Short-duration grazing on irrigated pasture

Abstract

First-year results are now available in a long-term study of the popular short-duration grazing system, also known as controlled or intensive grazing, under way at the UC Sierra Foothill Range Field Station. The 1988 experiment compared two grazing intensities in an eight-paddock rotation with 3-day grazing and 21-day forage regrowth intervals. A stocking rate predictor was developed based on plant height, and a close relationship was found between heifer weight gains per acre and amount of forage removed.