Livestock & Wildlife Interaction

Interactions NegativePositive It Depends on….?

Potential Positive Impacts Proper management  Maintain water quality  Improve forage quality for wildlife  Manage habitat and cover for wildlife Increased wildlife populations NRCS photo

Potential Positive Impacts Water quality  Riparian and meadow communities considered critical habitat in temperate zones Available drinking water High quality forages  Livestock grazing can maintain water quality Light or moderate grazing = no impact

Potential Positive Impacts Improved Forage Quality  Small mammal & upland game birds Energy-rich seeds Vegetation Cover Forbs Grasshoppers

Potential Positive Impacts Improved Habitat  Grazing – patchy, mosaic pattern Feeding, nesting, and hiding sites Encouraged establishment of shrubs  Ground squirrels and small rodents Birds of prey  Selective grazing Create travel corridors Remove rank grass NRCS photo

Potential Negative Impacts Improper Grazing  Reduced nest sites for upland game and waterfowl  Decreased water quality  Trampled nests for waterfowl  Disturbed big game during fawning  Reduced cover that permits wildlife to hide from predators  Reduced native fish populations

Potential Negative Impacts Disease transmission  Animal health is important to agricultural industry and wildlife conservation

Properly Managed Grazing Create patchy habitat with high structural diversity. Open up dense vegetation canopies Reduce coarse grass & improve quality Stimulate browse production by reducing grass biomass Use livestock to manage weeds and fire risk Create bare ground for feeding, dusting, and display areas

“Irresponsible Grazing” Reduce nest sites for upland game birds & wildlife Trample nests Disturb big game during fawning Reduce wildlife hiding cover Reduce forage for ungulates Reduce floral diversity Attract predators, parasites, or disease

Effects of Ranches on Wildlife Water  Water sources for cattle provide water for wildlife. Fences  Can provide perches for birds, but also barriers of ungulates and low-flying birds. Large blocks of land  Areas without roads and development is generally good for wildlife. Weed control  Ranchers control weeds and benefit habitat. Disturbance  Ranching activities can disturb wildlife.

Grazing systems can: Use strategic rest or deferment to improve nesting cover Remove livestock from fawning areas to reduce disturbance Heavy stock in some pasture to create “weedy” patches Stocking other pastures with moderate rates to create high quality regrowth

Example: Ranching and Wildlife