. Efficient use of annual plants on cattle ranges in the California foothills. Forage plants California; Grazing California. USE OF ANNUAL PLANTS IN CALIFORNIA FOOTHILLS 29. Figure 14.—Estimated annual production of air-dry herbage from grasses and grasslike plants per grazable acre, San Joaquin Experimental Range, 1936-48. winter. Grasses are the chief source of dry forage at that time of year. During the 13 years, 1936-48, the production by grasses and grasslike plants each year in pastures 1, 2, and 3 (fig. 14) was estimated from clipped samples, density records, and other field observation
. Efficient use of annual plants on cattle ranges in the California foothills. Forage plants California; Grazing California. USE OF ANNUAL PLANTS IN CALIFORNIA FOOTHILLS 29. Figure 14.—Estimated annual production of air-dry herbage from grasses and grasslike plants per grazable acre, San Joaquin Experimental Range, 1936-48. winter. Grasses are the chief source of dry forage at that time of year. During the 13 years, 1936-48, the production by grasses and grasslike plants each year in pastures 1, 2, and 3 (fig. 14) was estimated from clipped samples, density records, and other field observations. These records show that the yield of grasses and grasslike plants varied less than did total herbage production (fig. 13) up to and including 1946. Livestock adjustments based on variations in total herbage were sufficient in these first 11 years. After 1946, however, grass yields fluctuated more than total yields, presenting a more critical stocking problem. The proportion of grasses in the herbage was progressively lowered during the dry years after 1946. Filaree dominated the plant cover in 1947 and 1948; consequently, grass yields were lowered much more than total yields. By 1948 grass yields were only about 42 percent of the 13-year average. Under these condi- tions a greater amount of supplements was needed in the summer to balance the lower quality of the dry roughage, and hay was needed during the fall and winter, even though fewer livestock were grazed. Nevertheless, most fluctuations in individual species have relatively minor effects on range stocking. Observations on several important forage species bear out this conclusion. In years of high clover yields, for example, the herbage was considered of better forage value than in other years. However, in "good clover years" there is no shortage of forage and the problem may be to increase stocking. Again, because soft chess matures late, its growth and seed production depend on adequate late spring rains.
Size: 1767px × 1414px
Photo credit: © The Book Worm / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookpublisherwashingtondcusdeptofagriculture
