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Grazing Management for Healthy Riparian Areas

Date post: 05-Jan-2016
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Grazing Management for Healthy Riparian Areas. Authors: Gene Surber, MSU Extension Natural Resources Specialist Bob Ehrhart, Research Specialist, RWRP, Univ. of Montana. Introduction. Addresses principles and techniques for grazing your riparian areas Each ranch operation is unique. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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Grazing Management for Healthy Riparian Areas Authors: Gene Surber, MSU Extension Natural Resources Specialist Bob Ehrhart, Research Specialist, RWRP, Univ. of Montana
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Page 1: Grazing Management for Healthy Riparian Areas

Grazing Management for Healthy Riparian Areas

Authors:Gene Surber, MSU ExtensionNatural Resources Specialist

Bob Ehrhart, Research Specialist,RWRP, Univ. of Montana

Page 2: Grazing Management for Healthy Riparian Areas

IntroductionAddresses principles and techniques for grazing your riparian areasEach ranch operation is unique

Page 3: Grazing Management for Healthy Riparian Areas

General Principles for Grazing Livestock in Riparian Areas1. Taylor your grazing approach2. Incorporate into overall plan3. Select a season of use4. Limit livestock time5. Influence livestock time6. Ensure adequate vegetation cover7. Provide adequate regrowth time & rest8. Take an active management role

Page 4: Grazing Management for Healthy Riparian Areas

1. Taylor your grazing approach

No “cookbook” solutionsSpecific riparian objectives

InventoryMonitoring program

Page 5: Grazing Management for Healthy Riparian Areas

2. Incorporate into overall plan

Don’t neglect the majority of the ranchConsider impact of actions on riparian areasWhat you do in riparian areas my affect your uplands – vice versa

Page 6: Grazing Management for Healthy Riparian Areas

3. Select a season of useNo one season is “best”Dependent upon

Physical characteristicsConditionPlant stage developmentWeatherTypes of animals

Page 7: Grazing Management for Healthy Riparian Areas

4. Limit livestock timeCow/Calf pairs spend a disproportionate amount of time near the creekReduce time in riparian pastures

Page 8: Grazing Management for Healthy Riparian Areas

5. Influence livestock distribution

Encourage cattle to move away from the stream

Season of useOff-stream water

Page 9: Grazing Management for Healthy Riparian Areas

6. Ensure adequate vegetation cover

How muchType“Adequate” – depends upon

LocationSpring runoffWildlife use

Page 10: Grazing Management for Healthy Riparian Areas

7. Provide adequate regrowth time & rest

Plants need rest for:

GrowthSeed developmentStorage of carbohydrates

Page 11: Grazing Management for Healthy Riparian Areas

8. Active management role

On-the-ground observationFlexibility to changing conditions

Page 12: Grazing Management for Healthy Riparian Areas

Variety of techniquesAppropriate season of use for grazing riparian areasReducing intensity of use – distribution of livestock

Page 13: Grazing Management for Healthy Riparian Areas

Determining Season of Use

The predicted response of different plant species; The grazing impact on plant communities; and The percent of soil moisture on the site.

Page 14: Grazing Management for Healthy Riparian Areas

Early season (spring) grazing

Livestock attracted to uplandsCool temperaturesWet soils – may discourage useCoarse-textured, fine-grained soils

Page 15: Grazing Management for Healthy Riparian Areas

Hot-season (mid-summer)Closely monitor – limited durationEncourage livestock to move outProvide opportunity for regrowthWarm season species

Page 16: Grazing Management for Healthy Riparian Areas

Late Season (fall) grazingHerbaceous versus tree or shrubCool season plant communitiesOff-stream water available

Page 17: Grazing Management for Healthy Riparian Areas

Winter UseLarge pastureDrainages colder than uplandsFrozen soil – to reduce compaction

Page 18: Grazing Management for Healthy Riparian Areas

Techniques: reduce intensity

Influence distribution

Alternate water

Page 19: Grazing Management for Healthy Riparian Areas

Influence livestock distribution

Troughs dug into hillsides – covered with dirtStable access points to water

Page 20: Grazing Management for Healthy Riparian Areas

Influence livestock distribution

Side barsGravelSimple bridge

Page 21: Grazing Management for Healthy Riparian Areas

Influence livestock distribution

Placement of salt and mineralsImprove upland forage

Page 22: Grazing Management for Healthy Riparian Areas

Influence livestock distribution

Extended plant restRiding

Page 23: Grazing Management for Healthy Riparian Areas

Influence livestock distribution

Drift fences or other obstacles

Page 24: Grazing Management for Healthy Riparian Areas

Influence livestock distribution

Turn-in locationSmall pastures

Closer management control

Page 25: Grazing Management for Healthy Riparian Areas

Influence livestock distribution

FencingRestorationProtect streambanksRehabilitation

Page 26: Grazing Management for Healthy Riparian Areas

Influence livestock distribution

Permanent fencingNo fence optionsWater gaps


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