Contrasting Responses of Squirreltail and Needleandthread to Herbage Removal

Abstract

Clipping squirreltail and needleandthread from preseed formation to postseed formation affected herbage yields least at seed cast. After seed cast during summer months, clipping damaged squirreltail mildly, but damaged needleandthread seriously. Squirreltail became dormant in July, so it resisted serious damage by clipping after that time. By contrast, needleandthread did not become dormant at any time in summer so it did not resist serious damage. If plants are dormant, grazing may not be very harmful to them regardless of the stage of plant development. On the other hand, if the plants are not dormant, rest from grazing when temperatures are high might be more desirable than rest from grazing during seed formation.