Vegetation response to increased stocking rates in short-duration grazing
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Authors: M. H. Ralphs, M. M. Kothmann, and C. A. Taylor
Date: 1990
Journal: Journal of Range Management
Volume: 43
Number: 2
Pages: 104-108
Summary of Methods: Ralphs et al. determined the impacts of increasing stocking rates on plant species composition and standing crop, under short-duration grazing management, in a Texas mixed-grass prairie. Standing crop decreased as stocking rate increased, reducing the amount of forage available to cattle. Species composition was not significantly different at the end of the five year study, however, a shift in plant composition from mid-grass to short-grass species was evident. Results of this study support the findings of previous research and refute the claims that managing pastures with short-duration grazing will enhance forage production, maintain species composition and allow increases in stocking rates.
Article Summary / Main Points: None
Vegetation Types:
MLRA Ecoregions:
Agrovoc Control Words: Riparian zones Rangelands Wildlife
Article Review Type: Refereed
Article Type: Experimental Research
Keywords: species composition, standing crop, forage availability, frequency, short-duration grazing
Annotation: Stocking rates were 1.38, 2.05, 2.64, and 3.46 AUM/ha for block 1, and 1.67, 2.52, 3.23, and 4.21 AUM/ha for block 2. These represented 1, 1.5, 2, and 2.5 times the recommended stocking rates for the representative sites.
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