528_design_install_checkout_guide.pdf

USDA-NRCS – North Dakota FOTG – Section IV – Conservation Practices

Design and Installation Guide – 528 June 2006

DESIGN AND INSTALLATION GUIDE

Prescribed Grazing - 528

PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS

The timing, intensity, degree of use, frequency, duration, and season of grazing will be manipulated to promote ecologically sound and economically stable plant communities, which will sustain the resource and meet the landowner's objectives.

Prescribed grazing schedule:

A properly designed prescribed grazing schedule will meet the producer's goals, ensure maintenance and/or improvement of the plant resource by incorporating adequate recovery/rest periods during the growing season, and meet the needs of the grazing animal. The number of pastures included in the prescribed grazing sequence and the number of times an individual pasture is grazed during the grazing season is the decision of the producer. Adequate recovery/rest periods for grazed plants cannot be attained with continuous, season-long grazing of a single pasture.

Livestock movements should be based on plant growth and utilization, not calendar dates.

Calendar dates may be used as a guide when developing grazing schedules. See Chapter 5 part 600.0500(e) of the National Range and Pasture Handbook for additional information on prescribed grazing schedules. http://www.glti.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/publications/nrph.html

When two or more pastures are planned to be grazed only one time during the growing season, the same pasture will not be grazed during the same period of the growing season in consecutive years.

On rangeland, grazing periods should be alternated from year-to-year to ensure that either cool season or warm season grasses receive deferment during the majority of their critical growth period.

Critical growth period for cool season grasses is April 15 to June 30 and warm season grasses is June 1 to August 31.

When two or more pastures are planned to be grazed two or more times during a growing season, plan the grazing sequence to avoid grazing the same pasture during the same portion of the growing season in consecutive years. Plan the recovery/rest periods so the grazed plants in each pasture will receive adequate time to replenish leaf area and carbohydrate reserves.

RECOVERY/REST PERIOD GUIDELINES:

Rangeland fast growth May-June slow growth July-August west (MLRA's 53, 54, 58) minimum of 45 days minimum of 65 days east (MLRA's 55 & 56) minimum of 30 days minimum of 45 days

Under drought conditions, recovery periods may need to be extended to 90 days or longer.

Tame (cool season) pasture fast growth May-June slow growth July-August west (MLRA's 53, 54, 58) minimum of 25 days minimum of 35 days east (MLRA's 55 & 56) minimum of 15 days minimum of 25 days http://www.glti.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/publications/nrph.html

Winter grazing of rangeland and pasture land is permissible provided grazing is done when plants are dormant and adequate cover is maintained to protect the soil resource. Plant dormancy is generally considered to occur from November 15 to April 15. Summer grazing (June 1 to September

1) of pastures that will be used for winter grazing is also permissible provided recovery period guidelines are met. To maintain plant health, grazing winter pastures from April 15 to June 1 and September 1 to November 15 should be avoided. If properly timed, summer grazing may enhance the nutritional quality of the forage for winter grazing.

Changing season of use on special-use pastures such as a crested wheatgrass spring pasture or a pasture(s) seeded to warm season grasses for summer grazing is not required. In situations where all or a majority of the pastures are cool season introduced grasses/legumes (i.e. expired CRP fields), changing the grazing sequence from year-to-year is beneficial to maintaining plant vigor.

Grazing periods should be kept as short as practical provided adequate recovery periods are maintained. Keeping the grazing periods as short as practical, especially during periods of fast plant growth, will minimize the opportunity for the grazing animals to graze plant regrowth prior to plant recovery.

These recovery guidelines will be used in the development of the initial prescribed grazing schedule.

As the producer gains experience, grazing and recovery periods may be adjusted to reflect actual growing conditions.

The prescribed grazing sequence may be changed for short periods to take advantage of seasonal forages, such as Kentucky bluegrass, annual forages, or crop aftermath.

Grazing prescriptions may need to be changed or adjusted when significant changes occur in plant vigor or composition, animal kinds or classes, and management objectives.

Where needed, grazing prescriptions will be adjusted to maintain or improve riparian and associated upland vegetation, in accordance with the producer's goals and objectives.

A monitoring program is needed to document actual grazing dates, livestock performance, climatic conditions, utilization, and vegetation changes over time. This is needed to analyze results and to develop the following year's grazing schedule.

Livestock movements between pastures should be planned so that livestock stress is minimized.

Grazing schedule and livestock movements may also be designed to help break some parasite life cycles.

Degree of use:

Utilization (degree of use) or stubble height target levels are monitoring tools that can be used to help ensure that resource conservation and producer objectives are met.

Grazing use on key range grasses (rangeland) and key forage species (pastureland) should be maintained at levels which meet the client’s goals and objectives for the prescribed grazing system. These goals and objectives will be documented on the ND-CPA-556 and/or the assistance notes.

The planned target utilization levels needed to meet these goals and objectives for selected key species on rangeland will be documented on the ND-CPA-414. On pastureland, planned target stubble heights for key forage species will be documented on the ND-CPA-528. At a minimum, actual use levels will be documented during annual follow-up at the end of the growing season on the ND-CPA-414 (rangeland) and/or ND-CPA-528 (pastureland).

If actual utilization levels exceed those identified as needed to meet the producer’s objectives, the reason will be documented (e.g. drought, too much time spent in a pasture, too many animals, combination of reasons) in the assistance notes. As needed, the prescribed grazing schedule and/or the livestock/forage balance will be re-planned for the following year, incorporating necessary changes so that proper utilization levels are achieved.

