Animal and plant response on renovated pastures in western Canada
-
-
Authors: D. H. McCartney, J. Waddington, and L. P. Lefkovitch
Date: 1999
Journal: Journal of Range Management
Volume: 52
Number: 1
Pages: 19-26
Summary of Methods: Seeded grasslands in northern Saskatchewan were fertilized or unfertilized, and grazed with continuous, 4-paddock or 6-paddock rotational grazing systems to determine if the grazing season in this area could be extended by using any of these management techniques. Available AUMs and length of grazing season was greatest under the 6-paddock rotational grazing system, intermediate under the 4-paddock rotational system, and lowest under continuous grazing. The increased grazing season length and increased gains per hectare under the rotational systems were probably a result of the increased quantity and quality of early spring forage provided by seeded crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum) and Russian wildrye (Psathyrostachys juncea). Based on the results of this study the authors recommend using a 6-paddock rotational grazing system on fertilized, crested wheatgrass seeded pastures to maximize the length of the grazing season in Saskatchewan grasslands.
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: bromegrass, bromus inermis, alfalfa, medicago sativa, crested wheatgrass, agropyron cristatum, russian wildrye, psathyrostachys juncea, bluegrass, poa pratensis, pasture management, rotational grazing, forage yield, fertilizer, pasture improvement
Annotation: Stocking rates were: Continuously grazed - 1.84 ha/cow-calf pair; 4-paddock rotation - 1.15 ha/cow-calf pair; and 6-paddock rotation - 1.18 ha/cow-calf pair.,The area was fenced to create 4-paddock and 6-paddock rotational grazing systems, each replicated 4 times, and the continuously grazed area replicated twice. Each paddock in the rotational system was approximately 8 ha, and the continuously grazed areas were each approximately 16 ha. Forage dry matter yield was estimated each year using the double sampling cage technique. Samples were harvested by clipping to about 5-cm stubble under the cage after cattle had been moved. Utilization ranged from 80-90%
-
Get article
Cite article with DOI
-