Stocking Density Affects Diet Selection

On the Ground Stocking density is a powerful tool to manage grazing land resources, as demonstrated on prairie and pasture in Missouri. Utilizing different stock densities, we can achieve different goals, including affecting diet selection, weed and brush control, improving utilization and manure di...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Rangelands 2013-10, Vol.35 (5), p.62-66
Main Authors: Peterson, Doug, Brownlee, Mark, Kelley, Tim
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Cattle
Forage
Grazing
Grazing management
high stocking density
Livestock
livestock diet selection
mineral cycle
Pastures
Plants
Rangeland soils
soil health
Soil infiltration
Strategic Grazing Management for Complex Creative Systems
View Points
water cycle
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Summary:On the Ground Stocking density is a powerful tool to manage grazing land resources, as demonstrated on prairie and pasture in Missouri. Utilizing different stock densities, we can achieve different goals, including affecting diet selection, weed and brush control, improving utilization and manure distribution, and even improving seed-to-soil contact. We allow sufficient recovery periods between grazing events to increase plant diversity and develop as much above- and below-ground biomass as possible. During grazing periods we use stocking density to manipulate the amount of forage trampling that occurs. Trampling can have a very positive impact on water and mineral cycles, building soil and increasing fertility in our perennial grasslands. Stocking density is a powerful tool to manage grazing land resources, as demonstrated on prairie and pasture in Missouri. Utilizing different stock densities, we can achieve different goals, including affecting diet selection, weed and brush control, improving utilization and manure distribution, and even improving seed-to-soil contact. We allow sufficient recovery periods between grazing events to increase plant diversity and develop as much above- and below-ground biomass as possible. During grazing periods we use stocking density to manipulate the amount of forage trampling that occurs. Trampling can have a very positive impact on water and mineral cycles, building soil and increasing fertility in our perennial grasslands.
ISSN:0190-0528
1551-501X
DOI:10.2111/RANGELANDS-D-13-00020.1