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Rotation and Continuous Grazing on Irrigated Pasture Using Beef Steers

University of California, Davis, California

Abstract

Rotational grazing (six-fields) was compared with continuous grazing on irrigated pasture in a 3-year study using beef steers. Both systems included medium and heavy stocking rates within a "normal" grazing season, plus medium stocking during an extended grazing season. Some supplemental feeding with alfalfa hay was necessary under continuous grazing, but not under rotational grazing.

Rotational grazing was better than, or equal to, continuous grazing in animal days grazing and liveweight gain per hectare at heavy stocking rates. Except at the heavy stocking rate continuous grazing was better than, or equal to, rotational grazing when liveweight gain per hectare, liveweight gain per hectare per animal day and energy gain per hectare were considered.

Shifts in botanical composition occurred as a result of grazing management, generally toward a predominance of grass. The highest proportion of legumes was maintained in the sward under continuous grazing over an extended season.

Monthly nitrogen fertilization was not justified for a continuously-grazed irrigated pasture.

¹ Department of Animal Husbandry.

² Department of Agronomy.