Our aim was to keep them on the ridges and out of snow as much as possible 

 to reduce the maintenance and construction costs. 



Now, not all the sagebmsh is quite this tall hut we sure had a lot of 

 sagebrush. We had more than the sagehens could eat ! So we were convinced 

 that a sagebrush control project would be worthwhile. Pastures one and three 

 were sprayed in I968 then rested for two years; two and fo\ir were sprayed in 

 1970' Each treatment area was rested for two growing seasons - the year of 

 treatment and the year following. Application was done by fixed wing air- 

 craft. We had a good pilot. The pilot had more courage than common sense 

 and that makes a good spray pilot. 



While the pastures were rested, we developed four water developments, 

 two in pasture four and one in each of two other past\ares. This was done 

 to improve the distribution of livestock which were now confined in smaller 

 pastures. One such development was fenced around the seep area to keep live- 

 stock out and then we installed a trough to provide dependable storage for 

 a good water supply. 



Our other ranch unit called the Middle Fork unit involves deeded, State 

 and Forest Service lands. Here we are still in the process of developing a 

 long range management plan and converting this allotment from sheep to a 

 cattle allotment. It has taken a great deal of time to get this done but I 

 think now we are finally to a point where we have good cooperation between 

 the Forest Service, the Conservation District and ourselves. 



This plan has taken a lot of time in the initial stages including look- 

 ing over the land and placing cross fences to properly manage the allotment. 



Most of the fence was built entirely by us, the permittee. There was 

 some that the Forest Service provided materials for but most was built by 

 us, including allotment boiondary fences to which the United States Forest 

 Service still retains title. The Forest Service did some sagebrush control 

 by burning last fall and this spring. This looks promising and I think the 

 results of this burn hold the key to potential range improvement for areas 

 such as this. This range is also under a rest-rotation grazing system. 



When we begin to list the benefits of good range management, the first 

 item that comes to mind is increased livestock production. This has with it 



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