Forage availability from a temperate pasture managed with intensive rotational grazing
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Authors: V. R. Kanneganti, and S. R. Kaffka
Date: 1995
Journal: Grass and Forage Science
Volume: 50
Number: 1
Pages: 55-62
Summary of Methods: Kanneganti and Kaffka tested forage availability for daily intake throughout the grazing season with intensive grazing rotation management. Data was collected on herbage dry matter, botanical composition, and forage quality. When averaged over rotations for the first year 1400 kg DM per ha of herbage was available per rotation. In the second two years, when rainfall was lower, herbage available declined after June to 975 and 490 kg per ha for the two years, respectively. The dominant species in all years was Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis), varying between 35 and 70% of the total pasture mass. White clover (Trifolium repens) comprised an average of 13% of the herbage, and dead matter varied during the season, beginning near 8% and ending near 25%. Species other than bluegrass and clover comprised an average of 15% of the herbage. The authors conclude that with sufficient moisture, pastures can be productive under intensive grazing rotation.
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: forage productivity, rotational grazing, kentucky bluegrass, poa pratensis, species composition, pasture growth rates
Annotation: The pasture was divided into 11 paddocks, each measuring 0.4 ha. The paddocks were managed by intensive rotational grazing. Holstein heifers were used for grazing. The pasture was mown to a height of 12-cm immediately after grazing, 2 or 3 times per year during spring and summer to control weeds. As part of the autumn management, grazing was continued into October until the average sward height was reduced to about 6-cm. 3 paddocks were selected at random for forage sampling and 8 quadrats were harvested at random from every paddock. Forage in each quadrat was cut, leaving ~3-cm stubble. Pasture was grazed when the compressed sward height reached 12 to 16-cm, and animals were allowed to graze until the compressed height declined to 4-7-cm.
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