Lawson Aerator applications on rangelands: Lessons learned

Authors: Clements, Darin; Harmon, Daniel; MCLAIN, JOHN - Resource Concepts

Submitted to: Rangelands
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/1/2025
Publication Date: 4/17/2026
Citation: Clements, D.D., Harmon, D.N., McLain, J. 2026. Lawson Aerator applications on rangelands: Lessons learned. Rangelands. 48(2):56-62.

Interpretive Summary: Grazing resources are often limited due to older more decadent shrub communities that use up valuable and limited resources at the expense of perennial herbaceous species that provide sustainable grazing resources. Traditional range improvement practices that include mechanical and chemical control of old, decadent, dense stands of shrubs can be beneficial in improving stand densities of perennial herbaceous species. Heavy duty implements designed and built for manipulating rangeland vegetation and soils have been around for many decades. In the 1950’s, the early development of the Rangeland Drill resulted in the effective seeding of hundreds of thousands of acres of big sagebrush rangelands to increase perennial grasses in an effort to curb erosion, reduce the spread of the noxious weed Halogeton and increase the forage base for the livestock industry. Rangeland plows, dixie harrows, chaining, brush hogs as well as other pieces of equipment have played an important role in brush control efforts in rangeland improvement efforts. The Lawson Aerator is one of the newer implements to enter the scene of rangeland improvement projects. Although the Lawson Aerator was originally designed as a pasture renovator in southern states to combat woody species invasion, this implement became more popular in brush control in western states. Using the Lawson Aerator as a mechanical vegetation manipulation tool has the ability to significantly increase sustainable grazing resources, while at the same time improve edge affect and wildlife use, including mule deer, pronghorn antelope and Hungarian partridge. Two of the three demonstration plots we treated with the Lawson Aerator and followed up with seeding of perennial grasses resulted in a 4-fold increase in perennial grass densities as well as increasing available forage by more than 1,000%. When there is evidence that perennial grasses are present, such as Great Basin wildrye, it can be very beneficial to manipulate the shrub community and release remnant vegetation and improve stand vigor, grazing resources, and wildlife habitat. Landowners and resource managers should take a closer look at using this implement to improve degraded shrub habitats and improve herbaceous species composition.

Technical Abstract: Shrub communities can become dense over time and suppress herbaceous vegetation critical for sustainable grazing and wildlife resources. Shrub stands can also become old and decadent as shrub stand age can result in reduced productivity and nutritional value. Traditional range improvement practices that include mechanical and chemical control of shrubs can be beneficial in improving age classes of shrubs and increase densities of perennial herbaceous species. Heavy duty implements designed and built for manipulating rangeland vegetation and soils have been around for many decades. Rangeland plows, dixie harrows, chaining, brush hogs as well as other pieces of equipment have played an important role in brush control efforts in rangeland improvement efforts. The Lawson Aerator is one of the newer implements to enter the scene of rangeland improvement projects. Although the Lawson Aerator was originally designed as a pasture renovator in southern states to combat woody species invasion, this implement became more popular in brush control in western states. Three separate sites are described in this paper following the implementation of treating each site with the Lawson Aerator. Two out of the three demonstration plots reacted positively to the use of the Lawson Aerator for brush control and significantly increased perennial grass densities and available forage. One of the demonstration plots experienced > 1,000% increase in forage base following the use of the Lawson Aerator and seeding methodologies. The Lawson Aerator as a mechanical vegetation manipulation tool has the ability to significantly increase sustainable grazing resources, while at the same time improve edge affect and wildlife use, including mule deer, pronghorn antelope and Hungarian partridge. When there is evidence that perennial grasses are present, such as Great Basin wildrye, it can be very beneficial to manipulate the shrub community and release remnant vegetation and improve stand vigor, grazing resources, and wildlife habitat. Landowners and resource managers should take a closer look at using this implement to improve degraded shrub habitats and improve herbaceous species composition.