Grazing Management for Healthy Riparian Areas Authors: Gene Surber, MSU Extension Natural Resources Specialist Bob Ehrhart, Research Specialist, RWRP, Univ. of Montana

Introduction Addresses principles and techniques for grazing your riparian areas Each ranch operation is unique

General Principles for Grazing Livestock in Riparian Areas 1. Taylor your grazing approach 2. Incorporate into overall plan 3. Select a season of use 4. Limit livestock time 5. Influence livestock time 6. Ensure adequate vegetation cover 7. Provide adequate regrowth time & rest 8. Take an active management role

1. Taylor your grazing approach No cookbook solutions Specific riparian objectives Inventory Monitoring program

2. Incorporate into overall plan Dont neglect the majority of the ranch Consider impact of actions on riparian areas What you do in riparian areas my affect your uplands – vice versa

3. Select a season of use No one season is best Dependent upon Physical characteristics Condition Plant stage development Weather Types of animals

4. Limit livestock time Cow/Calf pairs spend a disproportionate amount of time near the creek Reduce time in riparian pastures

5. Influence livestock distribution Encourage cattle to move away from the stream Season of use Off-stream water

6. Ensure adequate vegetation cover How much Type Adequate – depends upon Location Spring runoff Wildlife use

7. Provide adequate regrowth time & rest Plants need rest for: Growth Seed development Storage of carbohydrates

8. Active management role On-the-ground observation Flexibility to changing conditions

Variety of techniques Appropriate season of use for grazing riparian areas Reducing intensity of use – distribution of livestock

Determining Season of Use The predicted response of different plant species; The grazing impact on plant communities; and The percent of soil moisture on the site.

Early season (spring) grazing Livestock attracted to uplands Cool temperatures Wet soils – may discourage use Coarse-textured, fine-grained soils

Hot-season (mid-summer) Closely monitor – limited duration Encourage livestock to move out Provide opportunity for regrowth Warm season species

Late Season (fall) grazing Herbaceous versus tree or shrub Cool season plant communities Off-stream water available

Winter Use Large pasture Drainages colder than uplands Frozen soil – to reduce compaction

Techniques: reduce intensity Influence distribution Alternate water

Influence livestock distribution Troughs dug into hillsides – covered with dirt Stable access points to water

Influence livestock distribution Side bars Gravel Simple bridge

Influence livestock distribution Placement of salt and minerals Improve upland forage

Influence livestock distribution Extended plant rest Riding

Influence livestock distribution Drift fences or other obstacles

Influence livestock distribution Turn-in location Small pastures Closer management control

Influence livestock distribution Fencing Restoration Protect streambanks Rehabilitation

Influence livestock distribution Permanent fencing No fence options Water gaps