Rangeland Brush Control Starts With Grazing Management

/ Rangelands and Ranching: A Study of Proper Use of Rangelands & the Environment by Frank S Price / Leave a comment

Brush management has become the go-to-management item for many (Even most) when the operator desires to improve the grazing for his livestock. While this can make for a dramatic change in the amount of grass that can be made available for the livestock, so many times it is only temporary as the brush quickly returns. Many times, the result is thicker and harder to control brush than before the initial treatment. Considering and understanding why the brush has become a problem is the most important consideration prior to the initiation of a brush program.

Nature’s highest priority is to put ‘cover’ on the soil as this is the fastest, most practical way of rangeland recovery. Shading of the soil, slowing erosion, protecting seedlings and the microflora within the soil are but a few of the processes that are essential for rangeland ‘long term’ improvement. Annual weeds, brush, mold, lichens and soil capping are some of the tools at nature’s disposal and none of those ‘tools’ are acceptable to the rancher wanting to raise livestock. Yes, they are valuable tools that over the long haul can make a difference, but we are too impatient to wait for the results, which might take thousands of years.

When nature finds that the grazing program causes the premier plants such as perennial -deep- rooted- palatable grasses and forbs can’t survive due to continuous grazing and too many mouths to feed, it resorts to covering the soil with anything that will survive. Brush is often the answer to covering the soil. Yes, over time that brush can result in enhancing the soil’s carbon content. (Thanks, Steve Nelle, for pointing this out in your Cowboy Ecologist article in the Livestock Weekly.) The important thing is to recognize what nature has accomplished with covering the soil with that brush and not destroy her creation by removing the brush and going back to over grazing and not providing adequate recovery time. Without this grazing management the newly created healthy soil will quickly be lost to erosion, and the brush cycle will start over again. If you consider nature to be a being, one can look at as if the grazing manager made her mad and she will put that much more brush at play in a much denser form. (Which she isn’t. She is a process that was put in place during creation.)

So, it must be understood that the only way to improve grazing and soil health is to initiate that effective grazing program first, let it work its magic for a few years then, if needed, attack the brush and the results can be an awesome, exceptionally quick long-term result.

While still not perfect grass recovery. Photo depicts recovery after clearing very heavy brush from a draw area two years ago. I suspect the high carbon-organic matter discussed by Steve exists on this site also.

                            THE BETTER IT GETS, THE FASTER IT GETS BETTER

Buffalo Wallow: From Erosion to Green Pastures

/ Rangelands and Ranching: A Study of Proper Use of Rangelands & the Environment by Frank S Price / Leave a comment

The pictured area was known as a buffalo wallow during my younger years, or at least that’s what the old timers I grew up with called it. For those that are unfamiliar with buffalo wallows they were low areas that held shallow bodies of rainwater after a rain event and seldom had anything growing in them. They were generally bare soil except for, on occasion, annual weeds and sometimes annual grasses. The old timers I referred to believed that during the days of buffalo roaming the prairie the buffalo would roll in the moist muddy spots for relief or perhaps lounging purposes. Whether those tales or stories were correct, I do know that some 150 years later, until an effective graze rest-recovery program was put into action the area did not grow perennial grasses and a visible area of erosion was getting deeper and more prominent. That area of erosion has now become the quite visible area of taller-greener grasses and the entire ‘Buffalo Wallow’ is now one of the most productive areas within the pasture.

Perhaps a bit of history has been lost with this recovery of a potential historical site, but it is certainly satisfying to witness the value of long-term rangeland recovery.

(It would be interesting to see any comments readers might have about tales of buffalo wallows. The old timers are gone, and good stories of the past are at a premium.)

                                THE BETTER IT GETS, THE FASTER IT GETS BETTER.

Harnessing the Water Cycle for Sustainable Grazing

/ Rangelands and Ranching: A Study of Proper Use of Rangelands & the Environment by Frank S Price / Leave a comment

A functioning water cycle can move a grazing operation to be much less vulnerable during an ongoing drought, to the point that what many will call a severe drought might be considered only a ‘dry spell’ that will work itself out over time by those managers that have put the planning, initiation and observation (Management) into developing an effective grazing program.

