Comparative Utilization of Alfalfa-Bromegrass Pasture Under Rotational and Daily Strip Grazing

Abstract

During the pasture seasons of 1955, 1956, 1957, grazing on an alfalfa (Medicago falcata) - bromegrass (Bromus inermis) pasture was restricted so that milking dairy cows had equal opportunity to utilize the available herbage under the management systems imposed. This restriction precluded the expression of increased efficiency of herbage utilization as increased carrying capacity. Although rotationally grazed cows were more cyclic in milk production, rapidly declining in production as a paddock was depleted, animal production over the 3 years was comparable for the 2 systems.