Deer damage to alfalfa and mixtures with timothy or orchardgrass
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Authors: M. H. Hall, and R. C. Stout
Date: 1999
Journal: Journal of Range Management
Volume: 52
Number: 5
Pages: 515-518
Summary of Methods: Hall and Stout determined the effects of interseeding timothy (Phleum pratense) and orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata) with alfalfa (Medicago sativa) on deer (Odocoileus virginianus) forage utilization and income losses (via hay sales). Deer preferentially grazed alfalfa, in pure and mixed stands, however, they also consumed more timothy than orchardgrass while grazing mixed pastures. Deer reduced economic returns $152/ha on average, and stands of alfalfa seeded with 50% timothy or 25-75% orchardgrass produced the highest returns. Based on these results, the authors suggest that alfalfa pastures should be interseeded with grasses, at the rates previously suggested, to reduce forage and economic losses due to deer grazing in Pennsylvania 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: white-tailed deer, odocoileus virginianus, alfalfa, medicago sativa, economics, selective grazing, forage value
Annotation: Whole plots were contained within deer-proof fence or left unfenced and accessible to deer grazing. Plots were mechanically harvested in 1995 and 1996 when the alfalfa was in the early flower stage. Grazing intensity is not specified. Season of use is not specified.
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