14- vs. 42-paddock rotational grazing: Aboveground biomass dynamics, forage production, and harvest efficiency
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Authors: R. K. Heitschmidt, S. L. Dowhower, and J. W. Walker
Date: 1987
Journal: Journal of Range Management
Volume: 40
Number: 3
Pages: 216-223
Summary of Methods: Heitschmidt et al. measured vegetation dynamics in 14- and 42- paddock rotational grazing systems on Texas grasslands. During 1981, estimated aboveground net primary production (ANPP) in the two RG-14 paddocks averaged 4,088 kg/ha as compared to 5,762 in the single RG-14 paddock. Following subdivision, aboveground net primary production in the RG-14 paddocks averaged 2,533 kg/ha as compared to 2,670 kg/ha in the RG-42 paddocks Although ANPP varied among the 4 years of the study it was not affected by density treatment. Likewise, harvest efficiency varied among years but was unaffected by density treatment. Average harvest efficiency over the 4 years was about 42%, and aboveground biomass dynamics were generally not affected by density treatments.
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: stocking density, cell grazing, above-ground net primary production, growth dynamics, grazing system, rangeland productivity
Annotation: Initially the treatment consisted of 14 paddocks that averaged 33 ha in size. The treatment was stocked at a heavy rate of 3.7/cow/yr. Rate of stocking was constant until June 1984 when it was reduced to 5.2/cow/yr because of drought. ,Four permanent 0.25-ha study areas were located in 3 adjacent paddocks. Two plots were located in paddock M and 1 each in paddocks L and N. Location of the 2 study areas in the M paddock was such that when the paddock was subdivided into three, 10-ha paddocks in March 1982, the 2 study areas were then located in different paddocks (M1 and M2). The 10-ha paddocks hereafter are referred to as the RG-42 treatment and the 27-ha paddocks as the RG-14 treatment.
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