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Grazing and Grazing Management. Positive Impacts. Proper management Reduced erosion Improved water quality Food for wildlife Habitat and cover for wildlife Increased wildlife populations. NRCS photo. NRCS photo. Positive Impacts. Rotational Grazing Stronger, thicker grass stand
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Positive Impacts • Proper management • Reduced erosion • Improved water quality • Food for wildlife • Habitat and cover for wildlife • Increased wildlife populations NRCS photo NRCS photo
Positive Impacts • Rotational Grazing • Stronger, thicker grass stand • Crowd out undesirable weeds • Less soil erosion • Improved water quality • Removal of deteriorating vegetation • Increase of diversity through increase forbs NRCS photo
Positive Impacts • Improved Forages • Small mammal & upland game birds • Energy-rich seeds • Vegetation • Cover • Forbs • Grasshoppers
Positive Impacts • Improved Habitat • Grazing – patchy, mosaic pattern • Feeding, nesting, and hiding sites • Encouraged establishment of shrubs • Ground squirrels and small rodents • Birds of prey • Selective grazing • Create travel corridors • Remove rank grass NRCS photo
Potential Negative Impacts • Improper Grazing • Reduced nest sites for upland game and waterfowl • Decreased water quality • Trampled nests for waterfowl • Disturbed big game during fawning • Reduced cover that permits wildlife to hide from predators
Potential Negative Impacts, Cont. • Improper Grazing, continued • Reduced biomass of desirable wildlife forage • Increased noxious weed populations • Decreased vegetative diversity for bird, mammal, and insect communities • Increased attraction of predators • Potential spread of parasites or disease
Key Elements - Grazing Management • Each operation is UNIQUE • Key elements • Root Growth • Overgrazing • 50% or more of plant is removed
Best Management Practices • Subdivide large pastures into smaller pastures • Rotation • Corral – hay • 50% of grass has been eaten • Winter – continue pasture rotation
Best Management Practices • Long rest periods or • High-intensity, short-duration • Water source • Irrigate after grazing • Do not graze on wet soils. NRCS photos
Best Management Practices • Grazing Schedule • Depends upon • Climate • Moisture • Provide Water • Both wildlife and livestock benefit • Divide into small pastures