Stocker cattle performance and vegetation response to intensive-early stocking of Cross Timbers rangeland
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Authors: F. T. McCollum, R. L. Gillen, D. M. Engle, and G. W. Horn
Date: 1990
Journal: Journal of Range Management
Volume: 43
Number: 2
Pages: 99-103
Summary of Methods: McCollum et al. measured vegetation composition on pastures managed with season long grazing (April-September) or intensive-early stocking (April-July) to determine which grazing system was more beneficial in Oklahoma pastures. Intensive early stocking management decreased standing crop in mid-season but did not effect end of season standing crop. Composition of pastures varied slightly by grazing system. Pastures managed with season long grazing tended to decrease tallgrasses that were preferred in the late grazing season, whereas intensive early season grazing reduced the composition of tallgrass and forb species in mid-season but did not effect end-of season composition. These results and livestock production data suggest that intensive-early stocking may be economically and vegetatively beneficial on Oklahoma pastures when compared to season long grazing management.
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: oak-hickory forest, intensive stocking, weight gain, forage utilization, standing crop, cattle production, grazing system
Annotation: Season-long stocking is defined as continuous grazing from late-April until late-September at a recommended moderate stocking rate. Intensive-early stocking is defined as continuous grazing from late April until mid-July at a stock density twice that of season-long but at a stocking rate similar to season-long. Standing crop was measured on 10 of the 30 points by clipping herbage to ground level inside 4 quadrats per point.
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