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Part 2: Basic Rangeland Ecology
Range Conditions are Directly Related
to Animal Performance
Livestock performance is a function of the nutrient intake,
and nutrient intake is a function of the quality and quantity of
available forage.
If stocking rates are not in line with grazing capacity, animal
performance may suffer along with range conditions.
Consider reducing stocking rates any time the pasture has not
had a chance to grow or recover. Here are some pointers:
- Drought conditions may require lower stocking
- If possible, remove animals from pastures before they begin
grazing on regrowth.
- Become knowledgeable about the growing seasons of forage in
your area; animals grazing on pastures too early or too late
in the growing season can affect the nutrient content and biomass
of available forage.
Many factors interact to influence the effect of grazing on rangelands.
Rangeland vegetation provides a renewable resource if properly managed.
This module will teach you how to gather and interpret information
helping you make decisions that can positively affect forage conditions,
and therefore positively affect animal performance.
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