Date of Graduation

Summer 2009

Degree

Master of Natural and Applied Science in Agriculture

Department

College of Agriculture

Committee Chair

Gary Webb

Abstract

Some grazing methods can negatively affect water quality through increased phophorus runoff, causing eutrophication of surface water bodies. High stocking density and poor forage stands can increase these problems. Rotational grazing schemes have shown promise in increasing forage stands and vegetative buffers. There is little information available involving the effects of equine grazing on a rotational grazing scheme. During 2007 and 2008, cool season grasses were grazed by horses of light horse breeding to determine the effects of rotational and continuous grazing methods, during the summer growing season. Plate meter readings were taken to determine available forage, grass clippings were taken form a 0.0929 meter square area to determine dry matter and calibrate the plate meter. The rotational grazing system showed higher available forage between the two treatments (P < 0.01)for both years. However, year and interaction effects were not significant (P > 0.05).

Keywords

rotational grazing, grazing scheme, equine, cool season forage, plate meter

Subject Categories

Agriculture

Copyright

© Crystal Jean Duey

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