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Rangeland Monitoring in Western Uplands

 

Part 5: Setting Realistic Objectives and Goals

Examples of Possible Goals and Objectives

Presented are

  • Three possible general goals for a ranch
  • Measurable objectives that will help achieve these goals
  • Management adjustments made to move toward the established objectives
  • Attributes to monitor that will help you determine if the ranch condition is moving toward meeting the objective.

 

 

General Goal

Measurable Objective

Management Adjustments

Attributes to Monitor

1

Maintain or increase ground cover on the site

Increase ground cover on the site by 10%

Decrease disturbance of the site

Evaluate plant cover for the site. (Minimal)

2

Increase overall production of sideoats grama to increase forage for livestock

Considering the ecological site inventory for this site, increase frequency of sideoats grama by 15%

Graze at a time that sideoats grama is able to reach its potential for this land – talk with those who have experience in the area

Determine side oats grama frequency over several years; collect data for side oats grama production over several years. (Recommended)

3

Alter pasture so available forage has higher nutritional value in the early spring

Maintain or increase production of cool season grasses such as squirrel tail, mutton grass, and others by 20%

Rotate use of the pasture every other year during the cool season.

Determine dry weight of cool season forage grass to estimate pounds of plant, or measure using clip and dry; evaluate fetch for the site. (Comprehensive)