Short duration versus continuous grazing on sand shinnery oak range

Two grazing systems, the continuous grazing system (CG) and the short duration grazing system (SDG, with an 18 pasture and a 36 pasture simulation) were established to test the stated benefits of increased forage production, quality, and range condition improvement under SDG versus the control CG. In 1983 and 1984, forage production and quality were monitored by clipping caged and supplemental uncaged plots. Fecal crude protein was also used as an indication of forage quality available to the animal. Forage and fecal percent moisture were measured and related to forage quality. Step point transects were used to evaluate species composition changes in 1980, 1983, and 1984. Rainfall data indicated drought situations with precipitation reduced by 50% during the primary growing season in 1983 and 1984 as compared to 1982.

Forage production for SDG had more production than the CG system in 1983, but this trend reversed in 1984. Forage quality overall in 1983 and 1984 in grass and forbs was essentially equal with some fluctuations noted in the forbs. Fecal quality was about the same among treatments within a year and between years. Forage moisture showed no difference between the systems. Fecal moisture in the SDG system was different from the CG system. Step point transects indicated a reduction of grass species for all treatments but no further encroachment of shrub species. Weather effects within a year and year to year, not treatment effects, seemed to cause the differences in forage production in 1983 and 1984 and loss of grass species from 1980 to 1984.