Short-duration grazing: The facts in 1999

Abstract

During the 1980's short-duration grazing attracted much attention based on the claims it would accelerate range improvement while at the same time accommodating higher stocking rates. On many ranches it was contended that stocking rates could be doubled or even tripled while at the same time improving both range and livestock productivity. We will summarize present knowledge on short-duration grazing, focusing on a few recent studies that are fairly complete in terms of evaluating soil, vegetation, livestock, and financial responses over time and space. The managerial implications of these studies and their relevance to Savory's ideas will be given particular emphasis. Reviews of various grazing studies from Africa will be included in our discussion.