Tiller defoliation patterns under short duration grazing in tallgrass prairie
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Authors: R. L. Gillen, F. T. McCollum, and J. E. Brummer
Date: 1990
Journal: Journal of Range Management
Volume: 43
Number: 2
Pages: 95-99
Summary of Methods: Gillen et al. examined the impact of 3 short-duration grazing treatments (2, 3, and 4-grazing cycles, ranging from 3 to 9 days) and 2 stocking rates on Oklahoma tallgrass prairie over 2 years. Grass height was reduced by an average of 55% per grazing period under all treatments, except heavier stocking under the 2-cycle treatment which had the longest grazing period. Big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) was preferred under all treatments, and was defoliated to a greater degree as grazing periods lengthened. On average, the percent of big bluestem and little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) tillers defoliated per grazing period decreased as grazing cycles increased and grazing periods shortened.
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: rotation grazing, stocking rate, defoliation frequency, defoliation intensity
Annotation: Experimental treatments consisted of 3 grazing schedules under 2 stocking rates. Grazing schedule treatments were based on the number of complete grazing cycles (2,3,or 4) in an 8-pasture rotation that could be completed during a 152-day spring-summer grazing season. Stocking rate treatments were set at 1.3 (light) and 1.8 (heavy) times the Soil Conservation Service recommended rate for the range sites under study. Treatments were applied using a simulated 8-pasture short duration grazing system. Pasture number 4 in the rotation was used to determine the mean system effect.
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