Effects of short duration and high-intensity, low-frequency grazing systems on forage production and composition
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Authors: C. A. Taylor, T. D. Brooks, and N. E. Garza
Date: 1993
Journal: Journal of Range Management
Volume: 46
Number: 2
Pages: 118-121
Summary of Methods: The effects of two grazing systems, short duration (graze 7 days, rest 42 days) and high-intensity, low-frequency (graze 14 days, rest 84 days) grazing, on the vegetation of the Edward's Plateau in Texas were measured in this four year study. Annual net primary production was similar between the two grazing systems and generally followed trends in precipitation, however, species composition did vary by grazing system. Short duration grazing resulted in pastures dominated by shortgrass species while pastures grazed under the high-intensity, low-frequency grazing system were dominated by midgrasses. The results of this study suggest that the high-intensity, low-frequency grazing system is more suited to increase range condition in the Edward's Plateau than the short duration grazing system because the longer rest periods of this system favored the reproduction and expansion of midgrasses in this grassland.
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: vegetation change, standing crop, primary production, grazing management, multi-species grazing, species composition
Annotation: The study site was the 7 high-intensity, low-frequency grazing system (HILF) (1970-1977) and short duration grazing (SDG) (1977-1980) pastures (32.4 ha/pasture). In 1980 the 7 pastures were subdivided into 14 pastures of 16.2 ha each. The 14 pastures were managed as a 1-herd SDG system until 1984 when two 7 pasture, 1-herd grazing systems (SDG and HILF) were initiated. The graze/rest periods of the SDG treatment were 7 and 42 days, compared to the 14 and 84 days for the HILF treatment. Each treatment was grazed with a combination of heifers, ewes, and nannies at a ratio of 1:1:1 AU equivalents. Stocking rate for the 2 treatments was 10.4 ha/auy for the 4-year study.
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