Gillen et al. compared a season-long and a two-pasture deferred rotation system to determine the differences in intensity and pattern of cattle use. In the riparian meadows, under both grazing treatments, final stubble heights were rarely over 5 cm and often less than 2.5 cm, indicating over utilization of these areas. Gillen et al. state that early and continuous grazing appeared to be the most detrimental to the riparian meadow plants. However, early season grazing, compared to continuous, decreased cattle occupation on the meadows. Cattle occupation of riparian meadows was greater during the afternoon hours. The seasonal pattern of cattle occupation was influenced by the location where cattle entered a pasture but not by seasonal temperatures. Temperature and the temperature-humidity index did not differ between riparian and upland plant communities between 12:00 noon and 6:00 pm.
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