A sound grazing program that encourages a solid turf of healthy deep-rooted grasses and forbs is the beginning of storing the limited rain and snow fall for use of the plants and placing the remaining water in storage for future use. When that healthy well covered rangeland is in place, even small rain events of as little as .25” can make a difference in maintaining grazing for livestock and health of the rangeland. (Some have observed that heavy dew can be a positive moisture event.) Bare ground is not an option as limited rainfall will be quickly lost to evaporation, sunlight and wind will take its toll in short order. Not to mention the tragic loss of topsoil from erosion that is a valuable part of making the water cycle work as it should.  Healthy soil can absorb heavy rain much faster than can be imagined, thus reducing runoff and storing the water in the soil for use of the plants well after the rain event. Water in healthy soils having a vibrant population of microbiomes-insects-nematodes-earthworms and valued humus provided by the plant growth, can move within soil, not just to lower elevations but laterally even uphill through let’s call it osmosis or capillary motion. If the absorbed water becomes too great to be retained in the soil structure, then it can begin to move down into the aquifer restoring the much-needed water for the pumping of our many needs for use. This untechnical description of the water cycle may sound too good to be true, but it works as many managers have personally witnessed and it just might be the only way future generations can enjoy the opportunity to live on the land and have something to drink and maintain a happy healthy lifestyle.

The recent extremely heavy rainfall across much of the West Texas area was an awesome event that refilled many of the reservoirs of the area but in large was not the utilization of an effective water cycle. It was merely a flood event that provided little long-term benefit to the rangeland or the aquifers beneath our feet.

The recent rains provided the first water for these two pictured tanks in 6 years. With the beginnings of reestablishing an effective water cycle, note that the water is clear looking like spring water which it is not. Runoff water only, but no dirt-soil as the solid turf allowed no erosion. Granted with the dense cover it takes a considerably larger rainfall event to produce running water. An effective water cycle is for the long term, but well worth the wait.

Note the red clay in photo. Past history of site is always red water. This is a new occurrence for me.
Located on an upland site. Makes for awesome dove hunting.

Recovery from Grazing is Key to Rangeland Improvement

/ Rangelands and Ranching: A Study of Proper Use of Rangelands & the Environment by Frank S Price / Leave a comment

Recovery after grazing is one of the most important concepts to understand when shifting away from continuous grazing. Many people call it “resting” a pasture, but rest and recovery are not the same, recovery is when the grazing plants have achieved enough growth not to be damaged by a subsequent grazing. Rest from grazing must have the parameter of effective recovery, otherwise it is only a system that does not recognize the goal of effective rangeland recovery. Too much rest can also harm overall rangeland conditions as most rangeland plants are invigorated to a growth phase when stimulated by the grazing animal. Too little recovery time—or none—has contributed to the poor condition of much, if not most, rangeland across the western United States. It is easy to see why: A plant that is repeatedly bitten off, trampled, and grazed again without recovery has little chance to thrive and will eventually die. The most palatable plants are usually the first to disappear.

Some producers may argue that their operation is too small or even too large to allow for proper recovery of the grazed resource. However, they should take time to study the concept, understand the process, and find a practical way to apply it. Operations ranging from 40 acres to tens of thousands of acres have shown that recovery based grazing works. The effort is worthwhile: It can lead to a more profitable operation, increasing healthier stable soils, an effective water cycle that saves water for future use rather than evaporating or running down the creek, better wildlife habitat, and a lasting legacy for future generations.

Photo of Texas Cupgrass. It is becoming obvious that this formerly rarely sighted grass (Only found in protected areas such as growing inside a small bush) is becoming prevalent as a highly palatable, very productive native plant. With continuing rangeland improvement from properly allocated recovery time, it just might be placed within the ‘big four’ category of valuable grasses.

  What you accomplish today can shape tomorrow. Make it a priority.

       THE BETTER IT GETS, THE FASTER IT GETS BETTER

Screwworm Outbreak and the Use of Insect-Parasite Control Products

/ Rangelands and Ranching: A Study of Proper Use of Rangelands & the Environment by Frank S Price / Leave a comment

The current screwworm outbreak can likely be contained and pushed back to Panama through sterile fly releases, much like the successful eradication effort of the 1960s. That program remains one of the most effective biological control efforts ever carried out. While today’s infestation differs in several ways, the same approach should still lead to successful control.

One important change since the earlier infestation problem is the availability of more effective anthelmintics and insecticides for treating and perhaps preventing infected animals. In the past, “worm dope” worked mainly by direct contact with the worm and often required repeated applications. Today, treatment is generally closer to a single application followed by careful observation. The greater challenge is finding and identifying infected animals in the first place.

These modern products should be used carefully, because overuse may ultimately cause more long-term damage than the screwworm itself. Excessive mass preventive treatment can drive parasite resistance and leave livestock and wildlife more vulnerable to internal parasites, flies, lice, ticks, and other pests. Over time, parasites can become harder to control, while animals may lose some of their natural genetic resistance to infection-infestation. This risk applies not only to screwworms, but also to many other parasites and insect pests.

