Long-term cattle gain responses to stocking rate and grazing systems in northern mixed-grass prairie
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Authors: J. D. Derner, R. H. Hart, M. A. Smith, and J. W. Waggoner
Date: 2008
Journal: Livestock Science
Volume: 117
Number: 1
Pages: 60-69
Summary of Methods: Long-term effects of stocking rate and grazing system on livestock gains were assessed in the northern mixed-grass prairie at the USDA Agriculture High Plains Grassland Research Station in southeastern Wyoming (41° 11' N; 104° 53' W). This is a continuation of an existing study started in 1982 where the last 16 years of a 25-year study examined stocking rate and grazing system interactions comparing three stocking rates (light, moderate, heavy) of season-long grazing and two stocking rates (moderate, heavy) of short-duration grazing. Hereford yearling steers were weighed prior to and following each grazing season to determine average daily gains and beef production. Spring precipitation was also recorded as it influences forage production and livestock gains.
Article Summary / Main Points: Average daily gains (kilograms gained per head per day) decreased with increasing stocking rates across all years and both grazing systems. The short-duration grazing system reduced cattle gains by 6% compared to season-long grazing. Average daily gains decreased by 26% with dry springs and 18% with wet springs under heavy stocking rates. Average daily gain and beef production were found to be optimized with the moderate stocking rate for all study years during average and wet springs with season-long grazing. Beef production per unit land area exhibited a significant increase when grazing pressure and stocking rates were increased. Beef production and grazing season gains (kg/head) both exhibited significant increases with increasing spring precipitation.
Vegetation Types: Northern Mixed Prairie
MLRA Ecoregions: 67A Central High Plains, Northern Part
Agrovoc Control Words: Continuous grazing Rotational grazing Stocking rate
Article Review Type: Refereed
Article Type: Experimental Research
Keywords: average daily gain, continuous grazing, grazing pressure, rotational grazing, short-duration grazing, spring precipitation, stocking rate
Annotation: The results of this study are applicable to many grazing situations the effects of grazing on vegetation in terms of forage cover and mass were not considered in this study, and research paddocks were small and highly uniform in vegetation, ultimately neglecting large scale natural rangeland vegetation and soil heterogeneity. Additionally, specific stocking rate thresholds related to beef production were not included, leaving the results somewhat convoluted.
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