Winter Grazing can be Beneficial to Tall Fescue Seed Production in Oklahoma

Abstract

There is little information available about the effects of winter grazing on tall fescue seed production in Oklahoma and north Texas. Our objective was to determine the effects of winter grazing on tall fescue seed yield, seed yield components, and seed germination in this region. Four tall fescue entries were either grazed or remained un‐grazed during two growing seasons (2002‐2003 and 2003‐2004) near Burneyville, OK. Winter grazing lead to seed yield increases of as much as 380% under drought conditions in 2002‐2003 but did not affect seed yield in 2003‐2004. Winter grazing resulted in more seedheads/m2 in both growing seasons, and greater seed weight, seeds/m2, and germination in 2003‐2004. Winter grazing could be a viable component of tall fescue seed production systems in Oklahoma and north Texas, although drought can severely limit yields in some years.