Cattle were grazed at moderate and heavy stocking rates for 25 years to determine the long-term effects of these grazing intensities on forage quality and production in Texas grasslands. After 25 years of grazing, pastures grazed with the heavy stocking rates had less available forage but higher forage quality than pastures grazed with the moderate stocking rate. Species composition in heavily stocked pastures was tending to shift to a more shortgrass dominated pasture of lower range condition while the moderately stocked pasture was dominated by midgrasses and was in better range condition. The authors conclude that grazing at heavier stocking rates will cause range condition to deteriorate and eventually cause declines in animal performance and net profit, therefore stocking at moderate rates is recommended in Texas grasslands.
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