Forage and Cattle Responses to Different Grazing Intensities on Southern Pine Ridge

Abstract

Over a 10-year span, grazing intensities of 35, 49, and 57% use of the current year's growth did not affect total forage yields on southern pine range. However, yields started to decline when the young pines were about age 9. Calf crops were highest from cows grazing lightly and lowest with heavy stocking; calf weaning weights and daily gains did not differ because of stocking rates. Highest total returns per calf were received from cows grazing lightly. Greatest returns per acre were from herds grazing heavily.