PROPER STOCKING OF RANGE (Native Pasture) 



PROPER STOCKING is balancing the number of stock you will run and the length 

 of time they will graze with the needs of the better plants for growth and 

 production. 



WHY 



HOW 



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It leaves a cover of forage and mulch that causes rapid intake «md 

 storage of water, (More water stored in the ground means more 

 growth for grazing, ) 



All food for root growth is made in green shoots, (Deep roots mean 

 use of deep moisture, ) 



It protects the soil from wind and water erosion, (A good forage 

 cover is the surest and cheapest way to keep your soil on your place. 

 Better plants increase and crowd out weeds, (Allows ranges in poor 

 and fair condition to improve by changes to better kinds of plants. ) 

 Food reserves are stored in the roots for quick and vigorous growth 

 after droughts and in spring. (Weak plants are first to go doimant 

 and last to green up. ) 



Makes most snow stop where it falls. (Snow that drifts and then 

 melts in drainages and bushes is of little benefit. ) 

 Prevents high soil tenperatures in summer and frost heaving in win- 

 ter, (Seedlings of valuable forage plants can become established. ) 

 Provides more reserve for dry spells, (Reduces losses through 

 forced sell-offs during droughts. ) 



Know what you now have by way of different kinds of range land and 



different kinds of foraige plants. 



Know what each kind of land could look like; the forage plants it 



could produce, the additional rainfall and snowmelt you coiild store, 



the erosion you could stop, and the increase in forage production 



that is possible, if any. 



Stock according to your kind of range land and its range condition. 



Allow for improvement of ranges not in top condition. Your SCS 



technician can recommend a beginning stocking rate based on your range 



sites, their range condition now, and climate. 



Adjust livestock numbers from season to season by watching degree of 



use. Graze about half and leave half the annual growth of important 



grasses on the pasture. See attached Guide to Degree of Use, 



Move animals to other pasture, or market, or feed, before degree of 



use becomes close. 



Your local Soil Conservation Service technicians will be glad to discuss and 

 help you fit this Job to yo\ir own land, vegetation, and plan of operations. 



V. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



SOIL CONSERVATION SERVICE 



MT-J5-19 

 57M-20H 



