Impact of Strip-Grazing Stockpiled Annual/Cover Crop Forages on carrying Capacity and Animal Performance

Authors

Shelby L. Davies-Jenkins, University of Nebraska, Lincoln
Abigail Sartin, University of Nebraska, Lincoln
Devin Jakub, University of Nebraska, Lincoln
Zac Carlson, University of Nebraska, Lincoln
Erin Laborie, University of Nebraska, LincolnFollow
Jack Arterburn, University of Nebraska, Lincoln
Ben Beckman, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Brad Schnick, University of Nebraska, Lincoln
M. E. Drewnoski, University of Nebraska, LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

2024

Citation

2024 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report

UNL Beef, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Abstract

Annual forages/cover crops can be used to fill the fall/winter grazing gap, and strip grazing may increase carrying capacity by reducing trampling losses of the forage. The current experiment utilized a series of on-farm experiments across two growing seasons to compare continuous and strip grazing of various summer planted cover crops. Strip grazing increased carrying capacity by an average of 47 ± 15% and gain per acre by 44 ± 5% compared to continuous grazing although significant variability in the amount of increase was observed. This variability can likely be attributed to forage type (quality), frequency of moves, and forage allowance. Overall, strip grazing can be a valuable tool to increase carrying capacity when grazing summer planted cover crops during the fall and winter.