Seasonal growth rates of tallgrass prairie after clipping
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Authors: R. L. Gillen, and R. W. McNew
Date: 1987
Journal: Journal of Range Management
Volume: 40
Number: 4
Pages: 342-345
Summary of Methods: The criteria used to determine the length of rest periods in pastures managed with rotational grazing were evaluated by Gillen and McNew, after pastures were clipped on different dates throughout the grazing season in this study. As clipping was delayed later in the season, total regrowth and max growth rate decreased but time to maximum regrowth and time to maximum growth rate were constant throughout the season. These results suggest that the length of rest periods will be the same throughout the growing season when pastures are rested until maximum growth rate is achieved, however, this will not allow adequate forage to accumulate later in the season because of the decline in regrowth as the season progresses. The authors suggested that determining the length of rest periods by the accumulation of forage in pastures following grazing would increase the length of rest periods later in the season and provide better management for tallgrass prairie pastures.
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: rotational grazing, growth analysis, simulated herbivory, grazing system, rest period length, clipping, tallgrass prairie
Annotation: Mowing treatments were applied one time each growing season. Plant were mowed to a 10-cm stubble height to approximate a moderate to heavy level of utilization at 4 or 5 different dates throughout the growing season.
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