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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Madison, Wisconsin » U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #84371
Title: SEASONAL DISTRIBUTION OF FORAGE YIELD FROM A NATURAL PASTURE UNDER ROTATIONAL GRAZING

Author
item KANNEGANTI, V - UNIV OF WISCONSIN-MADISON
item DHIMAN, TILAK - UNIV OF WISCONSIN-MADISON
item Walgenbach, Richard
item Massingill, Lee
item Russelle, Michael
item Satter, Larry

Submitted to: Grassland International Congress Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/12/1997
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: A 2-yr grazing study was conducted to quantify forage available daily for cattle intake from a natural pasture managed under rotational grazing. Grazing was initiated around 5/1 and was managed with a rotation length of about 17 d each for cycles 1 and 2, and 30 d each for the rest. In 1994, under adequate moisture conditions, forage availability during 5/1-6/1, 6/1 18/15, 8/15-9/15, and 9/15-10/15 was 77, 66, 38 and 14 kg DM ha**-1 d**-1, respectively, resulting in a total yield of 8580 kg ha**-1 in 175 d. In 1995, a prolonged period of dry summer reduced the grazing season to 150 d. Forage supply dropped to 46 kg ha**-1 d**-1 during 6/1-8/15. Natural pastures in north central U.S. have the potential to provide significant amounts of forage for 5-6 months in a year under rotational grazing, but additional feed may be needed for a month or two during periods of stress.