Publication Date
1997
Description
A hydrologic-based forage production model, PHYGROW, was used to simulate forage production and carrying capacity of a subtropical shrubland complex of over 34 species grazed by various ratios of cattle and goats with a population of indigenous white-tailed deer over a 20-yr simulated weather profile. The diet selection algorithm allowed the three animal populations to selectively graze preferred foods based on preferences of plant species, plant parts, and live:dead status by phenological stage. A level of maximum utilization of key species was specified. An incremental analysis of cattle:goat demand ratio was analyzed to determine how different combinations of livestock were impacted by variation in weather. Goats were less sensitive to rainfall variation with a greater frequency of severe reductions in numbers of cattle.
Citation
Stuth, J W.; Conner, J R.; Hamilton, W T.; and Schmitt, D M., "Application of the Phygrow Forage Production- Runoff Model for Regional Stocking Analysis" (2024). IGC Proceedings (1997-2023). 9.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1997/session26/9
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Application of the Phygrow Forage Production- Runoff Model for Regional Stocking Analysis
A hydrologic-based forage production model, PHYGROW, was used to simulate forage production and carrying capacity of a subtropical shrubland complex of over 34 species grazed by various ratios of cattle and goats with a population of indigenous white-tailed deer over a 20-yr simulated weather profile. The diet selection algorithm allowed the three animal populations to selectively graze preferred foods based on preferences of plant species, plant parts, and live:dead status by phenological stage. A level of maximum utilization of key species was specified. An incremental analysis of cattle:goat demand ratio was analyzed to determine how different combinations of livestock were impacted by variation in weather. Goats were less sensitive to rainfall variation with a greater frequency of severe reductions in numbers of cattle.
