Comparisons were made over a 4-year period between a 1-herd, 16-pasture short duration grazing (SDG) and continuous grazing (CG) on the Texas High Plains. Stocking rates were the same for both grazing systems during the first year (13.3ha/AUM), two times greater on SDG than CG during the second year, and 1.5 times greater on SDG than CG during the third and fourth years. Average daily gains (ADG) were the same for both grazing systems during the first year (0.33kg/day). When stocking was doubled on SDG the second year, steers on SDG gained 0.15kg/day compared to 0.25kg/day under CG. In the third and fourth years gains were similar for both systems. Standing crop of biomass on SDG fell below that on CG after 1 year of grazing. Standing crop was greater on SDG than CG in year two, but below CG in the third and fourth years of the study. Changes in species composition were the same for both grazing systems. Diet compositions varied between the two grazing systems. Overall, SDG did not improve animal performance, diet quality, or forage availability over CG when evaluated over four years.
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