Using Grazing Management to Increase Ranch Viability

Using Grazing Management to Increase Ranch Viability

 

Ranching is about making plans and adapting as you go, some ranchers may not realize how much planning they are actually doing on a day-to-day basis. Implementing grazing management plans can be utilized to build grazing resources while properly maintaining others and create long term resources that can help to increase drought resistance, improve water quality and ensure continuing success.

Grazing management plans need to be long term and well thought out since native grasslands are more sensitive to overgrazing compared to tame grasses. Native grasses are incredibly sensitive to grazing in the spring during their growing period and most ranchers balance grazing resources between tame and native already. Typically, ranchers leave their native grasses to be grazed later in the year to allow for the plants to grow and mature. This has become more difficult given the recent drought conditions and lack of native prairie regrowing to a grazable stage. Native grasslands are an incredible resource for ranchers in southern Saskatchewan but unless managed correctly this resource can quickly deplete to bald prairie. When it comes time to plan grazing for the coming year, we as ranchers do our best to remain optimistic. The last 5 years we have faced historic drought conditions and have had to constantly change plans as it continues in some regions. Grazing management plans can be used to help mitigate problems but need to be adaptable.

Being able to let the native grass mature enough to graze and also recognizing when it needs rest and time to restore are keys to good management. We are able to control many aspects that ultimately affect the overall health of that native prairie. We control timing, frequency, duration and intensity, all of which impact how that land can be grazed in the future. We must remember that a grazed plant is not a dead plant, but if a plant is continually being grazed down without any rest or time to regrow then we run into problems. Proper management plans can also include being able to maintain habitat for some species at risk and at the same time being able to manage native grassland properly by leaving appropriate litter levels or deferring grazing will naturally create habitat.

The presence of wildlife on native grasslands is one of many indicators of good management. Most of the time seeing wildlife on their land doesn’t faze ranchers, they see them but don’t actually acknowledge them. Species at risk that call grasslands home are typically elusive so it’s not uncommon that ranchers don’t even realize their pastures are home for them. For species at risk such as Sprague’s Pipit, Thick Billed Longspur and Greater Sage Grouse, grazing so you leave enough plants for them to forage, nest and hide from predators can also make sure that it is not being overgrazed. Some bird species do require shorter grasses and this is where we can use cattle to create that environment. There are numerous ways to get involved with species at risk monitoring and it can be a valuable tool to monitor your native grassland health. The Saskatchewan Stock Growers Foundation works with various organizations that monitor and collect data on populations of birds, insects and other mammals. We also inventory plant types and soil types and are able to make predictive modeling to help landowners understand the importance of management plans.

Another way to monitor grassland health is through litter cover. Litter is the residue from the previous grazing season and can be standing or lying plant material and slightly decomposed. Litter can be an important indicator of habitat health and previous management. Leaving an appropriate amount of litter and plant matter over into the next year can help protect the soil surface, increase moisture availability and improve nutrient cycling when litter breaks down into organic matter. Too much litter can be a problem as well. Overabundance of litter can slow the growth of some forages and cattle are not as apt to graze old growth when given the chance. Working with a professional agrologist or range technician can help to explain what the amount of litter in your native grasslands means for your grazing moving forward into the grazing months ahead. They can also help put together a management strategy to maximize the overall health of your grasslands.

Looking into grazing management plans is one way a landowner can increase viability and use of their land without causing negative environmental impacts. Little changes can go a long way but sometimes you need an outside voice or expert to help start you on the right path. The Saskatchewan Stock Growers Foundation has the resources and connections needed to make positive changes while the landowner remains in control of their land.

 

 

 

 

Low Litter vs High Litter

Levels on Native Grasslands

 

 

 

Author: Mindy Hockley