Proceedings brand creation for a prescribed fire culture – utilizing key social media parameters. Lars Coleman*1, J. Kelly Hoffman1, Thomas McDaniel1, R. Patrick Bixler2, Urs P. Kreuter1, Morgan Russell3

Very sparse literature exists on the effect of soil active herbicides on nutrient availability. As part of a larger rangeland rehabilitation project, on four sites in northern Nevada, we quantified the effect of the herbicides Landmark®, Perspective®, and Plateau® relative to controls on surface soil (0-10 cm) nutrient availability. Samples were collected multiple times over two years. The data set is complex and herbicide treatments interacted with site and time of sampling. Overall, relative to the controls, mineral N, soil-solution sulfate, and bicarbonate-extractable phosphorus quantities were often elevated on herbicide-treated plots. In addition, on some sites, herbicide treatments affected micronutrient availability. We believe these changes in nutrient availability are largely a function of vegetation loss (lack of nutrient uptake) due to the herbicides. We will continue to monitor plots for at least one more year.

GLYPHOSATE AS A TOOL TO INCREASE LIVESTOCK CONSUMPTION OF MEDUSAHEAD ON ANNUAL GRASS INVADED RANGELANDS. Clint Stonecipher*¹, Casey Spackman², Kip Panter³, Juan Villalba⁴; ¹USDA-ARS-PWA-PPR, Logan, UT, ²Utah State University, 84333, UT, ³USDA, Logan, UT, ⁴Utah State University, Logan, UT

ABSTRACT

Invasive annual grasses are altering vegetation dynamics in the Western U.S., decreasing plant diversity and altering forage availability for livestock and wildlife. Preparation and reseeding annual grass invaded rangelands is necessary to change vegetation structure and a combination of input methods is typically required to achieve that goal. Herbicide application to control medusahead (Taeniatherum caput-medusae) is one tool recommended prior to revegetation. Herbicide application can be used prior to medusahead maturity to stop plant growth, preserve forage quality, and potentially increase palatability for livestock. In this study, we evaluated the application of glyphosate at three rates in the spring prior to medusahead maturity to determine if it would stop plant growth and increase palatability for livestock. Glyphosate treatment occurred in April at four rates: 1) 236 g ae ha-1, 2) 394 g ae ha-1, and 3) 788 g ae ha-1, and 4) 0 g ae ha-1, on plots measuring 3 m by 15 m. Plots were arranged in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Treatment plots were placed within a larger pasture of 89 ha that was treated with glyphosate at 788 g ae ha-1. Cattle were allowed to graze the 89 ha pasture with free access to treatment plots from May through September. Vegetation measurements were taken prior to herbicide application, two weeks after herbicide application, and after grazing to determine biomass production and forage quality. Glyphosate applied at all three rates halted growth of medusahead and preserved water soluble carbohydrates. Livestock consumed medusahead biomass at all three application rates of glyphosate with the largest decrease occurring at the 788 g ae ha-1 (P < 0.05). Glyphosate is a tool that can be applied to medusahead invaded rangelands to stop plant growth and preserve nutrients, thus increasing palatability of medusahead to livestock.

EVALUATION OF CATTLE GRAZING USE WHEN APPLYING RAFFINATE TO LEAFY SPURGE (EUPHORBIA ESULA L.) INVADED RANGELANDS. Tracy Ellig*¹, Kevin Sedivec¹, Dennis Whitted², Ryan Limb¹, Kent Belland³; ¹North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, ²North Dakota State University, Walcott, ND, ³North Dakota Army National Guard, Bismarck, ND

ABSTRACT

Leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula L.) is a noxious weed that threatens grasslands throughout the northern Great Plains. Leafy spurge threatens prairie communities and not readily grazed by cattle. Currently, herbicides remain the most effective and commonly used practice to manage leafy spurge. However, if we can change the grazing behavior of cattle to consume leafy spurge, we would convert a weed into a valuable forage. In this study we tested the use of raffinate, a molasses extract, as a spray on feed attractant to increase forage and feed palatability of leafy spurge. Study objectives were to 1) determine if raffinate applied at two different ratios would attract cattle to consume leafy spurge and 2) determine if cattle grazing leafy spurge would alter the plant community over time.  The study included three treatments 100% raffinate, 50% raffinate:50% water mixture, salt blocks and a control using a random block design with three replicates. The study was conducted on the Gilbert C. Grafton Military Training Base (South Unit) near McHenry, ND. Treatments were grazed with cow/calf pairs throughout the study duration. Treatments were applied in mid-June, mid-July and again in early September.  We determined degree of disappearance by clipping 0.25 m2 plots at eight meter intervals along transects at the end of the grazing season.  We recorded graminoid species presence;absence using 0.1m2 every 5 m, and density of leafy spurge and other broad leaf forbs using a 0.25m2 plot every 5 m.  Leafy spurge stem density declined on the salt and 50% raffinate:50% water treatments, indicating cattle grazing impacted the leafy spurge population. Furthermore, the salt and 100 percent raffinate treatments had a greater disappearance of leafy spurge standing crop after three applications of raffinate and continued presence of salt. Leafy spurge standing crop was reduced by 88 and 45 percent on the salt and 100 percent raffinate treatments, respectively. The application of raffinate to leafy spurge changed the grazing behavior of cattle, with cows consuming almost 50 percent of the leafy spurge biomass.  Selective placement of salt also provided an effectively management strategy to achieve cattle consumption of leafy spurge on sands ecological sites.

USING A NEW NATURAL AREAS HERBICIDE TO CONTROL WINTER ANNUAL GRASSES AND ESTABLISH NATIVE SPECIES . Shannon L. Clark*¹, Derek J. Sebastian², Jim Sebastian³, Scott Nissen¹, Harry Quicke⁴; ¹Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, ²Bayer, Greeley, CO, ³Boulder County, Longmont, CO, ⁴Bayer, Windsor, CO

Downy brome (Bromus tectorum L.) and feral rye (Secale cereale) are competitive invasive winter annual grasses (IWAG). IWAG are considered one of the most problematic invasive species in rangeland and natural areas in the western United States. The currently recommended herbicides (imazapic and glyphosate) for site restoration have provided inconsistent control or cause injury to desirable perennial species. Indaziflam, a new herbicide alternative for weed management in natural areas and open spaces, provides long-term control of both downy brome and feral rye. Glyphosate can be mixed with a residual control product to control IWAG, while desirable perennials are dormant to achieve burndown of newly germinated seedlings.  Field trials were conducted to evaluate glyphosate dose to provide adequate first-year IWAG burndown, downy brome and feral rye control with residual herbicides indaziflam and imazapic, and subsequent native species establishment through drill seeding. Applications were made in March 2014 and treatments included increasing levels of glyphosate tank mixed with indaziflam (44, 73, 102 g∙ai∙ha-1) and imazapic (105 g∙ai∙ha-1). Sites were then drill seeded with native species 9 MAT. Yearly visual control evaluations, IWAG biomass, and stand counts of the drilled species were collected. Glyphosate at 170 g∙ae∙ha-1 provided the most consistent initial control of downy brome and feral rye. Plots treated with indaziflam at all 3 rates had significant native species establishment compared to the imazapic and control plots. Three YAT only treatments containing indaziflam at 44, 73 and 102 g∙ai∙ha-1 had significant IWAG control (91.3% ± 7.2 - 99.5% ± 1) compared to the check. These results provide valuable information for land managers trying to restore rangeland and natural areas severely impacted by IWAG and establish native species.

USING TARGETED LIVESTOCK GRAZING TO STRATEGICALLY REDUCE FINE FUELS IN THE GREAT BASIN

Targeted grazing is broadly defined as using livestock time, intensity and duration of use to control vegetation to achieve a desired management goal. The Great Basin is experiencing unprecedented wildfires due in large part to invasive annual grasses (e.g., cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum)) which have increased fuel loads, created continuous fine fuel beds, and promoted longer fire seasons.  The Bureau of Land Management is interested in working with partners and stakeholders to explore the feasibility of using livestock to strategically manage fuels across large areas dominated by invasive annual grasses as part of the Integrated Rangeland Fire Management Strategy.  This strategy includes collaborative actions to implement targeted grazing programs and vegetation treatments to protect, conserve, and restore sagebrush steppe habitats across all ownerships and jurisdictions. An interagency team is pursuing the following activities to carry out this program: 1) Implementing well-monitored demonstration projects in conjunction with innovative livestock operators, 2) Developing a web-based “guidebook” to capture and continually update the science and user experiences of using targeted grazing to reduce fine fuels, 3) Distributing findings and facilitating information sharing through workshops, webinars and technical assistance.  If successful, strategic targeted grazing will provide another option to reduce fine fuels and wildfire impacts on Great Basin rangelands.

TIMING OF GRAZING TO REDUCE CHEATGRASS FUELS.