Adding feed-grade ivermectin and other very effective products to a wildlife-livestock feeding program may seem like an easy solution. Some argue that wildlife value justifies the cost, but over time this practice could create a net loss for both wildlife and livestock operations.

The time has passed for trying to “kill all the bad guys”—insects, bacteria, nematodes, viruses, and others—at the expense of beneficial organisms. In fact, when studied closely many of the ‘bad guys’ have a place in Natures realm of treasures. (When referring to Nature with a capital N, I am referring to the Lord’s work.) Many grazers have found that routine worming of cattle and sheep, along with treatments for flies, grubs, and lice, is not always needed or even necessary within an effective controlled grazing program. Avoiding unnecessary treatments can improve soil and animal health while helping restore the natural biota that once characterized the New World and its rangelands. Not to mention the cost savings of not applying those added controls, thinking through and applying the ‘whole’ to the ranching program is essential.

Management decisions should be based not only on current conditions, but also on long-term consequences.

THE BETTER IT GETS, THE FASTER IT GETS BETTER

Recently controlled White Brush – Mesquite. Southwest Bristle Grass response has been amazing. Hard to visualize from picture, but livestock and wildlife will have a difficult time getting to it as it is tucked tightly within the dead ‘it is hoped’ white brush. How long it will take for dead white brush to deteriorate is subject to observation.

Livestock Management Is Essential to Rangeland Improvement

/ Rangelands and Ranching: A Study of Proper Use of Rangelands & the Environment by Frank S Price / Leave a comment

For producers and rangeland managers pursuing healthier rangelands and a profitable ranching operation, livestock can be one of the most valuable reclamation tools available. The impact livestock create on the land remains as important today as the influence once provided by large herds of ungulates, such as buffalo, elk, antelope, and deer, before humans became more dominant in the landscape. Recognizing that many degraded rangelands result from the loss of concentrated animal impact followed by adequate rest and recovery is essential to beginning the restoration process.

Controlled livestock use creates beneficial disturbance on rangeland, followed by planned rest and recovery before animals return to the area. This approach has proven effective for improving land health while supporting the rancher’s economic viability. Without making grazing management a consistent foundation before applying other reclamation practices, the cycle of degradation is unlikely to be broken without repeated use of costly tools such as brush management, seeding, and erosion-control measures. These tools may still be needed to accelerate improvement, but sound grazing management is what makes long-term reclamation effective.

The Better it Gets, The Faster it Gets Better

Eastern Gama 24 days after grazing. Take note of the Johnson Grass at bottom of picture it was grazed less than the EG and still is much smaller than the regrown EG.

From Dawn’s Early Light to Twilight’s Last Gleaming

/ Rangelands and Ranching: A Study of Proper Use of Rangelands & the Environment by Frank S Price / Leave a comment

As our nation approaches its 250th birthday, every citizen should reflect on the extraordinary blessings we have been given: our Constitution, our people, and our natural resources. Those who care for the land carry a profound responsibility to steward the Lord’s carefully created rangelands and support nature’s ongoing work of maintaining balance. Thanks to our Constitution, each land steward has the freedom to decide how to participate in preserving this work for future generations.

We have learned much about rangelands through universities, government resources, and, importantly, the experience of land managers themselves. Understanding how to help nature reach its full potential means working with natural processes, asking why conditions exist, and considering more than manipulating the land to a preconceived state. By seeking those answers and taking proactive steps to support nature’s work, land stewards can strengthen both the health of the land and the success of their operations. Healthy rangelands relate closely with healthy pocketbooks.

The age-old issue of: Are we working toward the sunset or ending of an era, or the beginning of a new age even more productive than the past? Whether politically or at the level of the individual rangeland manager, let’s go with the latter.

                            THE BETTER IT GETS, THE FASTER IT GETS BETTER

Dawns Early Light

Twilights Last Gleaming

Grass Growth and Rangeland Recovery: Scientific Insights and Management Practices

/ Rangelands and Ranching: A Study of Proper Use of Rangelands & the Environment by Frank S Price / Leave a comment

Understanding how a grass plant grows and reproduces can be a very complex (scientific) learning process. The below link will offer interesting, yet tedious reading (For us simple ranchmen) that some grass managers might find productive in their understanding of ‘why’ some grazing-management programs are more effective than others.

