grazing management COPY Flashcards
What is rangeland?
Open country that provides grazing for ungulates.
How much of the earth’s land mass is rangeland?
What percent of domestic livestock feed is rangeland and what percent of wild ungulate feed is rangeland?
50%
75%
100%
Characteristics of Rangeland
- Land that provides forage to grazing animals
- Vast areas that require long-term planning
- Land that provides forage to grazing animals
- Land in it’s the natural state
- Land that is non-arable
- Stable
- Vast areas that require long-term planning
Characteristics of Rangeland
grazing
stable
natural
non-arable
vast + long pan
- land provides forage for grazing animals
- stable
- in its natural state
- non-arable
- vast areas of land that require long term planning
Range Management - What the is it?
Application of scientific principles to: 1. Protect the resource (soil, plants and animals) 2. Provide a livelihood for the owner/operator
Who are the environmental stewards that have enabled North American rangelands to be very productive?
ranchers!
8 things important about rangeland? (Ecological Goods and Services)
- Animal Products
- Water and Watershed Protection
- Habitat for Wildlife
- Timber and Wood Products
- Coal, Minerals, Oil and Gas
- Aesthetics
- Biodiversity
- Carbon Sequestration
Definitions of Grazing
- A of A F on GPM
- Does it have to be on a pasture?
(Pasture is a land covered with grass and other low plants suitable for grazing animals, especially cattle or sheep.)
- The act of animals feeding on green plant material
- No, can be within a pasture field or other areas where forage is available
Why is Grazing Important?
- Rangelands are an important resource for livestock grazing.
- In Alberta, 14 percent of the Alberta beef cattle herd.
- environmental benefits
Grasslands in Canadian Prairies are dominated by… gs lrf wt
Grasslands are dominated by grass species which are adapted to areas with low rainfall and warm temperatures
Why is Grazing important? GA B…..C B and C … EE FS “-“
• Our grasslands were developed under grazing animals (specifically the bison) and fire • When bison were almost eradicated cattle replaced them • Bison and Cattle are considered to be ecological equivalents • Fire suppression has had a negative impact on our grasslands
Grazing and Fire Agronomic Crops GinCwF GofA MotGaUAC TRNG
• Grazing in combination with fire play major roles in the development of grasslands • Growing of agronomic or tame crops has also affected the grasslands • Much of the grasslands are utilized for agronomic crops • The remaining native grasslands are limited to areas of rough terrain or have other issues that impact traditional agriculture
Why is Grazing important? same stuff
• Grazing in combination with fire play major roles in the development of grasslands • Growing of agronomic or tame crops has also affected the grasslands • Much of the grasslands are utilized for agronomic crops • The remaining native grasslands are limited to areas of rough terrain or have other issues that impact traditional agriculture
Species used for graxzing… two major groups NS AS
he vegetation utilized for grazing can be classified into two major groups – Native species • Grasses • Forbs • Woody – Agronomic species • Grasses • Legumes • Others • The majority of species are herbaceous and perennial
Plant factors to consider grazing A/T NS aCorD -GtTS
• Agronomics/Tame species have been selected for their fast establishment , quick regrowth & palatability • Native species have developed under our “tough” prairie climate, but regrow later in the spring • A complimentary or deferred grazing system – Grazing the tame species earlier in the season alleviates stress and overgrazing of the native species
Classification of Native species – Decreaser - increaser N,GT, Un,un –invaders –E/A/T generally a sign of decreasing native range condition
• From an ecological perspective, native species can be classified as follows – Decreaser • Native, palatable, grazing sensitive, animals first choice, bunchgrasses – Increaser • Native, grazing tolerant, may be unpalatable, unavailable (low growing), poisonous, begin to take over if decreases overgrazed – Invaders • Exotic/agronomic /tame or annual plants, generally a sign of decreasing native range condition
Effect of Grazing and overgrazing on Plant Species
• Under normal conditions 50% carry over ensures good regrowth for plants
Function of Grazing 2
• Grazing maintains the plants in the active growth cycle • If the pasture plants are left they become “decadent” and not as productive
Last stand of Tallgrass Prairie
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jy21uSG3 ma8
Pasture Conditioning – Healthy – Healthy with Problems – Unhealthy
• Percentages of the dominant/climax plant community – Healthy • 75-100% – Healthy with Problems • 50-74% – Unhealthy • <50%
Stocking Rate • Use of appropriate stocking rates based on the condition of the pasture will maintain and can improve the pasture condition • Stocking rates are expressed as ?? • Expressed as Animal units/unit area (AU/Ha or AU/ac) or Area/AUM (Ha/AUM or ac/AUM) • AUM=? • AUD=?
Animal Units (AU’s)….. • 1 Animal Unit = 1000lb of animal • The area of land allowed per animal unit for the entire grazeable period of the year Animal Unit Month Animal Unit Day
AU Equivelents AU = Animal units These are approximate values: – Cattle: • Weaned calves 0.50 • Yearling heifers & steers ? • Mature cow with or without unweaned calf 1.00 • Bulls (2 yrs and over) ? – Horses: • Yearlings ? • 2 yr olds 1.00 • 3+ yrs ?
0.67 0.75 1.50 1.50j
