Short Duration Grazing at the Texas Experimental Range: Effects On Forage Quality

Variation in percent crude protein (% CP) of available forage was examined at the Texas Experimental Ranch as a function of grazing treatment, plant species, physiological age of plant tissue, and season. Results indicate that % CP content varied as much as function of physiological age of plant tissue as a function of plant species. Although quantity of crude protein of total standing crop averaged significantly more in an ungrazed treatment than in a short duration grazing treatment, % CP was generally greater in the grazed than the ungrazed treatment. It is suggested that an increase in quality of forage may be a primary mechanism facilitating energy flow through short duration grazing systems whereby dramatic increases in livestock carrying capacity may be realized.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 202