Influence of Grazing on Crude Protein Content of Blue Grama

Abstract

Grazing intensities of light, moderate, and heavy by cattle did not affect the protein content of blue grama herbage in northeastern Colorado. Crude protein content of live herbage changed with phenological development and with season, but no change occurred in dead herbage. During the early vegetative growth period, a high of 18% crude protein occurred in the plant tissues. Additional precipitation during the growing season did not appear to affect the content of protein in herbage.