1. Rangeland Principles (Rem 151)
K. Launchbaugh
K. Launchbaugh
K. Launchbaugh
Grazing Management
Rangeland Principles (Rem 151)

2. Natural & Human Resources Grazing Management Decisions
Community Response
Climate
Topography
Veg. Community
Wildlife
Mgmt. Philosophy & Goals
Livestock Species
Stocking Rate
Grazing System
Vegetation Community
Livestock Production
Wildlife Community
Once grazing management decisions are made, there are continual interactions between livestock, wildlife, and vegetation.

3. Principles of Grazing Management1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6)

4. Principles of Grazing Management

5. Principles of Grazing Management
1) Know you resources and goals.
2) Balance animal demand with available forage supply.
3) Manage livestock distribution.
4) Avoid or minimize grazing during sensitive times.
5) Provide effective rest after grazing.
6) Monitor for change.

6. 1) Know your resources & goals
Land
Animal
Human
Economic
Environmental
K. Launchaugh

7. Objectives grazing could include:
Restoration of plant vigor
Allowing plants to produce seeds
Patchy or more uniform utilization
Increased animal production
Jen Peterson
K. Launchbaugh

8. 2) Balance supply with demand
= Stocking Rate

9. 3) Manage Livestock Distribution
How can we change where animals graze on the landscape?
Water
Salt?
Supplement
Herding
Fence
Livestock Selection/Training
Fire
K. Mink
T. Lester
water.usgs.gov
R. Holes

10. Mange Livestock Distribution
K. Launchbaugh
Where animals graze….
Some things we CAN’T change:
Forage
Weather
Aspect
Animal pests such as flies and mosquitoes
South facing hillsides when it is cold. North facing hillsides during the heat of the day.
Livestock will most to high ground to get away from flies and mosquitoes.

11. Manage Livestock Distribution
Where animals graze….
Some things we CAN change:
Distance to water
Type of animal to use topography
Enticements (supplements)
Encouragement (herding)
Disincentives (fences)
Etc.
South facing hillsides when it is cold. North facing hillsides during the heat of the day.
Livestock will most to high ground to get away from flies and mosquitoes.

12. Manage Livestock Distribution
Entice animals with water and supplement
Ranch Headquarters
Water tanks
Salt & Supplement
Perennial Stream
Map Legend
Area of Low Use
Area of Low Use
Change location of salt-mineral licks, place salt away from water in areas that grazing animals are avoiding.
Salt increases the appetite of a grass-eating animal.
Salt is not as effective as other attractants, such as water, and low-moisture molasses blocks, for luring cattle to graze underutilized areas.

13. How far animals graze from water depends on:
The Animal
Sheep > Cattle
Brangus > Angus Cattle
Young > Old
The Land
Rough country:~ 0.5 mile max
Rolling country: 1.0 mile max
Flat sandy country: ~ 1.5 mile max
Flat country: ~ 2.0 mile max
Recommended distances between watering points vary according to terrain, species of animals, and breed of livestock. Beyond 2 miles, we see very little use beyond these distances.
Where available watering points are infrequent, can create large sacrifice areas around watering points. Trails are created to water.
Nutrition benefits of range forage are nullified by high energy cost of travel. Lower calf weights.

14. Distribute Livestock Evenly
K. Mink
T. Lester
R. Holes

15. Animal Characteristics Matter
Species of Animal
Class of animal (age, sec, physiological status)
Natural Abilities(breed and genetics)
Topography
Climate
Foraging
K. Launchbaugh
Kind of animals: cattle, sheep, goat, horses, wildlife species.
Class of animals: reproductive (pregnant or open), age (mature or young), lactating or dry.
Black Angus, belted galloway: winter hardiness
Brahman: survive inadequate food and harsh weather.
Charolais: graze aggressively in warm weathr, withstand the cold, and have heavy calves.
Ray Holes

16. Animal Characteristics Matter
Slope use by cattle, feral horses, deer, and bighorn sheep
D Ganskopp, M Vavra - Northwest Science, 1987
Ganskopp & Vavra 1987

17. Animal Characteristics Matter
Diet preferences affect landscape use
Concentrate
Feeder (browse)
Intermediate Feeder (forbs)
Roughage
Feeder (grass)
K. Launchbaugh
K. Launchbaugh
K. Launchbaugh
Remember that animals eat differently and use the landscape different.

18. Improving Animal Distribution
Prescribed Burning
Livestock observations in 2,000 acre pasture showing distribution for 15 days pre-burn (2004) and the subsequent June (2005). – David Ganskopp – ARS Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center
Ganskopp study: in this study, the collared animals were hanging out near water and in the level areas of the landscape. The distribution really shifted after the burn.
Removal of previous years’ growth, greater access to new plant growth. Early spring fire can increase soil temperature, initial growth, improve forage quality, encourage earlier grazing.

19. Improving Animal Distribution
Fencing
Positive
Reduce highly used areas
Riparian areas
Restoration Plots
After Fir
High-value forage areas
Manage season of use
Allow rotational grazing systems
Negative
Expensive
Construct
Maintain
Restrict wildlife movement
FWS.gov

20. Virtual Fence?
K. Mink
T. Lester
R. Holes

21. 4) Minimize grazing during sensitive season
Potential Damage
Green-up Growth Initiation
Flowering/Seed Set
Dormancy
Potential Damage to Herbaceous Plants from Defoliation

22. 4) Minimize grazing during sensitive season
Potential Damage
Green-up Growth Initiation
Flowering/Seed Set
Dormancy
Low Demand Low biomass & low need for CHOs
Abundant Resources for recovery
time, moisture, nutrients temperature
Potential Damage to Herbaceous Plants from Defoliation
High Demand for energy and nutrients
Limited Resources for recovery
Very Low Demand

23. Timing of Grazing Effect of grazing varies according to: Season of Use
Phenological Stage of Plant
Opportunity for Regrowth
Remember how much attention you need to give to the timing of grazing.
Season of Use: plants are more resistant to intense grazing during dormancy than in active growth.
Phenological Stage of Plant: defoliation in spring when plants start growth may be less harmful than in fall when plants are flowering and maturing.
Opportunity for regrowth: will plants be able to produce new leaves and develop strong root systems prior to entering dormancy following defoliation?
Jen Peterson
Steve Bunting
K. Launchbaugh

24. When is grass sensitive to grazing?

25. 6) Monitor for change
Justin Trujillo
K. Launchbaugh

26. Pasture for control Reduce pasture size & increase animal density
Facilitate targeted grazing
Provide rest
Opportunities for restoration
Perhaps could do mob graze periodically to improve grazing utilization

27. A Good Grazing System Should…
Account for plant physiology and response
Be suited to kinds of plants present
Improve range conditions and production
Be adapted to soil conditions
Not be detrimental to animal gains
Be practical to implement in a ranching operation

28. Principles of Grazing Management
1) Know you resources and goals.
2) Balance animal demand with available forage supply.
3) Manage livestock distribution.
4) Avoid or minimize grazing during sensitive times.
5) Provide effective rest after grazing.
6) Monitor for change.

29. Rangeland Principles (Rem 151)
K. Launchbaugh
K. Launchbaugh
K. Launchbaugh
Grazing Management
Rangeland Principles (Rem 151)