UTILIZATION GUIDELINES

Producer’s goal Recommended use level

Maintain or improve plant health and vigor on rangeland 50 to 60% Maintain or improve forage quantity and quality on rangeland 50 to 60% Provide or improve nesting cover for grassland nesting birds on rangeland 40 to 50%

Maintain or improve forage quantity and quality on pastureland See Table 2, Appendix A for minimum leaf length

On rangeland, Table 1 and Figures 1, 2, and 3 in Appendix A provide a guide for estimating percent of plant weight removed in relation to percent of the plant height removed for various species.

On pastureland, Table 2 in Appendix A provides a guide for minimum heights of key forage species for initiating and terminating grazing

Final utilization determinations should generally be made at or near the end of the growing season. However, reviewing utilization levels after each grazing event permits the producer to make adjustments to the grazing plan in order to better achieve the desired levels of utilization.

See Chapter 5, part 600.0500(c), of the National Range and Pasture Handbook for additional guidance on selecting key species, degree of use determinations, and key area selection.

http://www.glti.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/publications/nrph.html

CONSIDERATIONS

Other practices, such as water developments (water well - 642, pipeline - 516, watering facility - 614, spring development - 574 and pond - 378) and fence (382) may be used to facilitate prescribed grazing.

The proper placement of supplemental feed, water, salt, minerals, or insect control devices can be used to facilitate grazing distribution throughout a pasture. Improper placement can have negative impacts on the soil, water, air, plant, and animal resources.

Livestock water supply must be adequate in quantity and quality to meet the demands of the livestock over the specified grazing period in each pasture.

Every grazing program must be tailored to the producer's goals and resources. Animal husbandry requirements, such as breeding programs, calving or lambing, shearing, and animal health, must be considered when designing the prescribed grazing plan. Grazing should be applied in accordance with forage quality and quantity criteria that best meets the production requirements for the kind and/or class of animal. Livestock fecal sampling, plant tissue analysis and the Nutritional Balance Analyzer (NutBal) software are useful tools to monitor the nutritional status of grazing animals.

A "twice-over" prescribed grazing schedule has demonstrated improved nutritional quality throughout much of the growing season.

Timely follow-up and monitoring during the growing season to determine degree of use after each grazing event will permit adjustments to the grazing schedule and/or stocking rate during the growing season to ensure proper utilization levels of key species are attained at the end of the growing season.

The use of annual forages may be a consideration when balancing forage needs on a short-term basis. Additional information on annual forages for grazing may be found at:

http://www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/dickinso/research/1996/grazforg.htm http://www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/dickinso/research/1998/range98n.htm

Prescribed Grazing should consider the needs of other enterprises utilizing the same land, such as wildlife and recreational uses. Grazing periods may be altered as needed to attain utilization levels that benefit ground nesting grassland birds, waterfowl and other wildlife species. The long term impacts of these adjustments on the health of the plant community should be evaluated and understood by the producer.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

A prescribed grazing schedule will be prepared for all fields and pastures, incorporating any additional feed supplementation for the operating unit or portion of an operating unit being addressed. Prescribed grazing schedules will be recorded in a manner that is readily understood and useable by the producer in his/her daily operations. The manner of documentation will depend upon the size and complexity of the operating unit and the details required for a grazing prescription.

A prescribed grazing schedule will incorporate the following information:

1. Forage inventory - Document the expected forage quantity and quality for each grazing unit and when it is available. Also document any special problems restricting forage availability or nutritional quality, such as toxic plants or mixed land uses. ND-CPA -19 Grazing Land Forage Inventory Summary (hardcopy or electronic) shall be used for documentation. See Appendix C for inventory procedures.

2. Animal inventory - Document animal numbers or animal unit equivalents and forage demands by day, week, or month, nutritional surpluses or deficiencies from the forage resource, and supplemental feed requirements for each kind and class of domestic livestock and grazing/browsing wildlife species of concern. Also, document any special needs of animals such as nesting cover, shelter, et al. ND-CPA -1, Livestock Forage Balance Sheet (hardcopy or electronic) shall be used for documentation. See Appendix C for inventory procedures.

3. A grazing schedule which identifies both planned and applied periods of grazing, recovery/rest, and other treatment activities for each grazing unit. ND-CPA-556, Prescribed Grazing Schedule (hardcopy or electronic) shall be used for documentation.

4. A monitoring plan will be implemented to document resource conditions and changes. At a minimum, one of the following monitoring options will be used on each land use (rangeland and/or pasture land).

Photo points as outlined in Appendix A (applicable to both rangeland and pasture land) ND-CPA-414 (rangeland only) supported by one of the following:

o Utilization clipping using forage production cages o ND-CPA-414, Estimated Utilization: Key area - key species o Actual Weight Transect method. Consult area or State specialist for guidance on transect protocol or see procedure outlined on page 103 of 1996 interagency publication “Utilization Studies and Residual Measurements” available at http://www.blm.gov/nstc/library/pdf/utilstudies.pdf

ND-CPA-415, Landscape Appearance for each pasture in the rotation.

ND-CPA-528, Pasture Management Design and Documentation (pasture land only)

Depending upon the producer’s goals and objectives, additional monitoring may be desirable but is optional. Assistance is available on a case-by-case basis from the area or State specialist.

http://www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/dickinso/research/1996/grazforg.htm http://www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/dickinso/research/1998/range98n.htm http://www.blm.gov/nstc/library/pdf/utilstudies.pdf

Note: If actual degree of use levels exceed that established by the producer to meet his/her goals, adjustments will be made so that livestock forage demand and production are in balance. See Chapter 5 part 600.0500(c), National Range and Pasture Handbook for guidance on selecting key species, degree of use determinations, and key area selection.

http://www.glti.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/publications/nrph.html

5. A drought contingency plan, which provides guidelines for adjusting the grazing prescription to ensure resource management and economic feasibility without resource degradation, will part of the overall grazing strategy. See Appendix B for drought management guidelines and options.

OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE

Operation: The producer will apply prescribed grazing on a continuing basis, making adjustments as needed to insure the objectives are met.

Maintenance: Periodic on site follow-up with the producer should be done to evaluate the results of the grazing prescription. If the planned goals or objectives are not being met or there is degradation of any of the resources, including animal performance, the prescription will be adjusted to ensure resources are maintained/improved and objectives are met.

Design and Installation Guide – 528 Appendix A

APPENDIX A

Prescribed Grazing Monitoring

Grazing land monitoring is the orderly collection, analysis, and interpretation of resource information which can be used to make both short- and long-term management decisions.

Monitoring provides the information needed to determine if current management is moving the resource toward or away from the desired condition and/or goal.

The following tables and diagrams provide information useful for determining utilization levels on key species and recommended leaf lengths for initiating and ending grazing periods. Instructions on the establishment of photo point monitoring are also included. Many other monitoring techniques are available. Each technique varies as to the type of information collected, intensity of data collection, and amount of time required to collect the data. For information on other monitoring techniques, contact the area or state rangeland management specialist.

TABLE 1. Percent Weight Removed as a Relationship to Percent Height Removed

Species 10 20 30 40 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95 Big Bluestem 2 6 11 17 23 30 35 41 46 54 62 71 79 89 Blue Grama 2 4 6 9 13 15 17 20 25 28 35 42 53 75 Buffalograss 2 5 7 11 18 21 32 35 38 45 53 62 71 77 Crested Wheatgrass 2 4 7 11 18 24 29 33 38 44 53 60 68 83 Green Needlegrass 2 4 6 11 16 20 25 30 36 44 52 61 71 85 Kentucky Bluegrass 1 3 5 9 14 16 20 26 34 40 47 57 71 85 Little Bluestem 1 4 9 15 23 27 32 37 41 47 53 61 70 82 Needleandthread 1 2 4 6 10 12 15 19 24 29 36 46 56 73

Wetland Sedge 2 5 9 13 18 21 26 31 39 46 54 62 73 86 Prairie Junegrass 2 4 6 9 13 16 18 21 25 30 35 42 55 69 Prairie Sandreed 2 6 11 17 23 30 35 41 46 54 62 71 79 89 Prairie Threeawn 2 6 11 17 26 30 36 42 46 53 61 70 78 89 Sandberg Bluegrass 1 2 4 8 11 14 16 19 24 30 37 46 56 75 Sand Dropseed 1 3 5 8 12 17 21 25 30 35 46 56 68 83 Sideoats Grama 1 3 5 9 14 18 23 27 32 39 47 56 66 80 Slender Wheatgrass 2 6 9 12 17 21 27 31 36 42 51 59 69 80 Smooth Bromegrass 3 6 11 15 19 27 32 37 45 52 58 63 82 92 Switchgrass 2 5 9 13 20 26 30 36 42 50 59 58 76 89 Upland Sedge 2 4 6 10 15 17 21 27 34 41 48 59 73 86 Western Wheatgrass 2 6 11 17 26 32 37 44 50 58 66 74 82 91

To use this table, first calculate the percent of the height of the plant removed by grazing. Find this figure on the top line of the table and then follow that column down to the appropriate species. This figure represents an estimate of the percent of the weight removed.

% Use

Figure 1. Western wheatgrass. 1 Figure 2. Needle-and-thread. 1

0 10 30 50 60 80

Figure 3. Green needlegrass. 1

1 "Monitoring Montana Rangeland". Montana State University Extension Service. 1999.

TABLE 2. Minimum Heights of Pasture Species for Initiating and Terminating Grazing

Begin Grazing End Grazing

Species

Minimum & Optimum Height of Vegetative

Growth in Inches Approximate

Date Minimum

Stubble Height in Inches

Minimum Regrowth

Before Killing Frost in

Inches Alfalfa 6 – 10 May 15 3 8 Biennial sweetclover 6 – 10 May 1 2 - Big & Sand bluestem 8 – 14 July 1 6 6 Creeping foxtail 8 – 10 May 7 3 6 Crested wheatgrass 4 – 6 April 20 3 4 Green needlegrass 6 – 8 May 15 3 5 Indiangrass 8 – 14 July 1 6 6 Intermediate wheatgrass 8 – 14 May 15 4 6 Kentucky bluegrass 4 – 6 May 7 2 4 Little bluestem 4 – 6 July 1 3 4 Orchardgrass 6 – 10 May 15 4 6 Pubescent wheatgrass 8 – 14 May 15 4 6

Prairie sandreed 8 – 14 June 20 4 6 Reed canarygrass 8 – 8 May 7 4 6 Russian wildrye 4 – 4 May 7 3 4 Sideoats grama 4 – 6 June 20 2 4 Slender wheatgrass 6 – 12 May 7 3 6 Smooth brome 8 – 14 May 7 4 6 Switchgrass 12 – 20 June 20 8 10 Tall wheatgrass 8 – 14 May 7 4 6 Timothy 6 – 10 June 1 3 5 Western wheatgrass 6 – 10 May 15 4 5

Grass and legume mixtures should be grazed in a manner that favors the dominant or desired species.

