Cattle Ranching in the “Wild Horse Desert” – Stocking Rate, Rainfall, and Forage Responses

Abstract

No research involving the comparative evaluation of grazing methods has been performed in South Texas at an operational scale. We report initial findings from a large-scale demonstration project involving two cattle stocking rates and two grazing methods; our focus was on forage standing crop and forage utilization responses. Erratic, but typical, rainfall patterns and resulting forage production proved our stocking rates (though realistic for this region) to be unsustainable over the long term, regardless of grazing method. The “Wild Horse Desert” is a harsh but resilient environment following periods of above average rainfall. © 2020 The Society for Range Management