Publication Date
1997
Description
The fescue prairie in southwestern Alberta is highly productive but susceptible to grazing during the growing season. This study examined how production stability is affected by grazing impact. It was initiated in 1949 using four fixed stocking rates (1.2, 1.6, 2.4, 4.8 animal-unitmonths ha-1). Forage and livestock production were estimated over 4 or 15 years, respectively. The coefficient of variation (CV) for either primary or secondary production was constant over all rates except for the very heavily stocked paddock. Forage production, and therefore livestock production, in that paddock was dependent on precipitation during the growing season. Heavy grazing pressure resulted in lost management opportunities and jeopardized sustainable production.
Citation
Willms, W D.; Dormaar, J F.; and King, J R., "Grazing Impacts on the Production Stability of Fescue Prairie" (2024). IGC Proceedings (1997-2023). 13.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1997/session23/13
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Grazing Impacts on the Production Stability of Fescue Prairie
The fescue prairie in southwestern Alberta is highly productive but susceptible to grazing during the growing season. This study examined how production stability is affected by grazing impact. It was initiated in 1949 using four fixed stocking rates (1.2, 1.6, 2.4, 4.8 animal-unitmonths ha-1). Forage and livestock production were estimated over 4 or 15 years, respectively. The coefficient of variation (CV) for either primary or secondary production was constant over all rates except for the very heavily stocked paddock. Forage production, and therefore livestock production, in that paddock was dependent on precipitation during the growing season. Heavy grazing pressure resulted in lost management opportunities and jeopardized sustainable production.
