LAUSR

Funding information AnonymousPrivateDonor Abstract Continuous, season-long (May–August) grazing is the most commonly used grazing strategy among tall fescue [Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb.) Darbysh.] belt beef (Bos taurus) producers. However, little information is available regarding the feasibility of managing native warm-season grass (NWSG) pastures in this region with continuous, season-long grazing. We compared stand sustainability, beef cattle performance, and pasture production between continuous (CONT), season-long grazing and heavy-early (HEAVY), a modified continuous grazing strategy, on mixed-NWSG pastures. Heavy-early was designed to match the growth curve of NWSG, with an initial stocking target of 1.25 times the CONT density until 25 June, at which time stockingwas reduced to 0.75 times the CONT density. Pastures were mixed big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii Vitman), indiangrass [Sorghastrum nutans (L.) Nash], and little bluestem [Schizachyrium scoparium (Michx.)]. The plant population (plants m−2) was similar between treatments, but years differed (P < .001), with a 35% reduction from 2017, the third and final year of grazing, to 2018. Despite the decline in plant density, overall tiller density (tillers m−2) increased 14%, indicating that the grazing strategies were likely sustainable. The grazing strategies had similar (P> .05) average daily gain (ADG; kg d−1), animal-days ha−1, and total gain (kg ha−1). Weaned steer ADG was 0.98 kg d−1 for CONT and 0.89 kg d−1 for HEAVY. Total gain was 379 kg ha−1 for CONT and 334 kg ha−1 for HEAVY. Continuous grazing appears to be an appropriate strategy for managing NWSG pastures in the Fescue Belt.