain pastures network, Trivero, Italy. 95-98 p.
• Bailey, D. W., M. B. Stephenson, M. G. Thomas, J. F. Medrano, and G. Rincon. 2013. Manipulation of spatial grazing behaviour of livestock in extensive grassland systems. Proceedings of the 22nd Annual International Grassland Conference. Sydney, Australia.