Short Duration Grazing at the Texas Experimental Ranch: Effects on Aboveground Net Primary Production and Seasonal Growth Dynamics

Abstract

The effects of short duration grazing on aboveground net primary productivity (ANPP) and seasonal growth dynamics were evaluated. Total ANPP was estimated to be 234 g/m2 in 1978 in the ungrazed control plot as compared to 330 g/m2 in the grazed treatment plot. ANPP estimates in 1979 were 352 and 268 g/m2 in the ungrazed and grazed treatments, respectively. Close examination of growth dynamics suggest that under certain environmental conditions grazing accelerated vegetative growth.