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Superintendent
David Davis
21262 Genoa Road
Linneus, MO 64653
Phone: 660 895-5121
FAX: 660 895=5122
Email: DavisDK@missouri.edu

Project Summary

This five-year comparison of rotational and continuous grazing at four stocking rates produced many of the expected results. Almost all of the measured pasture parameters responded positively to rotational grazing across the range of stocking rates. Forage availability and forage quality were both significantly greater with rotational grazing. In spite of improved forage conditions, steer average daily gain was not improved with rotational grazing. Although steer ADG was not significantly different, steer ADG on rotationally grazed pastures was numerically greater than continuously grazed pastures at three of four stocking rates every year. If that trend were real, the improvement in ADG would be acceptable to many producers. Some reasons why differences in ADG were not any greater when prediction models based on forage supply and quality predicted greater differences include: 1) Cattle were weighed every 21 days and handling stress may have inhibited performance. 2) Continuously grazed cattle had full time access to shade while rotationally grazed cattle had little opportunity. 3) All pastures were managed on the same calendar rotation frequency and no attempt was made to actually balance animal demand and forage supply as would be done in a commercial operation.

One of the concerns of this study was whether rotational grazing would help maintain groundcover and maintain plant species diversity. At all stocking rates, total forage cover and legume content was better maintained by rotational grazing. While bare ground exposed increased significantly across the five year study period in continuously grazed pastures, it remained near constant in rotationally grazed pastures. It is important to note that the continuously grazed pastures used in this study began the five years in excellent condition. Most continuously grazed pastures in Missouri have been grazed in that manner for many years and do not carry as much ground cover as these pastures did. Soil characteristics under long term continuously grazed pastures are not likely to be as favorable as under these pastures.

Other than reiterating the many good things that rotational grazing can do for pasture, one of the principle findings of this study is that the vast majority of gain achieved by stocker operations occurs by mid-July. Leaving yearling cattle on mixed cool-season grass-legume pastures beyond mid-July is a lose-lose situation. Producers costs continue to accrue while the value of the animal declines. Pastures are grazed even more closely, reducing ground cover and leaving many species weakened going into the winter. A concerted outreach effort should be carried out to make cattle producers more aware of the benefits of early removal of stocker cattle from summer pastures. Removing cattle earlier is a clear win-win situation. Producers can reduce pasture costs per head and market cattle before the annual price cycle decline begins. Pastures are allowed to rest and greater ground cover and biodiversity can be maintained. Economic gain can also be realized from grazing the forage which is allowed to stockpile from midsummer until the end of the growing season.

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