Mob Grazing Results in High Forage Utilization and Reduced Western Snowberry Size

Authors

Heidi Reed, South Dakota State University
Sharon Clay, South Dakota State UniversityFollow
Alexander Smart, South Dakota State UniversityFollow
David Clay, South Dakota State UniversityFollow
Michelle Ohrtman, South Dakota State UniversityFollow

Document Type

Book Chapter

Publication Date

2019

Keywords

pasture management, grazing intensity, shrub control, forage grass production

Abstract

Mob-grazing strives to maximize forage utilization and minimize selective grazing by using high stocking densities in small paddocks for short durations (12–24 hr). Rotational-grazing uses low stocking densities for a longer time period, retaining about half of the original available forage; although selective grazing can occur. Three cattle (Bos taurus × Bos indicus) grazing intensities: mob- (stocking densities from 32,000 to 67,000 kg ha−1; duration—24 hr); rotation (stocking density—2500 kg ha−1; duration—35 d); and non-grazed systems were compared based on forage utilization and changes to western snowberry (Symphoricarpos occidentalis) (WS) patch volume in a 2-year South Dakota study. Pre- and post-grazing forage height was measured every 2.5 m along multiple 50-m transects with WS patch volume measured every 5 m. Forage utilization (consumed and trampled) ranged from 42 to 90% in mob-grazed areas, and harvest efficiency (forage consumed) ranged from 15 to 64%. WS patch volumes decreased by ≥45% in mob-grazed treatments compared with no change in rotational-grazing and increased cover in non-grazed areas. WS pre-graze patch size influenced mob-grazing impact; patches >6500 cm3 were browsed or trampled to a greater extent than smaller patches.

Publication Title

Forage Groups

Volume

Chapter 2

First Page

19

Last Page

33

DOI of Published Version

10.5772/intechopen.83402

Publisher

IntechOpen

Rights

© 2019 the Author(s)

Recommended Citation

Heidi Reed, Sharon Clay, Alexander Smart, David Clay and Michelle Ohrtman (January 30th 2019). Mob Grazing Results in High Forage Utilization and Reduced Western Snowberry Size, Forage Groups, Ricardo Loiola Edvan and Edson Mauro Santos, IntechOpen, DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.83402. Available from: https://www.intechopen.com/books/forage-groups/mob-grazing-results-in-high-forage-utilization-and-reduced-western-snowberry-size

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.

Comments

This is chapter 2 published in Forage Groups, edited by Ricardo Loiola Edvan and Edson Mauro Santos, IntechOpen, DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.83402.