. Best management practices for grazing Montana . Grazing; Range management. Forestland grazing units often contain various plant communities with very ditterent forage value ratings. Because ot these differences in forage quantity and quality, livestock tend to concentrate in more preferred areas and avoid others. Livestock will also concentrate in areas that have fewer limitations to grazing accessibility, such as on flat slopes or near water. In forestland, cattle prefer to graze in different areas, due to a variety of reasons. Their general preferences in descending order are: 1. Open mead
. Best management practices for grazing Montana . Grazing; Range management. Forestland grazing units often contain various plant communities with very ditterent forage value ratings. Because ot these differences in forage quantity and quality, livestock tend to concentrate in more preferred areas and avoid others. Livestock will also concentrate in areas that have fewer limitations to grazing accessibility, such as on flat slopes or near water. In forestland, cattle prefer to graze in different areas, due to a variety of reasons. Their general preferences in descending order are: 1. Open meadows 2. Riparian areas 3. Open grasslands 4. Roads and clearings 5. Clear-cuts and seeded areas 6. Open canopy forest 7. Closed canopy forest. In forestland, cattle pre/cr to gra^c in diffcri^nt areiLs, due to a variety of reasons. If left to follow their own desires, cattle will feed up to 80 percent of the time in meadiiws, riparian areas, and open grasslands. To prevent continual overgrazing, move livestock out of these preferred areas. This can he accomplished by developing water sources in other areas, fencing, salting away from water, herding, removing debris, and clearing trails for easier access. Opportunities for structural improvements to distribute livestock in forestlands are often limited due to the large size of grazing units, multiple landowners, variability in terrain and vegetation, and potential impact from timber operations. Carefully consider maintenance costs when designing structural improvements in forestland settings. Developing additional water sources is often the most efficient way to redistribute grazing. Livestock will generally not graze far from water, and will avoid areas with no water. Studies show that in steep forestlands, cattle will travel only one-quarter mile away from water. In gently sloping forestlands, they will travel one-half mile away. This explains why areas near water sources tend to become over grazed, but it also demonstrates how
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, booksubjectgrazing, booksubjectrangemanagement
