The practice of water-conservation methods such as terracing, contour tillage, and 
strip cropping benefitted pasturage yield to a measurable extent but showed no significant 
relation to grain yield. 
Stubble mulching, on the other hand, depressed yield of grain without affecting pas- 
ture yield. The value of stubble mulching may depend on its efficiency in preventing wind 
erosion and conserving moisture, factors which often compensate for a slight loss of 
yield. 
Total rainfall coming during the grazing period did not affect yield of pasturage but 
was very positively related to subsequent grain yield. However, excessive rain as indi- 
cated by a high weekly rate of rainfall during both preparatory period and grazing period 
reduced grain yield, yet affected pasturage yield during the preparatory period only. 
These reactions to wet and dry periods are best explained by the highly significant nega- 
tive simple correlation (-0.279) between rates of rainfall in the summer preparatory 
period and the following fall and winter grazing period. The fact that a wet summer was 
usually followed by a dry fall during this particular period of observation (1946-51) does 
not make this a permanent rule, but simply explains the moisture relations observed in 
this study. 
Initial amount of soil-stored water affected favorably the yields of both pasturage and 
grain. 
The most common planting date was about mid-September, just 1 month before the 
recognized most favorable date for grain yield. This reflects strongly the prevailing idea 
of early sowing to enhance pasturage. Extremes ranged between late August and early 
November. Statistical treatment showed no significant correlation between sowing date 
and pasturage yield, but long-time experiments which show late seeding within this range 
to be favorable to higher grain yields were confirmed. Therefore, early sowing does not 
enhance pasturage. 
Length of grazing period naturally was highly correlated with forage dry matter re- 
moved, but was significantly correlated to reduced grain yield. 
Finally, there was no significant dependence of grain yield on amount of pasturage 
taken from the fall and winter growth of wheat. 
It should be pointed out that these observations were obtained from average farmers 
operating in the manner to which they were accustomed; a manner which includes such 
practices as taking cattle off of muddy land and ending the grazing season before wheat 
joints begin to lengthen noticeably in the spring. 
The general conclusion from this study, covering a period in which wheat yields were 
a little better than average, is that grazing can be practiced with commonly accepted pre- 
cautions without harm to the land or substantial reduction of grain yield. Fall and winter 
grazing of wheat in the Southern Winter Wheat Regions, therefore, should be recognized 
as a productive practice. Its feasibility need not depend on conditions more difficult to 
satisfy than providing for necessary fencing and water. 
These statistics indicate that undue lengthening of the grazing period should be 
avoided. It was apparently not the amount of forage removed by grazing but length of time 
the grazing period was extended that reduced grain yields. 
Agriculture-Washington 
LAU 