. Charlie D. Clements*¹, Dan N. Harmon²; ¹USDA, Reno, NV, ²USDA-ARS, Reno, NV

The introduction and subsequent invasion of cheatgrass onto millions of acres of Great Basin rangelands has revolutionized secondary succession by providing a fine-textured early maturing fuel that has increased the chance, rate, spread and season of wildfires.  With such vast acreages of landscapes being converted to cheatgrass dominance, resource managers and land owners are facing the daunting task of reducing wildfire risks caused by associated cheatgrass fuels.  The grazing animal is the only real fuels management tool available on these vast landscape scales.  We started a preliminary investigation of testing the ability of cattle to reduce fuel loads in northern Nevada.  We hypothesized that spring grazing would reduce cheatgrass more than fall grazing, but that perennial grass species would experience a higher reduction rate than with fall grazing treatments. We tested a fall grazing treatment in 2014 and a spring grazing treatment in 2017 in which both grazing treatments significantly decreased cheatgrass fuel loads.  Grazing from September 7 to 27-2014 reduced cheatgrass from 1,570 lbs/acre down to 138 lbs/acre, or 91.2% reduction.  Grazing from May 6 to 26-2017 resulted in a cheatgrass fuels reduction of 95.8%, 1,674 lbs down to 71 lbs/acre.  The 2014 fall grazing treatment resulted in a reduction of 8.6% in perennial grass density, 5.8 down to 5.3/m², whereas the 2017 spring grazing treatment recorded a reduction of 0.01%, 4.77 down to 4.7/m².  The use of cattle to decrease cheatgrass fuel loads can be accomplished through this type of targeted grazing, if properly monitored, will not be detrimental to the existing perennial grass community.  

MONITORING TARGETED GRAZING TO REDUCE INVASIVE PLANTS WITHIN RIPARIAN HABITAT

North Coast Semaphore Grass (Pleuropogon hooverianus) is a threatened species in riparian areas embedded within California’s north coast rangelands. P. hooverianus riparian habitat is commonly encroached upon by Phalaris aquatica, a highly competitive perennial forage grass.  Targeted livestock grazing has been identified as a viable tool to enhance P. hooverianus.  Efficacy depends upon matching the timing of grazing to the phenological development of the two species. Ideally, grazing should occur when P. aquatica is at optimal palatability. In 2016 and 2017 phenology of the two species was monitored throughout the spring growing season. In 2016 a pilot study was performed in a stand of P. hooverianus and P. aquatica to map timing of phenophases to inform targeted grazing decision-making, particularly the timing of P. hooverianus and P. aquatica reproductive phenophases relative to one another. The results of this research and the efficacy of resulting targeted grazing management on both species will be presented.

PLANT COMMUNITY RESPONSE FOLLOWING WILDFIRE AND HEAVY WINTER GRAZING DISTURBANCE REGIMES. Lan Xu*¹, Jameson R. Brennan², Patricia S. Johnson²; ¹South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD, ²South Dakota State University, Rapid City, SD

Northern Great Plains (NGP) grasslands evolved under the influence of grazing and fire, resulting in a mosaic of habitats of low, mid, and high seral plant communities. Much of that heterogeneity has been lost due to fire suppression and contemporary grazing management for uniform use. Research demonstrates that patch-burn grazing (PBG) effectively increases heterogeneity on the landscape by creating a shifting mosaic of vegetation structure and plant communities.  Many NGP landowners are averse to fire due to concerns of property and forage loss.  Thus, winter patch grazing (WPG) is being studied as an alternative, non-pyric management strategy for creating heterogeneity, wherein patches within pastures are created with heavy grazing during the dormant season rather than burning.  A wildfire in fall 2016 that burned several pastures at the SDSU Cottonwood Research Station, provided opportunity to compare the impacts of PBG and WPG on plant community composition and production.  Three treatment areas were located within each of three pastures: a wildfire burned patch, WPG patch, and an untreated control area. Cattle grazed each pasture in summer 2017, with access to all areas of the pasture.  Within each pasture and treatment, five exclosures were built to exclude cattle. Three 0.25m2 plots were randomly placed in each exclsoure for a total of 135 plots (45 per treatment).  Cover by species, bare ground, and litter were ocularly estimated in mid June and late July 2017; biomass was estimated for each species during the July sampling period.  Tiller density of western wheat grass and shortgrass species was also collected. Differences in plant community composition, cover, biomass production, and tiller density were analyzed to determine impacts of treatments.  Results from this study will help inform land managers of potential outcomes following disturbance regimes, and provide valuable insights into plant community responses to management strategies alternative to fire.

