Grazing and Oak Trees Glenn Nader University of California Livestock & Natural Resources FA

Grazing Acorns Acorns Foliage (When leafed out) Foliage (When leafed out) Tree bark Tree bark Species Species Deer, Horses, Goats, Cattle, Sheep, gophers Deer, Horses, Goats, Cattle, Sheep, gophers

Grazing Impacts Depend on Timing (time of year) Timing (time of year) Intensity (acres per animal) Intensity (acres per animal) Dry matter Dry matter

Time of Year Winter – oaks are leafless and green grass Winter – oaks are leafless and green grass Spring – light graze Spring – light graze Summer – Protein and DE (biofeedback) Summer – Protein and DE (biofeedback) Fall - Protein and DE (leaf and acorns) Fall - Protein and DE (leaf and acorns) Rubbing on smaller trees 6.5 ft. Rubbing on smaller trees 6.5 ft. Tree Shelters Tree Shelters

Intensity and Duration Available forage –limited dry matter Available forage –limited dry matter Space for horses Space for horses Trampling Trampling 10 to 20 acres per cow 10 to 20 acres per cow

Grazing Benefits Remove annual grass competition Remove annual grass competition Sunlight Sunlight Water Water Decrease vole habitat (52% vs 0) Decrease vole habitat (52% vs 0)

Restoration with Grazing Light spring grazing Light spring grazing Tree Shelters with T posts Tree Shelters with T posts Plant away from Plant away from livestock water sources livestock water sources Salt or supplements Salt or supplements Flat areas Flat areas

Winter feeding Horses Dry matter (Alfalfa verse oat hay) Dry matter (Alfalfa verse oat hay) Boredom from confinement Boredom from confinement raccoon to volley or basket balls raccoon to volley or basket balls Netting wire around trees Netting wire around trees