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MISC. .PUBLICATION" 9 0, IT. S. DEPT. OF AGPvICULTUEE 



early in the spring to remain in thrifty, serviceable condition. In some cases 

 such an animal can not even gather enough to tide her over the period of 

 recuperation (7). 



At the beginning of spring growth in some localities, livestock 

 losses have resulted from the green feed being sparse and containing 

 only a small amount of body and nutriment, and from stock grazing 

 little else but green leafage once they had a fair sample of the new 

 growth. 



The amount of protein in the young leafage that is digestible may 

 be comparatively low (8). 



WHEN IS FORAGE READY FOR GRAZING 



There has been much observation and some experimentation to 

 determine when forage has developed far enough to permit grazing. 

 The following standards have been set up by the Forest Service 

 as general guides in determining vegetative readiness. 



Figuee 13. — Cattle on the high range too early. Too-early 

 harmful as too-heavy grazing 



grazing is often as 



Judgment should be based on conditions on the part of the range 

 that will be used. If a range has both north and south exposures, 

 the south exposures will generally be ready for grazing before those 

 that face the north. If a unit varies much in elevation, grazing 

 may be permitted when the lowest part is ready if the stock are to 

 be confined there. If there is not enough of the low range to carry 

 the stock until the high range is ready, or if stock are to use the 

 entire unit as soon as they go on the range, grazing should not be 

 permitted until most of the range is ready. 



The ground must be firm enough to withstand trampling without 

 injury. 



Vegetative readiness should be based upon the development of the 

 most important class of forage that will be used. Grass is usually 

 ready for grazing (other conditions being the same) one or two 

 weeks before browse and weeds. If grass is the dominant class of 

 forage, or is nearly equal in importance to the browse and weeds, 



