Dahl et al. compared forage yield and species composition changes under continuous versus short duration grazing management over an eight year study in Texas. By maintaining equivalent stocking rates among grazing treatments (except for the first year), any differences in vegetation response among treatments are likely due to grazing system and not stocking rate. During 8 years, species composition changed dramatically among years but little variation existed among grazing treatments, indicating that climatic variation had more influence on species composition in this study than grazing system. Likewise, standing crop of vegetation varied greatly among years but no difference in standing crop existed among grazing treatments. This study supports a growing body of research that shows stocking rate is more important than grazing system in managing natural rangelands. Nevertheless, the authors believe that continuous grazing has the least potential of any grazing system for increasing the abundance of desired plants on rangeland.
Citations and enhanced abstracts for journals articles and documents focused on rangeland ecology and management. RSIS is a collaboration between Montana State University, University of Idaho, and University of Wyoming.