The effects of various grazing intensities on weed populations were examined for both perennial and annual improved forage pastures at the Lacombe Research Center in Lacombe, Alberta. Perennial pastures were dominated by smooth brome or meadow brome and annual pastures were planted to winter triticale or a mixture of winter triticale and barley. Cultivation practices for the annual pastures stayed constant and were similar to accepted practices throughout the area. Pastures were grazed by yearling heifers to three intensity levels (overgrazing with soil surface exposed), medium (optimum forage productivity for the animals) and low (allowing the plants to reach head stage before grazing) within 24 hours. Weed species were identified and counted in one 2 x 2 m cell grid each spring and fall for the duration of the study. Available forage and residual forage were determined by clipping forage to a 2.5 cm height in a 25 x 100 cm plot before and after each paddock was grazed.
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