Lecture 6-Grazing Response & Range Condition

Grazing Response-Decreaser

• Range forage species get classified according to their response to grazing

• Decreaser

• Native species that are grazing sensitive

• Reproduce by seed

• These plants dominate in healthy condition rangeland Ex: Rough Fescue, Green Needle Grass, Nuttalls Alkali Grass, Yellow Peavine

Grazing Response-Increaser

• Increaser

• Plants are also native but more grazing resistant

• Grazing tolerance is due to: Low growth habit, anti-quality structures, low growing points, short life cycle, extensive root system, delayed green up & growing point elevation

• Ex: Blue Grama Grass, June Grass, Tall Larkspur, Hairy Wild Ryegrass

Grazing Response- Invaders

• Invaders

• 2 types of plants: Annuals & Exotics/Agronomics/Tame

• Varies depending on quality & palpability

• Shouldn’t comprise more than 5% of annual production on healthy range condition

• Ex: Timothy, Smooth Bromegrass, Stinkweed, Downey Brome

How do we manage for maximum sustained yield?

• Involves balancing animal demand with plant recovery through rotational grazing, stocking rates & rest periods 1. Allow 40%-50% carryover following grazing(Take half, Leave Half) 2. Defer grazing in the spring and change order of pasture use 3. Need the plants to finish their lifecycle once every 3 years(regenerates plants) 4. Reduce frequency of grazing and reduce time that animals are on there

What are the Principles of Range Management?

1. Graze at the right stocking rate for the existing growing conditions & vegetation

2. Have an even distribution of livestock on each pasture

3. Graze at the optimum season & duration

4. Allow for rest periods for grassland community

What is Range Condition?

• Condition or health of rangeland refers to successional stage of the plant communities and productivity of sward

What are Range Condition Indicators?

1. Type of plants Forage Value, Origin(Native vs Agronomic) & Trends(Upward, Downward, Stable)

2. Condition of the key/major species Health, Age, Vigor & Density

3. Carryover & Litter Amount of leaves remaining & litter(dry matter ground cover)

4. Degree of cover and percent bare ground

5. Evidence of erosion(Wind & Water Action)

6. Soil properties(pH, Compaction, Fertility)

7. Manure accumulation

8. Rodent activity

9. Livestock performance

How do we use Range Condition Indicators?

• Incorporated into a score card where values can be assigned to indicators to give a condition

• Avoid making judgments based on sacrifice area, waterhole, gate, salty sites, pastures close to buildings

• Have to balance observations with heavily used areas, low lying places, lightly used high grounds

• Observe frequently to determine condition trends