Shortgrass range vegetation and steer growth response to intensive early stocking
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Authors: K. C. Olson, J. R. Brethour, and J. L. Launchbaugh
Date: 1993
Journal: Journal of Range Management
Volume: 46
Number: 2
Pages: 127-132
Summary of Methods: Cattle gains and vegetation measurements on Kansas shortgrass prairie under intensive-early stocking management were compared to season-long (SLS) grazing management at the normal stocking density, in this eight year study. Cattle average daily gains were highest on SLS and 2X-IES but gains per hectare were greatest on 3X-IES and lowest on SLS. This difference was due to the increased number of animals per hectare with reduced individual average daily gains under 3X-IES grazing. Species composition and biomass were stable under SLS and 2X-IES grazing while 3X-IES grazing reduced western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii) composition, increased buffalograss (Buchloe dactyloides) composition and decreased grass and total biomass. These results indicate that season long and double-stocked IES are essentially interchangeable, both in terms of vegetation and steer response. IES still provides two positive alternatives when integrated into total ranch management. These are: 1) mixing IES and SLS on different land areas reduces market variability risk by allowing marketing twice per year and 2) IES allows periods of rest for integrating range improvements that require rest without reducing livestock numbers or overstocking other land areas.
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: grazing system, native range, beef cattle, stockers, weight gain, species composition
Annotation: 3 grazing treatments were: the control was season-long grazing stocked at 1.4 ha per steer for 5 month grazing season, based on previous research indicating that this stocking rate was sustainable. The other 2 treatments at 2 stocking densities, 0.7 ha per steer for 2X-IES and 0.5 ha per steer for 3X-IES for a 2.5 month grazing season May-July 15). Double-stocked IES (2X-IES) yielded an equal stocking rate to season-long (0.4 ha/AUM) and 3X-IES yielded a stocking rate of 0.3 ha/AUM. In October, forbs, grasses, and sedges were clipped from the plots.
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