Height is the average height when leaves are lifted in a vertical position.

PERMANENT PHOTO-POINT MONITORING 1

Repeated photographs taken at permanent locations are an effective and efficient method for long-term monitoring. When using this method, it is important to: 1) use similar techniques,

2) identify the date and location within the picture, 3) take the picture during the same stage of plant growth, 4) include the same skyline in the landscape picture, and 5) carefully relocate the photo points each time. It is also important to maintain consistency in camera type (lens size), film, timing, and associated documentation.

Repeated landscape scale photographs can provide basic documentation of range trend.

Landscape photos should be taken from the same designated point at approximately the same time of year. Photographs that include a distinctive landmark in the background or on the horizon are easier to relocate. It is very difficult to locate previously established photo points without a portion of the horizon in the photograph. Previous photographs (or photocopies) can also be helpful in "framing" the photo consistently from year to year.

Equipment:

• Baseline Information Form and Photo Point Transect form.

• Two, six foot folding carpenter rulers or other suitable device to provide a reference scale.

• A metal or plastic stake, approximately 24 inches in length, for marking the photo point.

• Camera (digital or 35mm with print film) and Photo Information Sheet.

Procedure:

• Establish the photo point, install a permanent marker stake. Stake should be driven into the soil to a depth at which it can be located but will not attract animals, injure an animal or puncture a tire. If available, record GPS coordinates to assist in re-location of the point.

• Complete the Baseline Information Form for the site.

• Using the two carpenters rulers, create a 3 ft. x 3 ft. square frame and lay it next to the marking stake or within a few feet of the stake (if the area adjacent to the stake has been disturbed by livestock) in the direction you will be taking the landscape photo. Standing over the frame, take a photograph looking down at the framed section. Try to avoid casting a shadow across the frame when taking this photo.

• From behind the stake, take a landscape photograph towards a re-locatable bearing point (This photo is illustrated on the following page).

• Use the Photo Information Sheet in all photographs, if possible. You will have a total of 2 photos per point.

Notes:

• A single photograph from a permanently marked site (fence post, rock, etc.) of a stream crossing, gully, headcut or other impacted site can be very effective in demonstrating resource recovery or the need to modify current management.

• Finding the location of an old photograph (scenery, fishing trip with a stream in the background, etc.) and retaking it can provide good information on past use and trend of a site.

Things to remember

• Take photos of the plot and of the general view.

• If retaking photos, try to match the plot frame size used previously.

• If the photo plot is difficult to locate use a witness post. Make sure the photo plot is at least 20 feet away from the post. For all photo points consistently document the photo plot location with respect to the witness post.

• Include the Photo Information Sheet in the photo. Colored paper works best as white is too bright. Photo information sheets need to be large enough to be legible in the photo.

• The photo should usually be taken from the north side of the plot to avoid casting a shadow into the photo.

• Photos should be repeated annually, at the same time of the growing season.

Sample of a general landscape monitoring photo

1 “Wyoming Rangeland Monitoring Guide”. August 2001.

Photo Information Sheet

(example)

Transect ID: ___#1__ Date: __9-30-03_ Observer: __Joe____________

Pasture name or number: _____Pasture #6________

Period(s) of use: __5/21__ to ___5/31_; __8/10_ to __8/21_; _____ to ______

Photo point location: ____SWNE 10-129-38_________________________

GPS coordinates: ____GPS-UTM 5191148 N. 627345 E._________________

Direction photo was taken: ____________Southeast____________________

Photo subject: ____General landscape_______________________________

Purpose of photo: ___prescribed grazing documentation for 2003________

Photo Information Sheet

Transect ID: ___________ Date: ___________ Observer: ___________

Pasture name or number: _______________________

Period(s) of use: ______ to _______; _______ to _______; _______ to______

Photo point location:______________________________________________

GPS coordinates: _________________________________________________

Direction photo was taken: _________________________________________

Photo subject: ___________________________________________________

Purpose of photo: ________________________________________________

Sample photo information sheet

Pasture Name:

Transect ID:

Observer:

Date:

Design and Installation Guide – 528 Appendix B

Appendix B

PRESCRIBED GRAZING DROUGHT MANAGEMENT CONTINGENCY PLAN 1

Drought is a constant and normal part of the rangeland environment. It is not a question of whether drought will occur, but when and how severe. In the North Dakota, ranchers are always in some phase of drought management. Ranchers who understand the need to prepare for, endure, and recover rapidly form drought will survive the guaranteed, but unpredictable drought cycles.

There is no special prescription for drought management. Good grazing land management is good drought management. This embodies utilizing a good prescribed grazing system which permits control of grazing frequency and intensity and provides proper recovery periods after grazing, proper livestock distribution, season of use, and stocking rate as well as kind and class of livestock. During a drought, there are no tricks to compensate for past overgrazing.

A basic understanding of the potential capabilities and limitations of all ranch resources is fundamental to sound management. High levels of plant vigor and range health are critical for the endurance of and rapid recovery from drought. It is equally important to know which practices optimize livestock performance, and minimize risk of financial loss. Drought considerations must be incorporated into each year’s management plan.

Additional information related to drought management may be found at:

http://www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/drought/drought.htm

Management Preparation for Drought

Drought will challenge the mental toughness of even the best of managers. Diverse practices can be used to maintain ownership of cows under drought conditions. Some ranches will liquidate or relocate part or all of their breeding stock. The value of keeping breeding herds on the ranch must be weighed against the additional costs that are probable when drought continues. Recovery of additional production costs will depend upon: (1) productivity of livestock,

(2) productivity of grazing lands, and (3) livestock market prices during and following drought.

