FOUR RANGE CONDITION CLASSES ON SAME KIND OF LAND IN FOOTHILLS AND MOUNTAINS OF 

 WESTERN MONTANA. (SILTY SITE 15-19" PRECIPITATION BELT) 



Intensity of grazing use caused the differences in these native pastures. Soil 

 and climate are the same. The taller grasses are the original natural cover of 

 all the pastures. Nature will restore them if given a chance. 





Excellent Range Condition 



Tall grasses like Rough fescue. Green 

 needlegrass and Bluebunch wheatgrass are 

 abundant. A natural mulch covers the 

 ground and lets moisture soak into the 

 soil quickly. Grass stubble holds the 

 snow. Runoff and erosion are at a mini- 

 mum. Forage production is tops. 



Good Range Condition 



Hough fescue and Green needlegrass plants 

 are scarce and Bluebunch wheatgrasses are 

 small and weak. Prairie junegrass, Western 

 wheatgrass and Sandberg bluegrass have 

 partially replaced these high-producing 

 grasses but bare ground is beginning to 

 show. Loss of water and soil is evident. 

 Proper use and an occasional rest during 

 the growing season will rapidly improve 

 this range. 



Fair Range Condition 



Only a few of the original tall- growing 

 grasses are left. They have been replaced 

 by short grasses liKe Sandberg bluegrass, 

 Idaho fescue and Kentucky bluegrass and by 

 weedy plants such as Wild iris. Hairy gold- 

 aster and Pussytoes. Forage production is 

 greatly reduced. Light use with frequent 

 deferment of grazing during the spring and 

 summer will usually restore ranges in this 

 condition to their original productive 

 state. 



Poor Range Condition 



Nature tries to keep the ground covered 

 with some kind of vegetation. When use 

 is so heavy that taller growing grasses 

 can not survive, she substitutes unpalat- 

 able plants, annuals or short growing 

 grasses that escape close grazing. 

 Moisture for plant growth is reduced and 

 forage production is at a minimum. Res- 

 toration to excellent will be slow but 

 certain with the use of conservation 

 practices* 



58tl-133-2(2l 



