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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Burns, Oregon » Range and Meadow Forage Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #426363
Research Project: Sagebrush Rangeland Conservation and Restoration

Location: Range and Meadow Forage Management Research

Title: Effects of long-term grazing at different intensities on herbaceous biomass in southeast Oregon sagebrush steppe

Author
item Bates, Jonathan
item Davies, Kirk
item Copeland, Stella
item O'Connor, Rory
item Svejcar, Lauren
item CLENET, DANIELLE - Oregon State University

Submitted to: Rangeland Ecology and Management
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/27/2025
Publication Date: 11/1/2025
Citation: Bates, J.D., Davies, K.W., Copeland, S.M., O'Connor, R.C., Svejcar, L.N., Clenet, D.R. 2025. Effects of long-term grazing at different intensities on herbaceous biomass in southeast Oregon sagebrush steppe. Rangeland Ecology and Management. 103(2025)307-317. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rama.2025.08.017.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rama.2025.08.017

Interpretive Summary: Information on the effects of long-term cattle grazing at different intensities to herbage production in the sagebrush steppe is lacking. We measured herbaceous biomass response to deferred rotation cattle grazing at light, moderate and high intensities spanning eighteen years (2007-2024) on burned big sagebrush steppe in eastern Oregon. Standing crop decreased as grazing intensity increased but recovered with one or two years of grazing rest and annual forage production did not differ among the grazed and non-use treatments. Thus, grazing intensity in the deferred rotation program had no effect on long-term forage production. Annual weather accounted for variabilities in forage production measured for the various grazed and ungrazed treatments.

Technical Abstract: Information on the effects of long-term cattle grazing at different intensities to herbage production following fire in the sagebrush steppe is lacking. We measured herbaceous biomass response to cattle grazing spanning eighteen years (2007-2024) on burned Wyoming big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis Beetle & Young) steppe in eastern Oregon. Treatments were applied in a randomized complete block design, included no grazing on burned (Non-use) and unburned (Control) sagebrush steppe; and cattle grazing at low (Low), moderate (Moderate), and high (High) stocking. All grazed treatments were by deferred rotation. Deferred rotation consisted of grazing during the active growing season (Mid-May to early June) once every three years followed by two years of grazing during summer herbaceous dormancy (July, August or September). Herbage was sorted by herbaceous functional group which included an early season bunchgrass (Sandberg bluegrass [Poa secunda J. Presl]), tall perennial bunchgrasses, perennial forbs, cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum L.), and annual forbs. Both standing crop and annual net primary production (ANPP, current year’s growth) of functional groups were evaluated by repeated measures analysis. Standing crop decreased as grazing intensity increased but recovered with one or two years of grazing rest. Herbaceous functional group ANPP did not differ among the burned treatments (grazed, non-use) and total and perennial bunchgrass production were all greater than the Control. Grazing intensity in the deferred rotation program had no effect on long-term ANPP. Annual weather events accounts for ANPP variability measured for the various grazed and ungrazed treatments.