Vegetation 



Present 



The proposed Beckman WMA (Steiners' ranch) is identified as nver breaks habitat, 

 consisting of 3 major vegetative types. The ponderosa pine / Douglas fir-juniper type 

 occurs on the more moist aspects of ridges and coulees. A grassland type occupies the 

 drier benches and sidehills and is dominated by western wheatgrass, needleandthread 

 and blue grama. Most of the river bottom riparian type consists of cottonwood / willow 

 stands (about 250 acres) and grassland terraces (about 400 acres). The cottonwood / 

 willow stands also have understory vegetation comprised of western snowberry, Wood's 

 rose, chokecherry, silver buffaloberry, and redosier dogwood. Most of the riparian grass- 

 land terraces have been cultivated into alfalfa and tame grass hay fields. 



These vegetative types, combined with the topographic features, make the property year- 

 round habitat for mule and white-tailed deer. To a lesser extent, sharp-tailed grouse and 

 Merriam's turkeys are also found in the uplands. Ring-necked pheasants make extensive 

 use of the riparian vegetation on the river bottom. All of the vegetative types are utilized 

 by a diverse group of small mammals and birds. 



This property is currently managed as a cow/calf operation. Between 150 and 200 cows 

 are grazed yearlong or season-long in 7 large pastures. During most years 120 aces of 

 irrigated alfalfa were cut and harvested for hay, though almost 500 acres could have been 

 hayed (100 to 200 acres of dryland hay, 150 to 190 acres of flood irrigated tame grass 

 hay, and 120 acres of pump-irrigated alfalfa hay). Cattle were usually pastured on the 

 hay fields from late summer through winter. The range condition is fair on most of the 

 property. 



Future 



Because the native upland and riparian vegetation need some improvement relative to 

 plant vigor and species composition, the property will be rested from livestock grazing for 

 one complete growing season. Range condition, cattle stocking rates, and pasture config- 

 uration will then be reevaluated. Riparian areas will be fenced so cattle grazing/utilization 

 can be deferred and/or more precisely managed. A grazing system will be designed and 

 implemented to improve the condition and occurrence of desired woody and herbaceous 

 plant species in all vegetative types. Such a grazing system will probably incorporate 

 pasture rotation and rest and the development of stock watering facilities that are located 

 outside of riparian areas. Cattle grazing of the riparian areas is expected to be much 

 lighter than in the past. 



To rectify a weed problem on one upland bench, at least 19 acres will probably be farmed 

 to a small grain crop for 2 years and then reseeded to a grass or grass/legume mixture. 



jmp 