Click to access understanding-native-perennial-grass-growth-1.pdf

One of the highlights from the article is: “Perennial grasses can produce by both buds and seed, although more than 99 percent of new tiller growth comes from the bud bank. Seed life spans are short-lived and do not extend beyond 1 year. However, buds are long-lived and have a potential life that may exceed 5 years. Since bud life varies among grass species, current research efforts are focused on determining which species have the longer living buds. Vegetative buds respond quickly to environmental changes like rain, fire, and grazing.” It should be added that disturbance of the grass plant, including grazing, trampling, mechanical, fire and even the destruction of moribund grass plants caused by desert termites’ can all effect the simulation of new growth nodes. (Nature has developed numerous recovery process over millennia)

While I disagree with the statement that the seed life span is only one-year. It has been my experience that given the opportunity, seed can survive for an extremely long time and when given the opportunity (an effective graze-rest program) dormmate seed can provide excellent rangeland recovery. Albeit over an extended period. (Numerous years of application of that effective management program.)

A second highlight emphasized by the article is: “Current research has shown that perennial grasses reproduce by vegetative processes through asexual reproduction. Seed contribution to maintain an established grassland is less than 1 percent of the total reproductive effort.”

What can be gleaned form this article is that grazing-management programs should be designed to enhance bud simulation of the grass plant, seeding will take care of itself over time. (Patience is key here)

 It is all about stimulating growth buds to promote rangeland recovery and after stimulation giving the plant the opportunity (REST) to reach its genetic potential.

Photo shows a formerly erosive site that has almost total recovery form loss of soil. Vine Mesquite Grass is an excellent plant to quickly cover bare areas, especially when extra rain water is provided from runoff. After it is established, runoff is slowed to the point of putting the water into the ground. Greatly enhancing soil health.

THE BETTER IT GETS, THE FASTER IT GETS BETTER

The Way or A Way: Understanding Grazing Management

/ Rangelands and Ranching: A Study of Proper Use of Rangelands & the Environment by Frank S Price / Leave a comment

There is no fixed way of reaching effective grazing management “The Way”. The grazing manager must find “A Way” of reaching his goals.

Effective grazing management is not a fixed process that is always the same. Certain broad principles will aways be applied, but there are innumerable ways of achieving the results wanted by the individual producer or manager. Many times, other producers looking across the fence condemn what his neighbor is doing just because it is different than his own and he does not understand what the goals are. (Perhaps we need to find a way of communicating with the neighbor, then the opportunity of learning from each other will move them both forward.)

Reaching the goal of what is best for our rangeland health and the health of the ranching operation should be the priority of all rangeland-ranch managers.  Applying grazing principles that attempt to get our rangelands back to pre-European health with healthy soils, little erosion and an effective water cycle. When that goal is moving toward successful conclusion the profitability and health of the ranching operation are virtually exponential. In effect, what’s good for the health of the rangeland is good for the health of the pocketbook.

False Switch Grass, Canada Wildrye, Sideoats and Texas Winter Grass in an overflow area. Formerly a highly erodible area that did not utilize the neighbor’s rainwater that they were sharing with us. Now that ‘shared’ water is providing excellent results.

THE BETTER IT GETS THE FASTER IT GETS BETTER

The Importance of Patience in Grazing Program Development

/ Rangelands and Ranching: A Study of Proper Use of Rangelands & the Environment by Frank S Price / Leave a comment

Patience is an essential virtue when creating and adapting to an effective grazing program. Achieving meaningful results requires time and consistent effort, especially when implementing a dedicated graze-rest strategy designed to enhance the health of rangelands and the soils that sustain these ecosystems.

Transitioning from Continuous Grazing Practices

It is important to acknowledge that moving away from the continuous grazing practices of the past and into a planned-adaptive graze-rest program will not yield immediate results. The journey toward improved rangeland health and soil recovery is a long-term process, often taking years to reach the intended goals. This gradual approach allows the land to recover and thrive under the guidance of a well-structured grazing plan.

Continuous Improvement and Realistic Goals

As progress is made, the process can become more challenging when initial goals are met and new, higher objectives emerge. The question arises: Where is the ultimate point of ranchland recovery? It is becoming clear that there may not be a definitive endpoint. Instead, reaching a level of recovery and productivity that the producer can justify for themselves and their family’s needs and desires is a worthy and sufficient accomplishment. In a self-determining society, having the freedom to set and pursue individual goals is a valuable aspect of managing rangeland resources.

This enhanced grazing area features Indian grass, Little Blue, Side Oats, and KR Bluestem, with Big Blue nearby. The turf is dense and free of bare spots. After a severe four-year drought that almost led to livestock removal, rains in April reversed the situation. Though rain totals were modest, recovery in six months exceeded pre-drought conditions—an outcome not seen under traditional continuous grazing.

The Better it gets, the faster it gets better