Cattle herbage utilization patterns under high-density rotational grazing in the Aspen Parkland
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Authors: S. A. Asamoah, E. W. Bork, B. D. Irving, M. A. Price, and R. J. Hudson
Date: 2003
Journal: Canadian Journal of Animal Science
Volume: 83
Number: 3
Pages: 541-550
Summary of Methods: The use of riparian meadows, upland grasslands, and forests by cattle grazed in a twice grazed high-density rotational grazing system (early season-stocking rate = 1.1 AUM/ha for 4 days, late season-stocking rate = 0.9 AUM/ha for 3 days) was examined in this study at the Alberta Kinsella Research Station (53� 01� N; 111� 34� W). Within the Aspen Parkland ecoregion and with the wagon wheel grazing system use was hypothesized that use would be similar among the three habitat types. Utilization and forage quality measurements were taken after each of grazing period.
Article Summary / Main Points: Cattle tended to use riparian areas, with their lush, crude protein-rich forage, before the other habitats. Of their total graminoid utilization (kg/ha), cattle consumed the most forage in riparian areas; riparian areas also produced more forage per unit area. Relative utilization of all three habitats was similar indicating that heifers grazed in proportion to available forage. As riparian area made up a small portion of the area of each paddock the majority of consumed forage was from upland meadows and forests. Heifers initially visited riparian areas more often than any other habitat type regardless of use date.
Vegetation Types: Other (includes Forest and Eastern) Riparian and Wetlands
MLRA Ecoregions: Not Applicable
Agrovoc Control Words: Riparian zones Rangelands Grazing
Article Review Type: Refereed
Article Type: Experimental Research
Keywords: aspen forest, cattle grazing, forage quality, herbage utilization, riparian meadow, rotational grazing, upland grassland
Annotation: This research is very relevant as it shows that across a diverse landscape, even though the amount of forage consumed is greatest within riparian meadows, all plant communities are grazed in similar proportions under this grazing system.
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