Additional items to consider which may help you determine how much risk you can afford to accept:

Revisit family and ranch goals.

Evaluate short- and long-term family needs.

Re-evaluate current financial position, including financial assets and obligations.

Evaluate working relationship with your banker.

Willingness to accept the additional stress of added risk.

Ability to recover losses incurred during and following drought.

Desperation caused by financial problems can lead to the use of excessive stocking rates that reduce animal performance and cause dramatic reductions in plant vigor. Overgrazed land is also worth less to future buyers or renters. If serious financial problems exist before drought, it may be best to sell before remaining equity is lost or additional debt is incurred. Even when range livestock operations are solvent, it may be prudent to liquidate or relocate part or all of the breeding herd to avoid additional production costs or to avoid damaging range and pastureland.

Under severe or prolonged drought conditions the cost of replacement livestock is almost always less that the cost of long-term reductions in grazing land productivity.

Herd Management

The best alternative for drought management is to reduce total forage requirements. Reducing stocking rates during drought pays dividends in terms of:

Optimized animal performance Reduced supplemental and winter feeding costs Minimized damage to forage resources, and Enhanced range and pasture recovery following drought

Sell or relocate livestock as soon as shortages in forage and feed resources are anticipated because market value tends to be highest at the beginning of a regional drought. If additional shortages in forage occur, calculate the additional costs associated with keeping cows on the ranch (feed, interest, labor, etc.) or transporting the cows to another location with adequate feed or forage. If your calculations show an unreasonable high cost of producing a weaned calf, it may be prudent to sell or relocate part or the entire cow herd. The following practices can help to minimize liquidation of the breeding herd:

Early weaning can extend the forage base Practice early and heavy culling of less productive cows such as late calving cows and older cattle Remove yearlings from summer pastures early Consider curtailing production of replacement heifers for one year Bulls may need to be supplemented earlier than other classes of livestock to be in acceptable condition when the breeding season begins Maintain a percentage of the livestock as a readily marketable class of stock, such as yearlings or stockers

Past and Future Stocking Rates

Grazing management during years proceeding drought is a major factor in range vegetation response to drought. Managers may have assumed that no change in stocking rate has occurred on their ranches because they have not increased livestock numbers. The amount of forage consumed in a pasture depends upon animal size as well as animal numbers and days of grazing. The average size of cows, calves and yearlings has increased on many ranches over the past 10 years. A 10 to 40 percent increase in average animal weight should be equated to 7 to 28 percent increase in stocking rate. Inadvertent increases in stocking rates may lead to overgrazing and reduced plant vigor before drought. All range livestock producers need to critically evaluate their animal weights and use an appropriate animal unit (AU) equivalent when calculating stocking rates. Inadvertent overstocking may reduce animal performance and will damage the forage resource.

Drought Management Plans

A drought plan should minimize financial hardships and hasten vegetation recovery after drought.

Plans identify action to be taken at the first sign of drought as well as with continued indications of pending forage shortages. Plans for stocking rate adjustments need to be specific in terms of method and date. The timing of actions should be based upon seasonal check points. Critical evaluation dates at which livestock requirements are balanced with available forage and feed resources are:

April 15 – 30

• Determine average depth of moist soil and estimate probably stocking rates

• Assess growth of introduced cool season pastures.

• Evaluate stand quality and probably forage production of winter and spring cereals.

May 1 – 31

• Determine if yield of native cool season species on rangeland is above or below average.

• Monitor green-up of native warm season species on rangeland.

• Alternate forages, stocking rate reductions and/or modifications of grazing strategies may be needed if there is a delay in plant growth.

Note: Estimate probable stocking rates and alternative (annual) forages based upon April through May precipitation to compensate for forage production shortfalls on pasture and rangeland.

June 1 – 30

• Assess establishment and stand quality of summer annual forages and soil moisture conditions.

Note: Most plant growth in North Dakota occurs in June. If drought conditions have occurred in May and continue into June, forage production will be dramatically reduced for the season irrelevant to the amount of moisture received after June 30. Serious consideration should be given to stocking rate reductions and herd management as discussed in the “Herd Management” section.

July 1 – 30

• Determine if yield of native warm season species on rangeland is above or below average.

• Assess establishment and stand quality of late planted summer annual forages and soil moisture conditions.

August 1 – 30

• Estimate or measure yield of summer annuals harvested for feed or grown for late season grazing.

Note: The diet quality of annual forages declines dramatically after the soft dough stage.

If maximum tonnage is the objective, then harvesting after the soft dough stage may be desirable. If high forage quality is the objective, harvest at the late boot to soft dough stage.

September 1 – 30

• Assess current year and carry-over winter feed inventories. Purchase hay resources as needed.

• Make a final assessment of yield of annual forages grown for late season grazing.

• Inventory other harvested feed and determine the quantity of crop residue on cropland.

• Estimate amount of forage in winter pastures (if applicable).

October 1 – 30

• Use September through October precipitation to predict stocking rates for the next summer.

Note: Caution must be exercised. The color green can have profound psychological effects on range livestock producers. Even a small amount of spring or fall green-up can cause a false sense of security and delay of prudent management decisions. Premature, aggressive restocking can cause serious economic loss because of long-term reductions in the rate of vegetation recovery. If vegetation recovery is slow or restricted by continued drought, a destocking plan will be needed.

