Range management Exam 3

Deferment

Delay grazing until seed maturity of key plant species

Rest

Delay for a full year

Rotation

Movement of livestock on a regular basis

How do you choose a system most useful

Terrain, wildlife, water distribution, percipitaiton distribution, timeing/condition of range, species

What needs to be correct in order to utilize a grazing system

Stocking rate

What is Continuous grazing

Ideal for drier climates and native grasslands, this system focuses on maximizing individual animal weight gain while reducing the need for frequent movement. It maintains moderate stocking levels (10–20% utilization) to preserve range productivity and condition. It also allows animals to graze a variety of species, so preferred plants are not overgrazed due to differences in grazing periods among species.

What is Deferred grazing

Over a 2–4 year period, each pasture is given a deferred grazing period. This system works best by allowing preferred plants and areas to maintain or regain vigor more effectively than other methods. It is especially effective when there are large differences in plant palatability or limited access to certain areas, and it compares well with continuous grazing.

What is the Merrill ¾ pasture?

Developed in Texas, this system works well in this region. It involves grazing for one year followed by a four-month rest period over a four-year cycle. It should only be expanded if there is one more pasture than the number of herds. It performs best where precipitation is evenly distributed throughout the year and growing seasons are long.

Seasonal-Suitablity Grazing

Partitioned into pastures based on vegetation types, including seeded pastures. Instead of controlling movement with fencing, water relocation is often used. This system works well in areas with large differences in vegetation, such as mountainous regions.

Best Pasture

Designed for areas where localized rainstorms cause forage production to vary over short distances (New Mexico and Arizona). The system involves moving animals to the pasture with the best seasonal growth, then returning to the previous grazing method.

Rest-rotation

Designed in the 1950s and 1960s, this system typically uses 3–4 pastures. One pasture is rested for a full year while the others absorb the grazing pressure. A key drawback is that the benefits of rest can be offset by heavier grazing on the remaining pastures, though this may still improve overall range condition.

It requires intensive management of fencing, water, salt, and livestock. With moderate stocking, livestock performance is not reduced. It is beneficial for wildlife and riparian areas and often receives greater public approval. Most failures occur under heavy stocking. It works well in mountainous areas or on flat desert and prairie sites, though other systems may be more effective.

High intensity - Low frequency

Uses high-intensity grazing for short periods, followed by longer rest periods than grazing time. It typically involves 3 or more pastures, with grazing periods of at least 2 weeks and rest periods of about 60 days.

This system forces livestock to use less palatable species, reducing competition for preferred plants. The extended rest period helps offset the effects of heavy grazing. It works well in flat, tall grass regions worldwide and can promote range improvement and increased grazing capacity

Short Duration Grazing: The Savory Method

Water and animal handling facilities are placed at the center of a “wagon wheel” layout, with at least 8 pastures of equal capacity (not size). Grazing is limited to a maximum of 5 days per pasture, followed by 4 or more weeks of rest, with more frequent movement during the active growing season.

The Savory Method with High animal numbers

Hoof action improves infiltration, increases nutrient cycling, and reduces selectivity. It also improves leaf area index (LAI), promotes more even range use, extends green period availability, and reduces ungrazed “wolf plants.”

The Savory Method: Challanges

Fencing costs are high, and it is not well-suited for arid climates, though animal handling is easier with central facilities. It works best in humid, flat grasslands with at least three months of active growth. There has been limited success in the U.S., making it a controversial method with mixed economic evaluations.

Grazing in riparian areas

Continuous grazing is considered a less effective option, while rest-rotation appears to be the most beneficial. On public lands, alternatives include removing livestock entirely, switching from cattle to sheep, and restricting access by both location and timing.

Multiple Use

Involving the use of rangelands for more than one use

Herbage residue

Maintaining residual vegetation might drive the 21st century of range management, protect carbon sequestration, and maintain esthetics on public lands