Stocking rate, precipitation, and herbage production on sand sagebrush-grassland
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Authors: R. L. Gillen, and P. L. Sims
Date: 2004
Journal: Rangeland Ecology & Management
Volume: 57
Number: 2
Pages: 148-152
Summary of Methods: Gillen and Sims determined the impact of stocking rate on herbaceous production of a sand sagebrush (Artemisia filifolia)-grassland. Grasses contributed 89% of the total herbaceous production averaged over stocking rates and years, while forbs contributed 11%. Total production averaged 1,540, 1,470, and 1,450 kg/ha for stocking rates at 43, 57, and 85 AUD/ha, respectively. The results suggest that long term grazing cattle at the tested stocking rates would not affect annual production or species composition. Therefore, the authors conclude that continuous grazing is sustainable, in terms of pasture management, at stocking rates from 43 - 85 AUD/ha on sand-sagebrush grasslands however, they did not speculate on the economic sustainability of the given stocking rates.
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 intensity, mixed prairie, biomass, composition, sand sagebrush, artemisia filifolia, annual production
Annotation: For the 1941-1951 period, stocking rate treatments were 43, 57, and 85 AUD/ha on grazed pastures. From 1952-1961, the stocking rates were 45, 60, and 87 AUD/ha and grazed year-round.
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