The criteria used to determine the length of rest periods in pastures managed with rotational grazing were evaluated by Gillen and McNew, after pastures were clipped on different dates throughout the grazing season in this study. As clipping was delayed later in the season, total regrowth and max growth rate decreased but time to maximum regrowth and time to maximum growth rate were constant throughout the season. These results suggest that the length of rest periods will be the same throughout the growing season when pastures are rested until maximum growth rate is achieved, however, this will not allow adequate forage to accumulate later in the season because of the decline in regrowth as the season progresses. The authors suggested that determining the length of rest periods by the accumulation of forage in pastures following grazing would increase the length of rest periods later in the season and provide better management for tallgrass prairie pastures.
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