Summer Grazing and Fall Grazing Pressure Effects on Protein Content and Digestibility of Fall Range Diets

Authors

Trey Patterson, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Terry J. Klopfenstein, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Don C. Adams, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Walter H. Schacht, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Patrick E. Reece, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Jacqueline A. Musgrave, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Amy Herron, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Date of this Version

January 2001

Comments

Published in Nebraska Beef Cattle Report 2001, published by Agricultural Research Division, University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension, and Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

Abstract

In 1997 and in 1998, four blocks of Sandhills range were used to examine summer grazing time and fall grazing pressure effects on fall diet quality. Three pastures within each block were grazed in June, July, or deferred from summer grazing each year. Multiple grazing pressures were created by grazing cows at various stocking rates in the fall. Diets were collected by esophageally fistulated cows. In 1997, diet protein and digestibility declined with increasing grazing pressure. In 1998, there were no effects of grazing pressure on fall diet protein or digestibility. July grazing reduced fall diet protein compared to June grazing in 1997, and summer grazing reduced fall diet protein compared to no summer grazing in 1998.