This study in the Southern Great Plains looked at grazing duration effects on winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) and grain yield. Growth and grain yield responses to grazing duration were statistically similar for all growing seasons. Compared to the grain-only treatment, wheat grazed until 1 February averaged lower leaf area index, biomass, and mean tiller weight at heading. In contrast, tiller density at heading was not reduced in the grazed wheat. Based on appearance, the grain-only treatment had superior grain yield potential every year. As the data show, grain yield of the grazed wheat was also high if grazing was terminated early. A greater duration of spring grazing always reduced grain yield. Grazing until 6 March or later appeared to reduce grain yield by limiting leaf area index and biomass in the spring. The earliest obvious upward extension of the spike (elongation of the first internode) for 1 February termination occurred during the first half of March. If grazing was continued past this point, then early reproductive development was substantially delayed.
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