Sheep were grazed in Idaho fescue (Festuca idahoensis) fields that were infested with spotted knapweed (Centaurea maculosa) in Montana (45° 36' N; 111° 4' W), over the course of three years, to determine the plants’ response to grazing. Carbohydrate reserves, carbohydrate pools and plant biomass of both species were measured. Three, 0.1 ha pastures were grazed intensively three times during Idaho Fescue summer dormancy to minimize effects on the native grass. The spring following the second year of grazing, 30 grazed and 30 ungrazed plant of each species was collected (above and below ground biomass) to measure plant biomass and carbohydrate levels.
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