GRAZING SYSTEMS AND NATIVE MIXTURES EFFECTS ON CATTLE AND FORAGE PRODUCTION IN SEMIARID WESTERN CANADA

. Alan D. Iwaasa*¹, Chen Gu², Ed Birkedal¹, Mengli Zhao²; ¹Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Swift Current, SK, ²Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, Peoples Republic

Production benefits for any grazing systems are affected by climatic conditions of the grasslands, forage species mixture and growth habits of the plants. Study objective was to evaluate the effects of native species mixtures [simple (six cool-season grasses and one legume) versus complex (eight cool-season, three warm-season grasses and one legume)] and grazing systems [continuous (CON) versus deferred rotational grazing (DRG)] on cattle performances [total live weight production (TLP), average daily gain (ADG) and pasture utilization (UTL)], pasture productions [available yield (AYD) and peak yield (CYD)] and qualities [NDF, ADF, CP and organic matter digestibility (OMD)]. A 12-yr (2005-2016) grazing experiment was carried out at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada - Swift Current Research and Development Centre, Saskatchewan, Canada. Grazing systems by species mixtures interaction was not significant (P > 0.05). Higher TLP (P = 0.02) and ADG (P = 0.04) values were observed for complex versus simple and DRG versus CON, respectively. The TLP values were 55.5 ± 2.9 ha-1 kg and 46.5 ± 2.6 kg ha-1 for complex versus simple, respectively. The ADGs were 0.82 ± 0.04 kg d-1 and 0.99 ± 0.04 kg d-1 for DRG vs. CON, respectively. Deferred rotational grazing increased UTL (P = 0.05), all pasture productions (P < 0.0001) and ADF (P < 0.0001) versus CON but decreased (P < 0.0001) OMD due to higher ADF observed. Forage NDF was higher (P < 0.05) for complex versus simple and CP did not differ (P > 0.05) for both grazing systems and species mixtures. The DRG system allows forage species to set seeds, thus higher AYD, CYD and ADF compared to CON were expected. Warm season grasses present only in the complex seed mix would explain the higher NDF content level. No grazing system was the best and depending upon the animal and pasture productivity goals, either system could be considered.

HYDROLOGIC RESPONSE TO LIVESTOCK AND WILD HORSE GRAZING WITHIN LENTIC MEADOWS OF NORTHERN NEVADA

Lentic systems scattered across Northern Nevada offer windows of opportunity for an ecosystem to make best use of its limiting resource: water. Compared to the surrounding landscape, these wet meadows have much higher plant productivity rates which capture sediment, reduce overland flow energy, and prevent excessive erosion.  This productivity also attracts grazing animals.  Large grazing species such as cattle and wild horses particularly prefer lentic and lotic riparian areas and will spend a disproportionate amount of their time within them.  If over-used, a meadow loses the stabilizing plant community necessary to prevent erosion, causing a meadow to degrade.  This study is working to quantify the hydrologic response to cattle versus wild horse use of 12 lentic meadow sites across Northern Nevada.  Trail cameras set to 5-minute intervals give a clear picture of which species use a meadow and when.   Camera data are combined with field surveys of vegetation species composition, stubble height measurements, and topographic survey data across meadow transects.  We are using this data to detect how different grazing timing and duration between cattle and horses affects the community structure of stabilizing vegetation.  We are then investigating the erosional response to stabilizing vegetation loss – particularly if lentic systems develop a thalweg, or channelized flow, that will increase shear stress and incision rates.  This incision transports water quickly down-drainage, lowering water tables and shrinking meadow size.  Meadow loss reduces important forage for grazing animals, threatens habitat for important conservation species such as the greater sage grouse, and reduces the hydrologic functionality of a drainage – making it more prone to destructive flows.  It is therefore important to understand how these major grazing species affect Northern Nevada’s lentic areas.

DOES GRAZING MANAGEMENT MATTER FOR SOIL CARBON SEQUESTRATION IN SHORTGRASS STEPPE?
. Justin D. Derner*¹, David Augustine², Douglas A. Frank³; ¹USDA-ARS, Cheyenne, WY, ²USDA-ARS, Fort Collins, CO, ³Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY

