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Derek Bailey, project coordinator,
and Steve Lairy, research technician, check cattle position
during trailing, which may indicate where the cattle graze.
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Righting
the Range
Returning Riparian Zones and Rangelands to Healthy Condition
Public rangelands, once regarded as simply fodder for grazing cattle
and sheep, are increasingly cherished for their environmental and
recreational values. Multiple users yield multiple challenges, especially
around riparian areas—the fragile fringes along streams and
lakes.
Western SARE research dollars are helping to shore up the productivity
and environmental integrity of public and private rangelands.
In Montana, Derek Bailey of MSU has shown that
some cattle lounge near streams (bottom dwellers), while others
are more energetic (hill climbers). Ranchers who select hill climbers,
whether by individual or breed, may end up with more evenly grazed
rangelands and better protected riparian areas (SW98-064). What’s
more, animals that range more widely perform just fine, keeping
herd production on an even keel.
Working under the premise that responsible managers want to know
if grazing is degrading their resources, Ken Tate,
rangeland and watershed specialist, surveyed 300 California
rangeland riparian sites. From the information collected, Tate is
developing tools that will help managers conduct, monitor and document
riparian-friendly grazing (SW01-044 and SW03-037).
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Western SARE projects are helping ranchers do a better job of managing
the riparian areas their livestock graze.
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Pat Momont, extension beef specialist in Idaho,
did similar research on a southeast Oregon drainage that serves
as spawning habitat for migrating salmon (SW97-010). He found that
herding and providing off-stream water and shade during late summer
grazing can help preserve riparian health.
Eastern Arizona rancher James Crosswhite
is using a combination of fencing, mechanical brush control and
the broadcast of native seeds to rehabilitate a 2.5-mile degraded
stretch of Nutrioso Creek (FW03-002).
The enduring drought presents yet another challenge to rangeland
cattle producers, especially in the Southwest.
Arizona livestock specialist Bob Kattnig
taught Indian tribes about managing cattle in dry times (SW98-036).
Adopting the notion that Mother Earth —the center of Indian
cultural and spiritual values—is tired, Kattnig helped producers
reduce rangeland pressure through culling, supplementing water and
nutrients and marketing animals to conserve capital.
Maria Fernandez-Gimenez is developing a range
management curriculum for the Tohono O’odham Nation in Arizona
to restore damaged rangelands (SW02-051). It will incorporate science
and tradition and reflect the cultural, political, economic and
environmental contexts of range management on the nation. Fernandez-Gimenez
is invoking wide support from livestock producers, community members,
educators and natural resource professionals.
“The future of agriculture, or civilization for that matter,
depends on a healthy and productive resource base. Even as
farmers and ranchers seek to generate increased profits and yields,
we have an obligation to retain sound production practices and an
ethic of renewal so that our grandchildren may share the same opportunities
we presently enjoy.”
Mark Frasier, owner-operator, Frasier Farms, Woodrow, Colorado
Simply Sustainable
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