At heavier grazing use levels (above 50 percent), range will need a greater rest-to- 

 grazing ratio so plants can recover. Grazing can be scheduled at high intensity for 

 a short period, but the grazing unit must then be rested for a longer time. Such a 

 schedule helps to reduce selective grazing and can help native plants compete 

 against less desirable species. 



In any grazing plan, grazing use levels during the growing season of greater than 65 

 to 70 percent may require a rest period of one-and-a-half to two growing seasons 

 to maintain healthy plant communities. Any short-term heavy grazing use must 

 not contribute to site deterioration. 



To assess the effectiveness of your management plan, look beyond the degree of 



grazing use. Carefully monitor range condition and make trend estimates or 



measurements for at least three years or at least two rotations through the grazing ^^^m-^'wrnii, ■» 



schedule. Trend is the direction a resource is going. Estimate trend on the plant Better deciMon 



community that is desired. Better decisions can be made on grazing management '''"'" ™""n».uiv h monuouuf, i,c,„i. 



and how grazing is affecting this plant community by monitoring trend. There may not he a drastic change in trend on rangelands within a 



3-year period; however, even small changes can assist with management decisions. It takes 3 years or more of data to show true trend. 



urmg is affectii\g this 



To assess the effectiveness iif your manu^eineitl l)Utn, Untk heyimd the def^ree nf ^rtlzhtK use 



A word of caution: the effects ot grazing on the plant community cannot be 

 judged by averaging the degree of use on different plant species. The fact 

 that one species was lightly grazed does not compensate for another species 

 being grazed heavily. This is part of the reason it is so important to deter- 

 mine the key species. The key species is usually the species that will show 

 the effects ot use first or will be used the heaviest if the animals aren't 

 moved from the pasture. Determining moving dates based on the degree ot 

 use on this key species will decrease the chance that the pasture will be 

 overgrazed. If the plant preferred by livestock isn't overgrazed it is pretty 

 safe to assume that the others won't be. The same applies to range condi- 

 tions within each management unit. It part ot the grazing unit is uiitouched, 

 but another section is continually and hea\'ily grazed, ax'craging the two 

 extremes will not give you an accurate picture of overall conditions. Keep 

 track ot the grazing use in different areas of your pastures, especially those 

 that are large in size. Animal distribution may be improved through riding/ 

 herding, salting in unused areas, or de\eloping water sources in areas that 

 are not used becau.se ot their distance from the water source. 



12 



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