Stocker cattle performance and vegetation response to intensive-early stocking of Cross Timbers rangeland.

Abstract

A 4-year study was conducted on Cross Timbers range in north-central Oklahoma. Conventional seasonlong grazing (SLS) of stocker cattle was compared to intensive-early season stocking (IES). Stocking density was increased 2-fold on the IES system but stocking rate was the same relative to SLS. Grazing treatments were applied in a manner that allowed each pasture to be grazed under each management system. Midseason standing crop of grazed residue was lower under IES but there was no difference in end-of-season standing crop. In July, tallgrass residue and forb residue were lower on IES pastures while residue of little bluestem and other grasses was not affected by grazing treatment. End-of-season standing crop of tallgrass residue was similar because of late-season regrowth under IES and continued defoliation under SLS. Distribution of utilization was not improved by IES. Cattle gains (kg/head) during the early-season were similar for both grazing programs. Total beef production was increased 19% by IES as a result of increased stocking density. Our results indicate that IES can be utilized to improve cattle production from Cross Timbers ranges.