^^O GRAZING CAPACITY AND PASTURE INSPECTION 



The chief objection to the above methods of deriving grazing- 

 capacity estimates is that the grazing values of the different 

 types of forage were not strictly taken into account. For this 

 reason the figures obtained cannot well be appUed to lands other 

 than those similar to the pastures in which the study was con- 

 ducted. 



The studies of grazing capacity by the United States Forest 

 Service have already been described. In the beginning of 

 studies of this kind the first step is the making of a careful graz- 

 ing reconnaissance of the area selected. At the completion of 

 this activity the data are tabulated to show, among other things, 

 the forage by types, the forage acres of each type, the accessi- 

 bihty of the forage, and other important conditions. A record 

 is then kept of the number of stock of each class grazed, the 

 length of season grazed, and, as nearly as possible, the actual 

 time that the stock are maintained on the different forage types. 

 Weights are usually recorded for a reliable number of the stock 

 of all classes grazed, in order that the all-important matter of 

 losses or gains in weight may be known. A record is kept of the 

 deaths of stock during the grazing-capacity test and the causes 

 thereof, for it is the aim to keep the stock in good growing con- 

 dition at all times. Careful records are also kept as to the con- 

 dition of the forage throughout the test period, its utilization, 

 the yield departures from the normal, as well as estimates of 

 the degree of the stocking on the stand and the yield in future. 



Grazing Capacity of Ranges and Farm Pastures. — The 

 grazing-capacity figures here given have been developed on the 

 basis of the minimum acreage required to maintain a foraging 

 animal in good, thrifty condition through the grazing season 

 stipulated. For purposes of ready comparison, the data pre- 

 sented in the following table are expressed on a cow-unit basis. ^ 



^ Custom varies considerably in the matter of the number of sheep or goats which 

 are taken as the equivalent of a cow in ascertaining the acreage of pasture 

 necessary for each per season or other unit of time. The prevailing proportion 

 in western ranges is four sheep or four goats to one cow. In some Western States, 

 however, five or even six sheep or goats per cow unit is the usage. A horse is 

 usually considered the equivalent of a cow, just as a goat is of a sheep. 



