A Stocking-Rate Guide for Beef Production on Blue-Grama Range

Abstract

A stocking-rate guide for cattle on blue-grama range was developed at Central Plains Experimental Range. The guide is based on the amount of herbage left ungrazed at the end of the summer season as it relates to gain per animal and gain per acre. Maximum dollar returns per acre from yearlings were obtained when 300 lb of air-dry herbage were left at the end of the season. The average optimum stocking rate was 2.6 acres/yearling month.