Gillen and Sims determined the impact of stocking rate on herbaceous production of a sand sagebrush (Artemisia filifolia)-grassland. Grasses contributed 89% of the total herbaceous production averaged over stocking rates and years, while forbs contributed 11%. Total production averaged 1,540, 1,470, and 1,450 kg/ha for stocking rates at 43, 57, and 85 AUD/ha, respectively. The results suggest that long term grazing cattle at the tested stocking rates would not affect annual production or species composition. Therefore, the authors conclude that continuous grazing is sustainable, in terms of pasture management, at stocking rates from 43 - 85 AUD/ha on sand-sagebrush grasslands however, they did not speculate on the economic sustainability of the given stocking rates.
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