Desirable seeding methods to rehabilitate degraded rangelands

Authors: Clements, Darin; Harmon, Daniel

Submitted to: Popular Publication
Publication Type: Popular Publication
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/22/2026
Publication Date: 2/10/2026
Citation: Clements, D.D., Harmon, D.N. 2026. Desirable seeding methods to rehabilitate degraded rangelands. Progressive Rancher. 26(2):31-33.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Great Basin rangelands are some of the most at-risk ecosystems due to the invasion of exotic and invasive species, increased wildfire frequencies and aridity. Since the late 1800s, sagebrush ecosystems in the western United States have declined from an estimated 62 million acres, down to 32 million acres. Cheatgrass is a primary driver of fire dynamics in sagebrush ecosystems because it recruits well following fire and other disturbances, thus creating continuous fine-textured early maturing fuel that increase the chance, rate, spread and season of wildfires. Cheatgrass has decreased wildfire return intervals from an estimated 60-110 years to as frequent as every 5-10 years, which significantly reduces the recovery of native species and further promotes cheatgrass expansion. The establishment of perennial grasses is critically important in suppressing cheatgrass densities and associated fuels, reducing wildfire threats, increasing water infiltration, decreasing soil erosion, and allowing succession to proceed and improve sustainable grazing and wildlife resources. Restoration or rehabilitation of Great Basin rangelands is difficult due to extreme variability in soil types, climate, plant communities, and topography. In more recent times, there have been added concerns of drill seeding on Great Basin rangelands due to soil disturbance and the association of this disturbance to increase cheatgrass invasion. The ecology of cheatgrass does not require mechanical disturbances to invade or dominate habitats. When a drill seeding fails the chances of cheatgrass or other invasive weeds dominating the site are quite high. This is also true for sites that receive aerial seeding treatments as well as sites that do not receive any treatments. Soil health is critical to sustaining productive healthy plant communities therefore, the conservation of soil is important as soil scientists have reported that it can take a thousand years to replace 1 inch of lost fertile topsoil. Establishing desirable perennial plant species protects against added erosion and loss of topsoil. Perennial grasses on the other hand experience much higher success rates when drill seeded. For example, we drill seeded bluebunch wheatgrass @ 4, 8, and 12 lbs per acre rate and yielded 15, 17, and 17 grasses/m², respectfully, after 2 years. In comparison, we broadcasted at 8, 12, and 16 lbs/acre (always suggested to broadcast at higher rates) and yielded 1, 3, and 3/m², respectfully. This pattern held true for Siberian wheatgrass, crested wheatgrass and Thickspike wheatgrass. Bottlebrush squirreltail (which was near zero) failed using both methods. Sandberg’s bluegrass was an exception. We drill seeded bluegrass @ 1, 2, and 4 lbs/acre rate compared to a broadcast rate of 2,4, and 8 lbs/acre rate. Drill seeded bluegrass resulted in 19, 22, and 17 plantes/m², while broadcast seeding resulted in 23, 30, and 28 plants/m². Seeding rates and seed mixes are complimentary when correctly implemented as well as effective and efficient weed control efforts. When possible, resource managers and landowners should use drill seeding to successfully establish perennial grasses at densities necessary to suppress exotic and invasive weeds such as cheatgrass.