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MANAGEMENT AND MANAGEMENT AND
RANGELAND RECOVERY RANGELAND RECOVERY
FOLLOWING DROUGHTFOLLOWING DROUGHT
The number 1 goal of post-
drought management is to
reinstate soil surface cover with
vegetation.
Never Stop Planning
The critical task of managers is to
rebuild vegetation levels as quickly as
possible in order to capture and
retain precipitation
Set objectives for improving density
and kind of vegetation. Remember
that vegetation type influences
surface runoff, sediment loss and
infiltration.
How much soil cover is adequate?
Can you judge the amount of
vegetation on your ranch?
�Total cover impacts run off, infiltration, and erosion
�Exclosures assist in judging production and use
�How much forage do you have?
It doesn’t rain grass: It rains
water and we must then optimize
that moisture to grow vegetation
�Roots and water in relation to grazing
�Grazing affects roots, root growth, and root function
The Best Time To
Plan For Drought
Is When It’s
Raining Straight
Down. It’s Not
Only How Much
Rain You Get -
It’s How Effective It Is
The best management options for post-
drought planning are strategic in nature
– they take advance planning and
implementation
Build the range forage base.
Maintain or create diversity of plant and animal
population.
Improve grazing distribution.
Match the animal requirements with range nutrient
availability.
Build cash equity position.
Develop alternate sources of feedstuffs.
The best management options for post-
drought planning are strategic in nature
– they take advance planning and
implementation – cont’d
Develop less drought-sensitive income sources.
Water is the most important of all nutrients.
Contingency (including drought) planning
Restocking too early can lead to a
second disaster – even if post-
drought rains bring much
vegetation
� If plants are grazed correctly, will respond quickly
�Response can be quick but will fade if root system
and soil moisture is lacking
�Production is usually 50% of average productin
the first year after a drought
�Five-seven years may be required to recover
Post – Grazing Residual
* Maintain As Much Carryover
Forage As Possible
1200-1500 Kg/HaTallgrass
750-1000 Kg/HaMidgrass
300-500 Kg/HaShortgrass
250 Kg/HaDesert
Balance Rest and Use
All Work – No Play – Die Young
� CHO Storage
� Animal Impact
�Environmental and
Wildlife Benefits
� Plant Vigor
Grazing Management Suggestions
�Balance stocking rate with the available forage supply, keeping in mind:
�Livestock needs
�Amount destroyed by insects, decay, etc.
�Residual forage to promote next years growth
�Pay particular attention to residues of key forage species
�Be flexible and make timely decisions
�Base stocking rates on grazeable acres and preferred forage base
�Allow plants rest during the reproductive period at least once every three years.
So What Can Be Done?
�Proper Grazing Management
�Rangeland Restoration
�Brush Management
�Establish a monitoring program
Where do I go from here?Where do I go from here?
� If rains come, can plant haygrazers for quick forage (55 days).
�Over-seed barren areas.
�Clean-up hay feeding mats and store hay-rings correctly
�Treat perennial weeds and brush.
�Get cattle back into condition to breed back. Sell calves. Don’t get in hurry to increase herd size.
�Replace hay supplies as prices return to normal.
�Clean out water tanks as appropriate.
Where to go? (continued)
�Move gate/s to take traffic away from erosion damaged areas of pastures.
�Clean-up erosion with tractor blade or front-end scoop. Put in erosion stops. Seed waterways.
�Remember that drought comes 2-3 years in 7, in South Texas. Although this was a 50-year drought, the same thing could happen again tomorrow.
�Keep a 2-year hay supply. 3-RBs/cow/year. Inside storage will keep hay indefinitely.
�Rotate pastures and use with moderation during recovery year! Allow damaged root systems to renew.
Management – the key to
surviving the next drought.
Get serious about business
management. You may need
financial assistance and
records help.
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