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Monitor the progress of your grazing plan by checking forage
utilization, trampling impacts, and condition of woody browse in riparian
areas. Uplands should be monitored for utilization levels, forage specie
composition, percent bare soil, and evidence of erosion.
6.2 Decisions regarding the
methods you will use to achieve your goals and objectives should
take the following into consideration:
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Short duration, high intensity grazing during specific timing
of plant's growth may be used to control weeds and improve the viability
of the desirable plant communities.
-
On irrigated pastures, fertilizing should be coordinated
with irrigation, growing season, and grazing.
-
Drag pastures to break down livestock manure to help incorporate
it into the soil.
-
Utilize a variety of livestock to accomplish more efficient
and even utilization of vegetation.
-
Herding and/or salting may be used to control livestock distribution
and frequency of grazing.
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Develop and locate livestock watering facilities away from
riparian areas to encourage even distribution of use.
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Permanent fences, electric fences, or other effective confinement
devices can be used to control the distribution, frequency and timing of
grazing.
6.3 Reseeding pastures can
be an effective means of increasing grazing capacity. Cool and warm season
plants can be used to increase the grazing period. The following considerations
may apply:
-
Before changing plant communities, an assessment should be
made to ensure the site is capable of producing and sustaining the desired
plant community.
-
Interseeding into an established pasture is possible when
using a seeder that has soil cutting blades and depth control adjustment.
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Cool season grasses generally grow best when temperatures
are between 65 and 75 degrees F. Cool season grasses make most of their
growth during spring and mature by early summer.
-
Warm season grasses generally grow best when temperatures
are between 90 and 95 degrees F. Warm season grasses tend to make
most of their growth in midsummer.
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