Growth of winterfat following defoliation in northern mixed prairie of Saskatchewan
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Authors: J. T. Romo, R. E. Redmann, B. L. Kowalenko, and A. R. Nicholson
Date: 1995
Journal: Journal of Range Management
Volume: 48
Number: 3
Pages: 240-245
Summary of Methods: Romo et al. examined the effects of cattle grazing and simulated grazing, at different times in the growing season on winterfat (Ceratoides lanata) growth and production to determine the appropriate grazing management for pastures containing this palatable, high quality shrub. Cattle grazing significantly reduced the density, frequency, and cover of winterfat compared to ungrazed pastures. Results of clipping studies varied slightly by year but suggested that in general the amount of winterfat regrowth declines when plants are defoliated later in the growing season and that the amount of regrowth after defoliation will affect plant production the following year. Therefore, the authors concluded that grazing systems having multiple or prolonged grazing periods, such as rotational or continuous, will not benefit winterfat plants as plants will most likely be defoliated more than one time per season and produce limited regrowth, therefore, they recommend deferring grazing until late October when damage to plants will be minimal since plants have already dispersed seeds and are dormant.
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: winterfat, ceratoides lanata, defoliation, grazing management, productivity, standing crop
Annotation: Pastures with cattle are grazed from May-June and then from September-October or are continuously grazed from May-October. In the first clipping study, plants were clipped to a 5 cm stubble height one time in mid-June or mid-July and then harvested in mid-August of the next year. In the second clipping study, plants were clipped to a 5 cm stubble height one time at 2 week intervals, starting in early May and ending in late August. All plants were harvested in September the year of and the year after the defoliation.
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