Kansas cattle producers that use intensive, early stocking techniques on big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) prairies may also be able to graze cattle during winter months to reduce production costs associated with winter feeding. In this study, biomass production and carbohydrate reserves of big bluestem plants were measured after simulated winter grazing to determine if this grazing use would negatively affect forage during the early grazing season for livestock production. Two years of simulated winter grazing from October to April did not decrease forage production or carbohydrate reserves during the intensive early stocking period, indicating that Kansas cattle producers can also utilize their pastures for winter grazing to reduce feeding costs. However, the authors cautioned that removing cattle from pastures in July and delaying winter grazing until October is critical to allow for recovery of big bluestem plants each year.
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