1 The majority of the information in this section was obtained from “Drought Management on Range and Pastureland – A handbook for Nebraska and South Dakota,” Nebraska Cooperative Extension EC91-123. Modifications were made to adjust guidelines for North Dakota.

Prescribed Grazing - Appendix C

NORTH DAKOTA NRCS

GRAZING LAND INVENTORY AND ANALYSIS PROCESS

Inventory process:

Following is the process which NRCS Field Office Staff will use to complete a grazing land (rangeland, pastureland, annual forages, hayland, and/or crop aftermath) inventory of grazing unit or ranch. This process should be completed with the producer in order to get a complete understanding of the operation. The inventory will provide the conservation planner and producer with good information about their physical, vegetative and animal resources to make decisions on conservation alternatives for improved grazing management. Discussions with the producer will be documented on the ND-CPA-6, Conservation Assistance Notes. Specific goals (e.g. utilization levels) for the prescribed grazing system will be documented on the ND-CPA-556.

Items Needed During the Inventory:

ND-CPA-415 Landscape Appearance worksheet ND-CPA-6 Conservation Assistance Notes ND-CPA-33 Forage Production Clipping Worksheet ND-CPA-20 Similarity Index Worksheet ND-CPA-30 Preference Based Stocking Rate Determination for Rangeland ND-CPA-31 Rangeland Apparent Trend Worksheet ND-CPA-32 Pasture Condition Score Sheet ND-CPA-1 Livestock Forage Balance Worksheet ND-CPA-52 Environmental Effects for Conservation Planning ND-CPA-19 Grazing Land Forage Inventory Summary Other Items needed:

• Clippers, 100 or 200 gram scale and bags

• 1.92 Sq ft clipping frame or larger

• Measuring ruler or tape in inches

• Table 1 from Appendix A of the 528 DIG - % Height to Weight Removed Chart

• Soil Field Guide for Identifying Ecological Sites, Version 1.4

• Ecological or range site descriptions

• Forage suitability group descriptions

• Soil maps and soil interpretations

• Sharp shooter (Shovel)

• Aerial photos

• Pencils and markers

• GPS, camera, binoculars (optional)

Physical Inventory:

The following existing structures will be noted on the inventory map during the on site inventory.

Include only the functional physical structures on the final Plan Land Use map by using the Standard Mapping Symbols. Use the Standard Mapping Symbols or toolkit supplied symbols where applicable and/or shorthand notes to identify the structures and give important information about the structures. If more information is needed, sub note the structure and discuss on back of inventory map or use additional note paper. Using color markers or highlighters can help make the situation standout more which will aid the planner to see existing resource situations and help identify where problems exist more readily. Again these colors should be used on the inventory map only. Do not place sensitive information such as cultural resource locations on the final conservation planning maps:

Prescribed Grazing Design and Installation Guide – 528 - Appendix C May 2008

Water developments – note type and reliability Existing fences – note type and condition Existing usable power sources for potential well sites Salt, mineral and creep feeder locations Trailing, gully erosion, blowout and other eroded areas

Vegetative Inventory:

The vegetative inventory process will help the planner and the producer assess the following:

Productivity and health of the existing vegetative resources Potential vegetative resources Livestock feed-forage balance Types, use, and location of available forages Types and location of noxious weeds Existing and potential wildlife habitat

Rangeland Procedure:

The following information will be collected throughout each rangeland pasture and over the entire rangeland resource. At a minimum, 2 key management sites which are representative of the operating unit (generally considered the two ecological sites which make up the majority of the acres of the operating unit) will be identified and the following information collected:

Similarity index – ND-CPA-20 Apparent Trend – ND-CPA-31

Sites where field data is collected (2 sites minimum) may also be used as future follow-up and monitoring locations. Therefore, it is important these locations be identified on the land use map with GPS coordinates and photos, if possible.

If time does not permit collection of data on other sites across the unit, the data collected at the two representative sites may be used as a reference to compare and interpret the resource condition of the same sites on other portions of the unit. Sites with similar production and/or similarity index to one of the representative sites on the unit may be noted on the planning map or appropriate inventory form.

Steps:

1. Identify and Mark the Sampling Location on the Inventory Map – Place a bracketed [R1] on the inventory map to identify the sampling location. R signifies that you are sampling rangeland, and the number 1 indicates this is your first sample point. Use this designation to identify this sampling point on all data collection forms and worksheets to tie the sample location on the inventory map to the information on the worksheets. Use of GPS coordinates is recommended to record site location.

2. Determine/verify the Ecological Site for this Sample Location – Use soil maps and soil interpretations along with the Soil Field Guide for Identifying Ecological Sites.

Indicate the ecological site determined on the inventory map by using the Ecological Site abbreviation (i.e. Ly for a Loamy ecological site). Accepted ecological site abbreviations can be found on pages 26 and 27 of Soil Field Guide for Identifying Ecological Sites

3. Determine Production – Use ND-CPA-33 worksheet when clipping or estimating the production at the sampling location. When using the ND-CPA-33 on rangeland, use the production obtained from column “M” as the “(I) Total annual biomass” on the ND-CPA-

20. When clipping to determine production, a minimum of three frames will be clipped and averaged per site.

Prescribed Grazing Design and Installation Guide – 528 - Appendix C

4. Determine Rangeland Similarity Index – Use ND-CPA-20 to determine the similarity index for the ecological site at the sample point.

5. Determine Apparent Trend – Use ND-CPA-31 to determine the apparent trend for the ecological site at the sampling location.