ABSTRACT

Considerable uncertainty remains regarding the potential of grazing management on semiarid rangelands to sequester soil carbon. Short-term (less than 1 decade) studies have determined that grazing management potentially influences fluxes of carbon, but such studies are strongly influenced by prevailing weather/climatic conditions, with carbon gains occurring during wet periods and losses during dry/drought conditions.  A few decadal studies have evaluated influences of grazing management on changes in pools of soil carbon, but again these demonstrate interactions of grazing management and climate; in addition, these studies have limitations with quantifying the relatively small changes associated with grazing management relative to the inherently large soil carbon pool.  To address this limitation, we sampled soils (0-20 cm) in 2011 from 26 long-term grazing exclosures and paired moderately grazed sites in the shortgrass steppe of northeastern Colorado.  Exclosures were established in 1937 across a soil texture gradient.  The use of 14C radiocarbon provided the opportunity to determine turnover of the stable C pool over a seven-decade period in the presence versus absence of grazing.  The effects of long-term moderate grazing or removal from grazing did not interact with soil texture to influence total soil nitrogen, total soil carbon, soil organic carbon or turnover of the soil carbon.  Soil texture did influence total soil nitrogen, total soil carbon and nitrogen, but not turnover of carbon. In contrast, grazing management did not influence any of the soil properties evaluated, even though grazing strongly influenced plant community composition and altered the relative abundance of C3 versus C4 grasses.  These results provide evidence that long-term moderately grazed and ungrazed sites, though different in plant community characteristics, do not differ with respect to long-term soil carbon sequestration. 

GRAZING MANAGEMENT IMPACTS ON WETLAND SOIL CARBON STORAGE ALONG THE NATIONAL HISTORIC TRAILS CORRIDOR IN WYOMING

Wetlands are a valuable resource for water storage, sediment capture, biodiversity, habitat, and carbon (C) sequestration. Alterations to wetland functionality are often linked to land management decisions, such as grazing management. Potential changes in C storage and composition were quantified at study sites within the National Historic Trails Corridor in central Wyoming by measuring differences between historically grazed wet meadows and adjacent long-term grazing exclosures. Hummocks and interspaces were also compared to evaluate the micro-landscape. Initial results indicate that soil organic C (SOC) loss from interspaces has been significant at the center of each wetland. But, interspaces within exclosures appear to have recovered SOC. These results suggest that wetland functions and ecosystem services may be restored under reduced grazing pressure.

MANAGEMENT OF GRAZING IN BEAKED SEDGE (CAREX UTRICULATA) COMMUNITIES IN NORTHEASTERN ARIZONA
. Sarah Noelle*¹, Wink Crigler², Judith Dyess³, George Ruyle¹; ¹University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, ²X Diamond Ranch, Eagar, AZ, ³U.S. Forest Service, Albuquerque, NM

ABSTRACT

Beaked sedge (Carex utriculata) is a dominant species within montane riparian meadow communities in northern Arizona and is utilized by both livestock and wild ungulates throughout the growing season.  Managing grazing in riparian areas containing beaked sedge as a component of critical habitat for the endangered New Mexico meadow jumping mouse is of increasing importance in the Southwestern Region.  In order to determine potential best management grazing practices, we examined grazed and ungrazed stubble heights of beaked sedge from 2 riparian meadow pastures in northeastern Arizona between 2009 and 2017.  Management practices employed to control intensity and timing of grazing included the use of portable electric fence and active herding of cattle. Adaptive management allowed flexible use periods based on growing season conditions and levels of use desired.  Stubble height measurements were taken prior to, during, and following livestock grazing and throughout the growing season during years of complete rest.  Average stubble heights ranged from 5 to 18 inches on grazed plants and 8 to 26 inches on ungrazed plants, depending upon season of use.  The percent of plants grazed in all years was generally below 50%. Our data highlight 3 major findings: 1. It is important when, where and how sedge heights are measured in terms of meeting suggested guidelines for riparian vegetation; 2. Sedges grazed early to mid-growing season will significantly recover height by the end of the growing season; and 3. Wild ungulate use may impact meeting any stubble height guidelines in these riparian areas.  If stubble heights are used to guide grazing management of riparian meadows, we recommend integrating adaptive management principles, such as flexible timing, into allotment management plans.  Effective communication between the permittee and Forest Service range specialists is key to applying adaptive management practices to riparian grazing.  We show that through successful working relationships established between the landowner and USFS, managed livestock grazing in riparian meadows can meet reasonable guidelines and maintain desired conditions for multiple resource objectives.

EFFECT OF SHEEP GRAZING ON STIPA BREVIFLORA REPRODUCTION IN THE DESERT STEPPE, CHINA. Chen Gu*¹, Mengli Zhao¹, Alan Iwaasa²; ¹Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, Peoples Republic, ²Swift Current Research and Development Centre, Swift Current, SK