View Point: Stocking Density Affects Diet Selection

Abstract

On the Ground • Stocking density is a powerful tool to manage grazing land resources, as demonstrated on prairie and pasture in Missouri. • Utilizing different stock densities, we can achieve different goals, including affecting diet selection, weed and brush control, improving utilization and manure distribution, and even improving seed-tosoil contact. • We allow sufficient recovery periods between grazing events to increase plant diversity and develop as much above- and below-ground biomass as possible. • During grazing periods we use stocking density to manipulate the amount of forage trampling that occurs. • Trampling can have a very positive impact on water and mineral cycles, building soil and increasing fertility in our perennial grasslands.