6. Utilization mapping (optional). Delineate major grazing use patterns within the pasture or evaluate the pasture as a whole using the ND-CPA-415. Indicate on the inventory map the appropriate landscape appearance class for the entire pasture or major use pattern within the pasture.

Tame Grass Pastures or Hayland Procedure:

The following information will be collected for tame grass pasture and hayland field(s). Collect an adequate number of samples that reflect the average productivity of the pasture or hayland fields across the operating unit.

Pasture production and forage species identified – ND-CPA-33.

Pasture Condition Score determined – ND-CPA-32.

Hayland – To determine hayland productivity, request yield data during producer interview or production clipping of representative site or consult appropriate Forage Suitability Group.

Sites where field data is collected may also be used as future follow-up and monitoring locations.

Therefore, it is important these locations be identified on the land use map with GPS coordinates and photos, if possible.

If time does not permit collection of data on all sites across the unit, the data collected at a couple of representative sites may be used as a reference to compare and interpret the resource condition of the same sites on other portions of the unit. Sites with similar production to one of the representative sites on the unit may be noted on the planning map or appropriate inventory form.

Steps:

1. Determine the Type of Forage to be Managed - Indicate on the inventory map the key forage species for the field.

2. Identify and Mark the Sampling Location on the Inventory Map – Place a bracketed [P1] or a [H] on the inventory map to identify the sampling location. P signifies that you are sampling Tame Pastureland and H signifies that you are sampling Tame Hayland.

The number 1 indicates this is your first sample point for the land use type. Use this designation to identify this sampling point on all data collection forms and worksheets to tie the sample location on the inventory map to the information on the worksheets. Use of GPS coordinates is recommended to record site location.

3. Determine/verify the Forage Suitability Group for Sample Location – Use soil maps and soil interpretations to make this determination and indicate on inventory map.

4. Determine Production – Use ND-CPA-33 worksheet when clipping or estimating the production at the sampling location. Production on hayland may also be obtained during client interview (i.e. a 25 acre field producing 50 bales each weighing 1200 lb that would equate to about 2400 lbs /ac). When clipping to determine production, a minimum of three frames will be clipped and averaged per site.

5. Determine the Pasture Condition Score – Use ND-CPA-32 Pasture Condition Score Sheet to determine the pasture condition indicator score and record suggested management changes, as appropriate.

6. Utilization mapping (optional). Delineate major grazing use patterns within the pasture or evaluate the pasture as a whole using the ND-CPA-415. Indicate on the planning map the appropriate landscape appearance class for the entire pasture or major use pattern within the pasture.

Prescribed Grazing Design and Installation Guide – 528 - Appendix C

Annual Forages and Crop Aftermath Procedure:

The following information will be collected for cropland seeded to annual forages or cropland fields grazed after harvest. Usable forage production from annual forages or crop aftermath is highly variable and can be difficult to predict due to a number of factors. Factors such as precipitation, type of annual forage or crop residue, amount of volunteer crop growth after harvest and level of grazing management can affect the amount of forage available and the efficiency with which the animal will harvest the forage.

Options for estimating forage production on annual forages and crop aftermath would include one or more of the following:

1. Determine amount of usable forage by clipping, drying and weighing forage samples from a representative site(s), use ND-CPA-33. When clipping to determine production, a minimum of three frames will be clipped and averaged per site.

2. Utilize client’s knowledge of previous years’ production (i.e. hay yield from previously harvested annual forages) and/or previous grazing levels.

3. Use of Table 1 in the Analysis and Interpretation section.

Additional information on the use of annual forages, including potential livestock health problems, can be found at the following web sites.

http://www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/dickinso/research/1996/grazforg.htm http://www.ext.nodak.edu/extpubs/beef.htm

Animal Inventory

Gather the animal inventory information from the producer for use on the ND-CPA-1.

Type of herd (purebred, commercial, dairy) Kinds (cows, bison, elk, sheep etc) Classes (cow calf pairs, yearlings, dry cows) Average weights Number of animals in each herd during the grazing season Pastures for each herd Grazing dates for each pasture Breeding season Calving date Weaning date Potential conflicts with neighboring herds When normal winter feeding begins and ends

Analysis and Interpretation:

Note: Guidance provided in Chapter 11 of the NRCS National Range and Pasture Handbook is very specific regarding the role of NRCS planners in determining stocking rates. Part 600.1103(j)(1) states, “NRCS does not establish grazing capacities. Neither does it require an agreed-on stocking rate in conservation plans. NRCS assists land users in making their own decisions concerning the number and kinds of animals that can be safely and profitably grazed.”

For more information, see http://www.glti.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/publications/nrph.html

Complete the ND-CPA-19 based upon the information collected during the vegetative inventory.

Estimated initial stocking rates may be determined by using one or a combination of the following options. Accuracy and reliability of this estimated initial stocking rate will be directly related to the amount and quality of the resource data collected and the experience/skill level of the planner.

Prescribed Grazing Design and Installation Guide – 528 - Appendix C http://www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/dickinso/research/1996/grazforg.htm http://www.ext.nodak.edu/extpubs/beef.htm

Using similarity index data collected from all the major rangeland sites and production data collected from all the major forage suitability groups on the unit, calculate an estimated initial stocking rate using either the ND-CPA-30, Preference Based Stocking Rate, for rangeland and ND-CPA-33, Clipping to Determine Stocking Rates Based on Current Production on Tame Pasture, for pastureland.

Use client’s existing stocking rate figures in conjunction with results from landscape appearance worksheets to develop an estimated initial stocking rate.

