3. Can success be expected?- -Best returns come from depleted range areas with moder- 

 ately level topography and deep fertile soils. Potential productivity of such sites is often 

 indicated by the vigorous growth of undesirable plants. It is good business to seed the best 

 sites first, and then proceed to less productive or harsher sites that are steep, rocky, dry, or 

 saline . 



Moisture is the major factor in success of seeding. Season of precipitation and the 

 moisture-holding capacity of the soil both influence the effectiveness of rainfall; but, in general, 

 wherever the average annual precipitation in Idaho is 11 inches or more, seeding has been suc- 

 cessful. Where the annual precipitation averages from 9 to 11 inches, success can reasonably 

 be expected, but an especially good job of seedbed preparation and planting is required. Several 

 seedings have been successful in the 7- to 9-inch precipitation belt, but the percentage of 

 successes is much lower than in wetter areas. 



4. Can the area b e managed?- -Good range management is as important on seeded as on 

 native range. Seeding can be a sound and durable investment only if the number of livestock and 

 the season of grazing can be controlled. Fencing is usually an integral part of a seeding project. 



5. Will returns justify costs?- -Current seeding costs range from $5 to $25 per acre. 

 Where the yearly production of usable forage can be changed from about 50 pounds or less per 

 acre to 400 pounds or more, or the per-acre gain of livestock increased from 4 to 40 pounds or 

 more, seeding is a profitable investment. With such increases, a range seeding costing $10 

 per acre would pay for itself during the third season of grazing, or about the fifth or sixth year 

 after seeding. Many seedings have equaled or excelled this and are still productive after 20 to 

 30 years of grazing. Methods of calculating seeding costs and returns can be found in bulletins 

 by Caton and Beringer (1960) and Lloyd and Cook (1960). 



6. Will wildlife values be damaged?- -Browse is the primary sustenance of big game 

 animals in winter, and shrubs provide the cover essential to good habitat of game animals and 

 birds. Before converting a brushy site to grass by seeding, the range owner or manager should 

 consider what effect such a change would have upon wildlife. 



7. Can sound practices be applied?- -Most of the past failures in range seeding could 

 have been prevented if certain procedures necessary to success had been followed. Experience 

 and research have demonstrated four principles to be fundamental to seeding success: 



a. Vegetation that competes with seeded species for moisture must be eliminated. 



b. Planting must be at the time, depth, and rate that are best for emergence and 

 survival of seedlings. 



c. Only species suited to the site should be seeded. 



d. The resulting stand must be managed to assure sustained maximum productivity. 



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