Livestock response to rest-rotation, deferred-rotation, or continuous grazing systems on forested rangeland (Bos taurus, Ovis aries)

A 6-yr study was conducted to evaluate the influence of rest-rotation, deferred-rotation, and continuous grazing on the performance of cow-calf ( Bos taurus) and ewe-lamb (Ovis aries) units on mountain rangeland. Treatments were arranged in a three grazing method by 6 yr factorial arrangement using a randomized-complete block design with three blocks. Significance was interpreted at P < 0.05 for all tests. Average daily gain was greater for calves, lambs, and ewes that grazed continuously or under deferred-rotation than under rest-rotation grazing. Cows gained more in continuous pastures than in deferred- or rest-rotation pastures. Change in body condition by cows was similar among grazing treatments. Calves, lambs, and ewes gained more per ha in continuous and deferred-rotation pastures than in rest-rotation pastures. Cows gained more per ha in continuous than rest-rotation pastures. Rest-rotation grazing resulted in reduced animal production per ha and weaning weights of calves and lambs.