In this study, the pre-grazing and post-grazing stubble heights, in rotationally grazed pastures, were modified to determine the effects of stubble height on individual species and total forage production in orchardgrass/Kentucky bluegrass dominated pastures. Orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata) constituted the largest portion of harvested herbage in both stubble heights. However, 79% more orchardgrass was harvested from tall pastures than short pastures, while stubble height did not seem to affect the amount of Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) and other grass species that were harvested. Harvest index, which relates total herbage production to harvested herbage, was generally higher in tall pastures than short pastures because more total herbage was produced and harvested in tall pastures. Therefore, although the differences in pre- and post-grazing stubble heights may have seemed insignificant in this study, the results suggest that they caused major changes in the production and harvest of forage on rotationally grazed pastures and that managing for taller stubble heights in the orchardgrass/bluegrass dominated pastures of the study area is beneficial.
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