Comparison of Herbage Production on Moderately Grazed and Ungrazed Western Ranges

Abstract

The hypothesis that there is no difference in the total amount of herbage produced on moderately grazed and ungrazed Western ranges was proposed and rejected. It was rejected because published literature shows that annual herbage production averaged 68 +/- 46% higher when plots were protected from a moderate level of livestock grazing. Likewise, herbage production of individual plants averaged 59 +/- 50% higher when they were protected, rather than clipped at a moderate level of use.