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ARS Home » Plains Area » Miles City, Montana » Livestock and Range Research Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #88742
Title: IMPACTS OF VARIOUS LIVESTOCK GRAZING STRATEGIES ON NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS RANGELANDS

Author
item Heitschmidt, Rodney
item Haferkamp, Marshall

Submitted to: Research Update for Fort Keogh Livestock and Range Research Laboratory
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/1/1997
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Research has been initiated to determine the long-term (25 years) effects of seven grazing treatments on rangeland ecosystems. Treatments are: 1) a 3-pasture, 1-herd, twice over rotation; 2)1-pasture, 1-herd, season long; 3) 12-pasture, 1-herd, high intensity, low frequency; 4) 15- pasture, 1-herd, short duration; 5) 3-pasture, 1-herd, winter rotation; 6) 1-pasture, 1-herd, spring calving pasture; and 7) frequent and intense. Treatments 1-6 are all stocked at the exact same moderate rate whereas treatment 7 is stocked at an excessively heavy rate. A wide array of variables will be monitored to assess ecological impacts.

Technical Abstract: Research has been initiated to determine the long-term (25 years) effects of seven grazing treatments on rangeland ecosystems. Treatments are: 1) a 3-pasture, 1-herd, twice over rotation; 2)1-pasture, 1-herd, season long; 3) 12-pasture, 1-herd, high intensity, low frequency; 4) 15- pasture, 1-herd, short duration; 5) 3-pasture, 1-herd, winter rotation; 6) 1-pasture, 1-herd, spring calving pasture; and 7) frequent and intense. Treatments 1-6 are all stocked at the exact same moderate rate whereas treatment 7 is stocked at an excessively heavy rate. A wide array of variables will be monitored to assess ecological impacts.