Short Duration Grazing at the Texas Experimental Ranch: Effects on Aboveground Net Primary Production and Seasonal Growth Dynamics

Abstract
The effects of short duration [livestock] grazing on aboveground net primary productivity (ANPP) and seasonal growth dynamics were evaluated. Total ANPP was estimated to be 234 g/m2 in 1978 in the ungrazed control plot as compared to 330 g/m2 in the grazed treatment plot. ANPP estimates in 1979 were 352 and 268 g/m2 in the ungrazed and grazed treatments, respectively. Close examination of growth dynamics suggest that under certain environmental conditions grazing accelerated vegetative growth.