Keywords
stocker cattle, prescribed fire, grazing
Abstract
Objective:Our objective was to document the effects of prescribed fire timing on yearling beef cattle performance, native plant composition, and forage biomass accumulation in the Kansas Flint Hills.
Study Description:Our study took place at the Kansas State Beef Stocker Unit located northwest of Manhattan, KS. Pastures were assigned to one of three prescribed burn treatments: early spring (April), mid-summer (August), or early fall (October). Treatments were applied and yearling heifers (n = 360) were subsequently grazed from May to August. Native plant composition and forage biomass were evaluated annually in late June and early July.
The Bottom Line:The first year of data from a six-year study indicated that prescribed fire timing affected stocker cattle performance and forage biomass availability but not basal cover of forage grasses and forbs.
Recommended Citation
Duncan, Z. M.; Tajchman, A. J.; Ramirez, M. P.; Lemmon, J.; Hollenbeck, W. R.; Blasi, D. A.; and Olson, K. C.
(2020)
"Effects of Prescribed Fire Timing on Stocker Cattle Performance, Native Plant Composition, Forage Biomass, and Root Carbohydrate Reserves in the Kansas Flint Hills: Year One of Six,"
Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports:
Vol. 6:
Iss.
2.
https://doi.org/10.4148/2378-5977.7884