Rangeland Ecology & Management

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Forage availability from a temperate pasture managed with intensive rotational grazing
Author
Kanneganti, V. R., S. R. Kaffka
Publication Year
1969
Body

Kanneganti and Kaffka tested forage availability for daily intake throughout the grazing season with intensive grazing rotation management. Data was collected on herbage dry matter, botanical composition, and forage quality. When averaged over rotations for the first year 1400 kg DM per ha of herbage was available per rotation. In the second two years, when rainfall was lower, herbage available declined after June to 975 and 490 kg per ha for the two years, respectively. The dominant species in all years was Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis), varying between 35 and 70% of the total pasture mass. White clover (Trifolium repens) comprised an average of 13% of the herbage, and dead matter varied during the season, beginning near 8% and ending near 25%. Species other than bluegrass and clover comprised an average of 15% of the herbage. The authors conclude that with sufficient moisture, pastures can be productive under intensive grazing rotation.

Language
en
Keywords
rotational grazing
Kentucky bluegrass
Poa pratensis
forage productivity
pasture growth rates
species composition
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