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Title: Pasture growth and decomposition under continuous and rotational grazing

Author
item HENSLER, A - OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
item BARKER, D - OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
item SULE, R - OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
item LOERCH, S - OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
item Owens, Lloyd

Submitted to: American Forage and Grassland Council Conference Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/19/2007
Publication Date: 1/26/2008
Citation: Hensler, A.L., Barker, D.J., Sule, R.M., Loerch, S.C., Owens, L.B. 2008. Pasture growth and decomposition under continuous and rotational grazing [abstract]. American Forage and Grassland Council Conference Proceedings, January 26-31, 2008, Louisville, Kentucky. 2008 CD-ROM.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Past research has shown that grazing management can affect both pasture growth and litter decomposition. The objective of this study was to compare forage appearance (growth) and forage disappearance (decomposition) on both continuous and rotational grazed beef cattle pasture in Ohio. Data was collected from a grazing trial at the North Appalachian Experimental Watershed (NAEW) in Coshocton, Ohio. A total of 35 cow-calf pairs were distributed among the four pastures at approx. the same stocking rate, with two replicates per grazing treatment. Pasture biomass measurements were taken using a rising plate meter (RPM) every 5-8 days on each paddock beginning 21 June 2006 and 11 April 2007. Forage biomass was higher in CG during spring 2006, due to hay harvest from MIG, but was similar in 2007 when no hay was made due to drought. Botanical composition was measured twice in 2006 and also in 2007. In July 2007, pastures averaged 50-55% tall fescue, 27-30 % Kentucky bluegrass, 6-8% other grass, and 4% weeds, with 10% white clover in MIG and 6% in CG. Forage decomposition rate was measured twice during the grazing season for the green and dead components of the vegetation. After 4 wks, decomposition was similar for grazing treatments, but averaged 1.8 times greater for green than dead components. Cattle weight gain during the 2006 season, calculated from 28-d weighing, was 51.2 and 61.8 kg per cow for CG and MIG, respectively. The cattle on MIG were able to graze 17 d longer than for CG.