Seeded grasslands in northern Saskatchewan were fertilized or unfertilized, and grazed with continuous, 4-paddock or 6-paddock rotational grazing systems to determine if the grazing season in this area could be extended by using any of these management techniques. Available AUMs and length of grazing season was greatest under the 6-paddock rotational grazing system, intermediate under the 4-paddock rotational system, and lowest under continuous grazing. The increased grazing season length and increased gains per hectare under the rotational systems were probably a result of the increased quantity and quality of early spring forage provided by seeded crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum) and Russian wildrye (Psathyrostachys juncea). Based on the results of this study the authors recommend using a 6-paddock rotational grazing system on fertilized, crested wheatgrass seeded pastures to maximize the length of the grazing season in Saskatchewan grasslands.
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