Using production data collected from the representative key management sites on the operating unit calculate stocking rates using the following formulas (for those sites lacking production data, use the stocking rate figures in Table 1):.

• Rangeland: Pounds air dry annual production x 0.25 / 913 lbs/month = AUM/ac

• Pastureland: Pounds air dry annual production x 0.35 / 913 lbs/month = AUM/ac

• Crop aftermath or annual forages: Pounds air dry annual production x 0.25 /

913 lbs/month = AUM/ac For estimating initial stocking rates on tame pasture without the benefit of field collected production data, refer to the appropriate Forage Suitability Group (FSG) description.

When estimating a stocking rate from an FSG, use forage production figure under “low management” multiplied by 0.35 harvest efficiency divided by 913 lbs of air dry forage to calculate AUM/ac.

For estimating initial stocking rates on rangeland without the benefit of field collected production data, use Table 1 to establish an initial estimated stocking rate for each ecological/range site. The estimated initial stocking rates shown in these tables are estimates based upon knowledge and experience gained during past grazing land planning and follow-up efforts. These figures should only be used when actual inventory data is unavailable (i.e. initial planning phase) and may be supplemented by local knowledge.

Prescribed Grazing Design and Installation Guide – 528 - Appendix C

Estimated Initial Stocking Rate by MLRA (AUM/Ac)

Table 1. MLRA Specific Estimated Initial Stocking Rate 1

Ecological Site (abbreviation) 53A 53B 54 55A

55B 56 58C 58D Original Range Site name Clayey (Cy) 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.2 0.2 Clayey Clayey Terrace (CyT) na2 na na na na na 0.2 .2 Clayey

Claypan (Cp) 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.2 Claypan Closed Depression (CD) 0.4 0.5 0.3 na 0.5 na .3 0.3 Closed Depression Limy Sands (LSa) na na 0.3 na na na 0.3 0.3 Sands Limy Subirrigated (LSb) 0.5 0.5 na 0.5 0.6 0.5 na na Limy Subirrigated Loamy (Ly) 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.2 0.2 Silty Loamy Overflow (LyOv) 0.4 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.5 0.3 0.3 Overflow Loamy Terrace (LyT) na na 0.4 na na na 0.2 0.2 Overflow Saline Lowland (SL) 0.4 0.5 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.3 Saline Lowland Sands (Sa) 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.3 Sands Sandy (Sy) 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.2 0.2 Sandy Sandy Claypan (SyCp) 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.3 Sandy Claypan Sandy Terrace (SyT) na na 0.4 na na na 0.2 0.2 Sandy Savannah (Sv) na na na 0.4 na na na na Savannah Shallow Clayey (SwCy) 0.2 na 0.2 na 0.3 na 0.2 0.2 Shallow Shallow Loamy (SwLy) na .3 0.2 na na na 0.2 0.2 Shallow Shallow Sandy (SwSy) na na 0.2 na na na 0.2 .2 Shallow Shallow Gravel (SwG) 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.2 Shallow to Gravel Subirrigated (Sb) 0.5 0.7 0.6 0.5 0.6 0.6 na na Subirrigated

Subirrigated Sands (SbSa) na na na 0.4 0.4 0.4 na na Subirrigated

Savannah Thin Clayey (TCy) na na na na na na .2 na Thin Claypan Thin Claypan (TCp) 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.1 Thin Claypan Thin Loamy (TLy) 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.2 Thin Upland Thin Sands (TSa) 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.2 Thin Sands Very Shallow (VS) 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.1 Very Shallow Wet Land (WL) 0.7 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.9 0.9 na 0.7 Wetland Wet Meadow (WM) 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0..6 0.6 0.6 na Wet Meadow 1 Estimated stocking rate based upon ½ of the RV production for the reference plant community using 25% harvest efficiency, an air dry matter intake of 30 lbs/day and 30.5 days per month rounded to the nearest tenth of an AUM.

2 "na" indicates no soils were assigned to this ecological site within the MLRA.

Table 2.

Harvested Roughage 1/ Annual Pasture 2/ Crop Aftermath 3/

All Hay 3.0 AUM’s/ton Sudan Grass 2.0–4.0 AUM’s/ Ac

Small Grain Stubble

0.1-0.4 AUM’s/Ac

Corn Silage 1.2 AUM’s/ton Winter Rye 0.5-2.0 AUM’s/Ac Corn Stalks 0.3-0.6 AUM’s/Ac

Grass Silage 0.9 AUM’s/ton Irrigated Corn Stalks

1.0-2.0 AUM’s/Ac

Corn Fodder 2.0 AUM’s/ton Sunflower Stalks

0.1-0.3 AUM’s/Ac

Wheat Straw 1.5 AUM’s/ton Dry Beans, Soybeans

0.0-0.3 AUM’s/Ac

Hayland Regrowth

0.1-0.3 AUM’s/Ac

1/ Roughage assumed to be of good quality, reduce values if hay cut late or badly weathered prior to feeding.

2/ Assume 1.0 AUM for each 1500 pounds of air dry forage production. The difference between allowance and use is to allow for trampling loss.

3/ AUM ratings are based on the following: 0.1 AUM for each 10 bu production on small grain and corn. 0.15 AUM for each 10 bu production on irrigated corn, 0.1 AUM for each 1000 lbs seeds on sunflowers. On erosive soils, aftermath grazing may have to be reduced or eliminated so adequate cover can be maintained.

Using the information from the animal inventory and the ND-CPA-19 complete the ND-CPA-1, Livestock-Forage Balance Sheet, and the ND-CPA-556, Prescribed…