EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT SYSTEMS OF GRAZING. 45 



Bouteloua gracilis and Andro-pogon furcatus are the most palatable 

 grasses, while Artemisia frigida is the least palatable of all species 

 of plants. Cattle do not like it and will not eat it unless forced 

 to do so because of the shortage of other feed. 



Xative pastures deteriorate when grazed because of (1) too early 

 grazing in the spring, (2) continuous grazing, and (3) overgrazing. 

 All of these factors can be controlled. 



The grazing capacity of the native vegetation of the area included 

 in these experiments is shown by the results in the several pastures. 

 The 100-acre pasture, grazed at the rate of one steer to 10 acres, is 

 larger than is necessary to produce the maximum gains per head. 

 This pasture is undergrazed. The 70-aere pasture, grazed at the 

 rate of one steer to 7 acres, provides approximately the area of land 

 required to produce the maximum gains per head under a system 

 of continuous grazing. The 50-acre pasture, grazed at the rate of 

 one steer to 5 acres, is not large enough to allow the cattle to make 

 maximum gains per head. This pasture is overgrazed. The 30-acre 

 pasture, grazed at the rate of one steer to 3 acres, is not large enough 

 to carry the cattle for five months. This pasture is severely over- 

 grazed. Under a system of deferred and rotation grazing the num- 

 ber of acres required per head is reduced to between 4 and 5. This 

 acreage will provide enough feed to allow the cattle to make gains 

 per head intermediate between those made in the 50-acre pasture 

 and those made in the 70-acre and 100-acre pastures. This system 

 allows the maximum utilization of the vegetation without the injury 

 to it accompanying overgrazing. 



