1. Grass Growth and Response to Grazing

2. Importance of Grasses Grasses are the most abundant plant
Most of the energy and nutrients for livestock
Forage produces approx. 80% of the red meat consumed in the U.S.
Cheaper gain than concentrates
Utilize land not suited to crop production

3. Growth and Development
Tiller = growth unit of the grass plant producing roots and/or leaves
Vegetative tillers produce leaves
Reproductive tillers produce stem, seedhead, leaves and roots
Crown = basal area of stem where roots arise
produces new tillers

4. Vegetative Growth All leaves arise from the center of the stem
older leaves wrap around newer leaves
base of stem is thicker than top
growing point of all leaves is near the ground
protected from livestock
As leaves emerge, stem extends similar to a telescope
Leaves produce energy for self first, then other parts of the plant

5. Reproductive Growth
When vegetative growth is completed, reproductive growth begins
Produce, flower stalk (culm), and seedhead (inflorescence)
Grazing can remove reproductive portion of plant, thus seed production

6. Carbohydrate Reserves
Extra food is stored in the crown and roots
Needed for winter respiration and spring growth

7. Season of Growth
Grasses that grow in cooler time of year are called Cool Season plants
Early spring as soon as ground is thawed
High quality forage in spring, but poor growth in hot summer
May begin to grow again in fall

8. Season of Growth Warm Season Plants grow in hot summer
Utilize moisture better, can withstand drought better
Less digestible than cool season
Cool season plants are in reproductive stage when warm season plants begin growth
livestock will prefer new growth to old
prefer cool season plants if at the same stage of growth

9. Which pasture would be better? Warm Season or Cool Season
Actually a mixture of the two would provide new growth throughout the summer
More nutritious vegetation longer
Only seasonal use if only one type of plant

10. Factors Affecting Grass Response to Grazing
Frequency, Intensity, Season
Frequency is more important than intensity
Allow plants to build reserves and grow again before grazing (rest)
Continual grazing is more damaging