After approaching four years of extended drought and having exhausted all drought management options, total liquidation of the livestock was imminent. Thankfully the rains began to fall in mid-April, not large amounts .87” the largest rain event, but consistent small rains continuing from April to the current date. Along with relatively cool spring temperature’s, excellent growth and recovery of the rangeland has been achieved. (Seldom does this combination of rains and cool temps occur even during high rainfall times.) Past graze-rest adaptive grazing is paying excellent benefits as the photo below shows.

Big Blue (Center of picture) and Indian Grass (Upper center, just above Big Blue) are showing excellent recovery even though grazed to the ground during the dry spell. Some would say to never graze that short and I would concur, but under extended drought conditions that seems to occur often. Obviously, the root systems of both plants were healthy enough to recover quickly under those extenuating circumstances. Perhaps the rocky terrain helped, as the livestock could not graze so close as to ‘grub’ the roots below the surface. Of important note Sideoats, Texas Cup, Green Sprangle Top and Silver Bluestem are doing well, but they were not grazed to the ground as the highly palatable Indian and Big Blue were.

The Better It Gets, The Fast It Gets Better