Cattle Grazing Management on Pine-Wiregrass Range

Abstract

Wiregrass forage growing in developing pine stands may be grazed by cattle if certain precautions are taken to prevent trampling and browsing of the trees. Grazing pressure on pine seedlings may be reduced by providing adequate amounts of native and improved forage during the summer and by wintering cattle off the range. With combinations involving unburned range and young pine, cows averaged 84% calf crops with calves weighing 435 lb at 8 months old. Beneath older trees on burned range, calf crops were 86% with calves weighing 465 lb.