Abstract
A study was made in the rough fescue grasslands of southwestern Alberta to determine the growth response of rough fescue (Festuca scabrella var. campestris Rydb.) to five cutting frequencies and three cutting heights after 3 years of repeated treatments. The same plants were cut either 1, 2, 4, 8, or 16 times over a 16-week period beginning in mid-May, at 16-, 8-, 4-, 2-, or 1-week intervals, respectively, and at heights of either 5, 10, or 15 cm above ground level. After 3 years of repeated treatment, dry matter yields, etiolated growth, tiller height, tiller number, and growth rate decreased with increased cutting frequency and decreased cutting height. A single harvest at the end of August, cut at a height of 15 cm, produced yields that were similar to previously undisturbed plants. This treatment also produced the maximum sustainable forage yields. The study confirms the high susceptibility of rough fescue to grazing during the growing season and indicates that optimum management should include dormant-season grazing. Key words: defoliation, forage yield, regrowth, etiolated growth, tillers.
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