Patch burning on tall-grass native prairie does not negatively affect stocker performance or pasture composition

The purpose of this study was to determine stocker BW gain on patch-burned native tall-grass prairie while also determining plant species influenced by fire. The study was conducted in a split-block experimental design where treatments consisted of a yearly spring burn on the pastures (CON) or patch burning of one-third pasture per year (PB). Stocker steers grazed the pastures using a three-quarter-season (~114 d) grazing period from about mid-April to mid-August from 2006 to 2012. Steer ADG, final weight, and total BW gain were not different by treatment (P > 0.35). However, when comparing treatment effects with precipitation classification (high, average, low), cattle on PB had a greater ADG (P = 0.02; 0.10 kg/d), final weight (P = 0.07; 12 kg), and total BW gain (P = 0.02; 11.8 kg) in low precipitation years (2011 and 2012). Overall, patch burning provides similar BW gains as yearly burning on native tall-grass prairie, while providing a BW gain advantage in low precipitation years. The switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) population declined (P < 0.05) on CON treatment, whereas the population of other perennial grasses increased. The amount of annual grasses, including hairy crabgrass (Digitaria sanguinalis) and yellow foxtail (Setaria pumila), increased (P < 0.05) under PB. Botanical composition shifts were similar on patch-burn pastures and full-burn pastures, with the exception of increasing annual grasses with patch burning.