Publication Date
1997
Description
Set stocking is a widely used grazing management for beef cow-calf production on Appalachian hill land pastures of the USA. A replicated study was conducted to compare a conventional (set stocking) and buffer grazing management. For the buffer system, grazing area was restricted in the spring and hay was harvested from the ungrazed area. In summer, a portion of this area (buffer) was grazed and a second cutting of hay removed from the remaining area. For the conventional treatment a fixed area was set stocked and hay was harvested on an area designated for hay only. Land areas and fertilizer (N) inputs were similar for both systems. The buffer management produced (P < 0.05) greater calf gain/ha (52 kg) due to an increased stocking rate and produced enough hay to supply 95% of winter feed needs, compared to 85% for the conventional system. An economic evaluation favored the buffer system with a $72.50/ha greater return.
Citation
Bryan, W B.; Prigge, E C.; Flaherty, D J.; and D'Souza, G E., "Buffer Grazing for a Twelve Month Cow-Calf Production System" (2024). IGC Proceedings (1993-2023). 44.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1997/session29/44
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Buffer Grazing for a Twelve Month Cow-Calf Production System
Set stocking is a widely used grazing management for beef cow-calf production on Appalachian hill land pastures of the USA. A replicated study was conducted to compare a conventional (set stocking) and buffer grazing management. For the buffer system, grazing area was restricted in the spring and hay was harvested from the ungrazed area. In summer, a portion of this area (buffer) was grazed and a second cutting of hay removed from the remaining area. For the conventional treatment a fixed area was set stocked and hay was harvested on an area designated for hay only. Land areas and fertilizer (N) inputs were similar for both systems. The buffer management produced (P < 0.05) greater calf gain/ha (52 kg) due to an increased stocking rate and produced enough hay to supply 95% of winter feed needs, compared to 85% for the conventional system. An economic evaluation favored the buffer system with a $72.50/ha greater return.
