Abstract
A study was intiated in May 1977 to examine the interaction of brush management and season on herbaceous production and composition,, chemical and botanical composition of cattle diets, and performance of lightweight steers in the Post Oak Savannah of east-central Texas. Grazing periods were conducted in fall 1977, summer 1978, and spring 1979. Seasonal grazing periods were terminated after 60% utilization of brownseed paspalum (Paspalum plicatulum) in fall 1977, and 50% utilization of little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) in summer 1978 and spring 1979. Brush management included: 1) bulldozing and piling of brush and small trees, 2) aerially applied, pelleted tebuthiuron at 2.2 kg/ha active ingredient, and 3) no treatment. Herbaceous forage availability was measured at the beginning and end of each seasonal grazing period. Herbaceous production and disappearance during grazing periods were determined by clipping adjacently paired, grazed and protected plots. Chemical and botanical composition of cow diets was acquired from esophageally-fistulated cows. Steer weights were recorded upon allocation and removal from pastures. ...
Kirby, Donald Raymond (1980). Herbaceous response and cattle diets following brush management in the Post Oak Savannah. Texas A&M University. Texas A&M University. Libraries. Available electronically from
https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /DISSERTATIONS -660684.