Exciting things are happening on rangeland that has been properly cared for through utilization of a carefully planned and applied graze-rest program. The recent rainfall across the area, granted more in places than other, is proving exceptionally valuable on areas that have a continuous cover of healthy perennial grass plants. Even the places that received sparser amounts of moisture are showing amazing recovery from the limited rainfall of late winter and spring. Regretfully, but fully expected, the areas that have not recovered from past continuous and sometimes heavy grazing are struggling to achieve the growth needed to allow the rangeland manager to be assured of good grazing through the summer season. Leaving that producer dependent of “a good follow-up rain soon” of course all concerned will thankfully take it if the Lord sees fit to send it. Recovery of rangeland is a slow process and is directly proportional to the brittleness (Total rainfall and low humidity levels) of the environment the rangeland manager is working within.
This view of a good stand of Big Bluestem was taken across the fence on a neighbor’s place. (Awesome indication of outstanding grazing management of Jim and IW Terry, right Sarena Wright Terry?) In the country that we manage, any time Big Blue is found it is an indicator of good to most likely excellent rangeland management. Most ranchmen have never seen the likes on their country.
This photo indicates how two different grazing programs, except for GRAZE-REST commonality, can be successful. Developing a program that works for each manger is important, but it must always involve GRAZE-REST.
Rangelands and Ranching 