This study describes the effects of three consecutive years of experimentally controlled cattle grazing in a shrub steppe community of Washington, in relatively undisturbed condition, by comparing treatments (grazed) and control (ungrazed) pastures using measurements of plant biomass. When the steers were introduced to the pastures in April of each year they selectively grazed cusick bluegrass (Poa cusickii). Sandberg bluegrass (Poa sandbergii) was seldom grazed. The most palatable forb was hawk's berd, Crepis atrabarba. Bluebunch wheatgrass (Agropyron spicatum) was selected after cusick bluegrass shoots became depleted as a forage source and it provided the bulk of cattle forage in the remainder of the grazing season. Grazing removed one-half to two-thirds of the new shoot growth in the years 1971, 1972, and 1973, and the amount of standing dead grass declined under grazing. Excessive trampling destroyed and/or damaged perennial grasses, forbs, and shrubs, and bared the soil. These bared places were invaded by cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum).
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