Effect of fertilization date and litter removal on grassland forage production

The effects of application dates of urea fertilizer and dormant-season removal of litter were examined on a bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicatum [Pursh] A. Love subsp. spicata)- Sandberg's bluegrass (Poa sandbergii Vasey) site in southern British Columbia. Forest grade urea, applied at 100 kg N/ha, increased the yield of both spring (53%) and summer (73%) forage compared to the unfertilized control. Spring forage production was not affected by the application date of urea. Summer forage yields, however, were 20% higher when urea was applied on snow-free (October and March) compared to snow-covered ground (November, January, and February). Dormant-season removal of litter reduced spring forage yields by different amounts (P