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High-performance short-duration and repeated-seasonal grazing systems: Effect on diets and performance of calves and lambs
Author
Volesky, J. D.
Lewis, J. K.
Butterfield, C. H.
Publisher
Society for Range Management
Publication Year
1990-07-01
Body

Diet composition, performance, and production of calves and lambs grazing in combination were contrasted between a repeated-seasonal (RSG) (May-Sept.) and a 16-subunit, 1-herd high-performance short-duration grazing (HPSDG) system during 1983 and 1984. Animal numbers were adjusted with put-and-take sets of livestock to attain planned forage use levels for each cycle in HPSDG and comparable end-of-season use levels in both treatments. Diet quality, as estimated from fecal nitrogen (N), was better (P<0.05) for the RSG livestock especially during the first 2 grazing periods. Similarity indices of lamb and calf diet composition indicated compatibility of the lamb and calf mix in both grazing systems treatments. Calves primarily selected western wheatgrass (Agropyron smithii Rydb.) and annual grasses and lambs selected buffalograss (Buchloe dactyloides [Nutt.] Engelm.) and blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis [H.B.K.] Lag. Ex Griffiths). Average daily gain (ADG) of RSG calves was greater in both 1983 and 1984 (0.52 and 0.68 kg/d) compared to HSPDG calves (0.39 and 0.62 kg/d, P<0.05). RSG lamb ADG (72.6 g/d) was greater in 1983 compared to HPSDG (45.4 g/d, P<0.05). Attained stocking rates were 35 and 25% higher in HPSDG during 1983 and 1984, respectively. Gain/ha, however, was greater for the HPSDG calves and combined livestock (calves + lambs) only during 1984 (P<0.05). This material was digitized as part of a cooperative project between the Society for Range Management and the University of Arizona Libraries. The Journal of Range Management archives are made available by the Society for Range Management and the University of Arizona Libraries. Contact lbry-journals@email.arizona.edu for further information. Migrated from OJS platform August 2020

Language
en
Resource Type
Text
Document Type
Journal Issue/Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
10.2307/3898923
Additional Information
Volesky, J. D., Lewis, J. K., & Butterfield, C. H. (1990). High-performance short-duration and repeated-seasonal grazing systems: Effect on diets and performance of calves and lambs. Journal of Range Management, 43(4), 310-315.
ISSN
0022-409X
OAI Identifier
oai:repository.arizona.edu:10150/644881
Journal Volume
43
Journal Number
4
Journal Pages
310-315
Collection
Rangeland Ecology & Management (REM)
Journal Name
Journal of Range Management
Keywords
mixed grazing
lambs
mixed pastures
controlled grazing
liveweight gain
calves
grazing trials
South Dakota
stocking rate
diets
botanical composition
feeding preferences