Kalmbacher and Martin determine the effects of clipping frequencies and fertilization on maidencane (Panicum hemitomon) forage production, quality, and mineral content in order to determine proper grazing management for this plant. In general, more frequent clipping enhanced forage quality and reduced forage production, tiller density and rhizome yield, especially in the second year of the experiment. Fertilizer was able to overcome the reduction in plant production and tiller density sometimes, but did not affect rhizome yield and in most cases the benefits of fertilizing maidencane plants were limited and depended on the clipping frequency. The authors suggest that a rotational grazing system, in which grazing cycles were repeated every 5-7 weeks, would be appropriate for maidencane plants and that applying fertilizer to grazed plants would not effectively increase yield or forage quality for grazing.
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