A comparison of frontal, continuous and rotation grazing systems
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Authors: J. D. Volesky, F. D. O'Farrell, W. C. Ellis, M. M. Kothmann, F. P. Horn, W. A. Phillips, and S. W. Coleman
Date: 1994
Journal: Journal of Range Management
Volume: 47
Number: 3
Pages: 215-219
Summary of Methods: Volesky et al. measured animal performance and vegetation response to 3 different grazing systems (frontal, continuous, and rotational) with varying stocking rates. The frontal grazing system utilized a push-fence, which allowed cattle access to small areas of ungrazed pasture while simultaneously excluding previously grazed areas from regrazing and homogenizing forage use. When stocking rates were adjusted to leave similar amounts of residue at the end of the season, rotational grazing produced the greatest season-long daily gains, and frontal grazing increased the number of grazing days available, while decreasing the forb composition of the pastures. The frontal grazing system tested in this study resulted in more efficient forage use and a longer grazing season. However, it did not enhance animal production as expected, and is only recommended for use on cool-season and legume pastures, not native rangelands.
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: bothriochloa ischaemum, plains old world bluestem, steer performance, stocking rate, grazing management, animal production
Annotation: In trial 1, the frontal grazing treatment was stocked at a rate of 13.3 head/ha for the entire pasture, however, actual stocking densities ranged between 83 and 167 head/ha inside the fenced grazing area. Continuously grazed pastures were stocked at light (4.4 head/ha), moderate (6.7 head/ha), heavy (8.9 head/ha), and very heavy (11.1 head/ha) stocking rates. In trial 2, all grazing systems (frontal, continuous, rotational) were stocked at 6.7 head/ha and put and take stocking was used to maintain an end of summer 1500 kg/ha residue.
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