Cattle gains and vegetation measurements on Kansas shortgrass prairie under intensive-early stocking management were compared to season-long (SLS) grazing management at the normal stocking density, in this eight year study. Cattle average daily gains were highest on SLS and 2X-IES but gains per hectare were greatest on 3X-IES and lowest on SLS. This difference was due to the increased number of animals per hectare with reduced individual average daily gains under 3X-IES grazing. Species composition and biomass were stable under SLS and 2X-IES grazing while 3X-IES grazing reduced western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii) composition, increased buffalograss (Buchloe dactyloides) composition and decreased grass and total biomass. These results indicate that season long and double-stocked IES are essentially interchangeable, both in terms of vegetation and steer response. IES still provides two positive alternatives when integrated into total ranch management. These are: 1) mixing IES and SLS on different land areas reduces market variability risk by allowing marketing twice per year and 2) IES allows periods of rest for integrating range improvements that require rest without reducing livestock numbers or overstocking other land areas.
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