Herbaceous production, utilization, percent cover and species composition were compared for three grazing systems (continuous, rotationally deferred, short-duration rotation) at two stocking rates (moderate, heavy) for 6 years. Basal cover of litter and bare ground responded to stocking rate or grazing systems, but basal cover of vegetation was affected only by years. The 3 grazing systems did not affect steer gains differentially when compared at the same stocking rates under proper management. In 1982 and 1983, the steers on the short-duration rotation were properly managed. With improved rotation management based on forage supply and growth rate in 1984-1987, the steers on the short-duration rotation systems gained at the same rate as those on the other systems at the same grazing pressure. Utilization tended to be higher at the heavy stocking rate while average daily gains were decreased. In general, using grazing systems may allow short term increases in stocking rate, and therefore increases in net profit, without reducing forage production or species composition, however, the authors caution that long term increases in stocking rates may not be sustainable and may cause range condition to decline.
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