Beef and Forage Production on Contour Furrowed Rangeland Interseeded with Alfalfa

Abstract

Over a 4-year period, average annual herbage production on native range was 603 kg/ha compared to 1,350 kg/ha on contour-furrowed range interseeded with alfalfa. Addition of 112 kg N/ha and 15 kg P/ha on furrowed, interseeded range increased herbage production to 1,658 kg/ha. Forage production on furrowed areas showed more variation in response to precipitation changes than did production on untreated rangeland. Differences in rate of gain by yearling cattle were small in most years, indicating beef production varied largely as a function of stocking rate. Total beef production over a 5-year period was 113 kg/ha on the control, 217 kg/ha on contour-furrowed range with alfalfa interseeded, and 236 kg/ha on furrowed, interseeded range receiving fertilizer. Observations on management of furrowed, interseeded areas were made.