Abdel-Magid et al. used an artificial hoof to simulate 4 levels of trampling intensity typical of continuous and short duration grazing systems, on shortgrass prairie sods, maintained at varying levels of water stress under greenhouse conditions. Choice of grazing system did not affect water infiltration rates. Aboveground biomass production was 7% greater under trampling that simulated short-duration grazing, and 17% more forage remained in the standing crop under this treatment. About 38% more vegetation was detached by hoof action under simulated continuous grazing as compared with the short-duration grazing treatment. Under either system, greater water stress enabled hoof action to detach more living and dead plant material.
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