Researchers applied various timings and frequencies of simulated grazing to sand bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) and prairie sandreed (Calamovilfa longifolia) plants over three years, to determine initial and cumulative responses of these grasses to different grazing management techniques. Effects of defoliation effects after the first year were small but sometimes beneficial, dry matter yield varied by species, grazing frequency and precipitation levels and the number of buds and tillers were not affected. However, after three years of defoliation, dry matter yields of both plant species were reduced by treatments with three defoliations or a single August defoliation. Sand bluestem yield, tiller and bud numbers were maximized with a single June or July defoliation while yield, tiller and bud numbers of prairie sandreed were maximized with a twice yearly (June and August) defoliation frequency. Therefore, the authors suggested that grazing managers utilize pastures containing these species one time in June and that multiple defoliations within season were not recommended for long-term sustainability of these plant species.
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