Grazing Management with Variable Plant Production in the Nebraska Sandhills

Total plant production on native rangelands is dynamic and influenced by multiple weather-related factors. The most important factor influencing yearly plant production is the amount of growing season precipitation, which can vary widely in different years. Plant production directly influences appropriate year-to-year stocking rates. In dry years with limited plant production, livestock forage demand often exceeds available plant production and livestock producers are faced with decisions of overutilizing pastures, selling cattle, or finding alternative feed resources. In years with above average precipitation, plant production supply may be greater than livestock grazing demand.

The ultimate goal of sustainable grazing management on rangelands is to appropriately match the forage demand from grazing animals with yearly plant production while maintaining or improving the forage resource. Grazing managers cannot control weather patterns, but the management response to variable precipitation conditions is one of the grazing manager’s most important challenges. Adaptive management of rangelands with highly variable plant production requires frequent observations, adjustments in stocking rates based on changing growing season conditions, and flexibility in management to accomplish defined rangeland objectives.

Publication Details