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Allan McGinty, Rick Machen and Dale Rollins*

The word conservation, often interpreted tomean “wise use,” is derived from two Latin words:con, meaning “together,” and servare, meaning to“keep” or “guard.” Ethics is defined as “standardsof conduct .“ Thus, this publication deals with the“standards of conduct” for “keeping together” theland, wildlife and livestock resources of smallacreages.

Why Target Small Acreage Landowners?

In 1870, three-fourths of all Americans wereeither farmers, ranchers or residents of small ruralcommunities who maintained a close relationshipwith the land. Over the last 100 years, however,the country has changed from a rural to an urbansociety. Now, more than half the population ofTexas is located in its urban centers (E1 Paso,Austin, San Antonio, Houston, Ft. Worth and Dal-las).

Although most Texans live in the city, manyyearn to return to a more rural lifestyle. Perhapsthey heed the counsel of Stewart Udall in TheQuiet Crisis, who said, “If you want inner peace,find it in solitude, not speed, and if you would findyourself, look to the land from which you cameand to which you go.” Almost every city and townin Texas is surrounded by a multitude of smalltracts of land (5 to 100 acres) owned by individualswho work in the city but use the land as theirprincipal or weekend residence. Collectively,these small acreage landowners own hundreds ofthousands of acres of forest and rangeland inTexas.

Unfortunately, small acreage tracts are some ofthe most abused lands in Texas. Aldo Leopold, acrusader for land ethics, stated in A Sand CountyAlmanac, “We abuse land because we regard it asa commodity belonging to us. ” While a sense ofownership may contribute to the abuse of land,ignorance of the proper ways to manage basicnatural resources is probably the major factor.

Ethical Land Management

Overgrazing

The most prevalent kind of land abuse on smallacreages is the destruction of desirable, perennialvegetation through overgrazing by livestock (Fig.1). Native, perennial plants will not survive andreproduce if continuously grazed to ground level.Small acreage landowners often overestimate theforage production potential of their land and un-derestimate the forage requirements of their live-stock.

* Extension range specialist, Fort Stockton; Extension live-stock specialist Fort Stockton; and Extension wildJife spe-cialis~ San Angelo; The Texas AGM Universi~ System.

Why should a small acreage landowner be con-cerned with overgrazing? First, overgrazing de-stroys vegetation that protects the soil surface.Without this protection, soil will be rapidly lost towind and water erosion. One inch of top soil canbe lost in a single rain, and it takes hundreds ofyears to replace that lost inch. Rainfall runoff fromunprotected soil surfaces carries undesirable siltinto local rivers and lakes.

Overgrazing also produces low yielding andwidely fluctuating forage supplies. Plant speciesthat survive or increase under heavy grazing pres-sure are usually shallow-rooted annuals. Theseplants are generally poor forage for livestock, andsome are toxic.

Conversely, proper grazing results in a morestable and diverse forage supply with droughtresistant plants that provide nutritious, palatableforage for livestock and wildlife. This kind ofvegetation reduces erosion, which protects thelong-term productivity and stability of the land.Properly grazed small acreages are also more aes-thetically pleasing, which translates to a higherreal estate value.

Figure 2 graphically illustrates the minimumdaily forage demand, on a dry matter basis, for fourspecies of livestock. Unfortunately, pasture for-ages are not 100 percent dry matter. Grasses mayvary from 40 percent dry matter in the early springto 95 percent dry matter when dormant. Weedsmay only contain 20 percent dry matter when lush

Fig. 1. Overgrazing by livestock is the most mmmon abuse ofsmall acreage landholdings,

and growing. Also, livestock forage requirementsincrease significantly if the animals are pregnant,nursing offspring or heavily worked. Since only 25percent of each year’s peremial forage produc-tion can be utilized by livestock without overgraz-ing, it becomes apparent that balancing livestocknumbers with fluctuating forage supplies can be-come quite complicated.

The carrying capacity of a particular pasture canbe estimated by comparing the vegetation in thepasture with the pictures in Figure 3. If foragesupplies in the pasture are similar to Figure 3a, itwill require more than 60 acres to provide theforage required for an average size horse for 1 year.The same would also be true for a mature cow. Ifpasture forage conditions are more similar to Fig.3b, at least 25 acres will be required. At least 13acres of forage similar to Figure 3C would berequired for each horse or cow, while forageconditions similar to 3d would require only about4 acres.

It is important to remember that not all plantsgrowing in a pasture are desirable or usable by allspecies of livestock and wildlife (Fig. 4). The dietsof cattle and horses are predominately grasses.Sheep prefer weeds, while goats and deer willutilize woody plants. AS the grazing pressure froma particular animal species increases, plants not

Fig. 2. Clockwise from top leftminimum daily forage requirements fora horse (2 percent of body weight); cow(2 percent of body weight); sheep (3percent of body weight); and goat (4percent of body weight).

t animal can also beexpected to increase.

Suppose a small acreage landowner realizes heor she is overstocked, but also hates to part withthe two family horses. Is there a solution to thisproblem? The answer is Yes. By restricting thehorses to roomy pens during most of the day andallowing only limited access to the pasture, graz-ing pressure can be controlled. The pastureshould serve as an exercise area only. The bulk ofthe animals’ dietary needs should come from feedconcentrates and hay. Feed bills may not signifi-cantly increase, since most overgrazed pasturesprovide little usable forage. Also, the probabilityof losing an expensive animal to toxic plants willbe greatly reduced.

Weed and Brush Control

Many small acreage landowners may wish tocontrol weeds and/or brush to improve the appearance of their property or to enhance theforage and habitat available for wildlife or live-stock. Herbicides, used safely, are effective forsuch purposes. Unfortunately, some landownersdon’t know enough about the proper use of her-bicides, and this often results in poor control ordamage to desirable shrubs and trees (Fig. 5).

Basic precautions when using herbicides in-clude:

■ Always read and follow label directions, Thelabel will detail the rate, timing and method ofapplication. The label will also state specific 3

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Fig. 3. Top left: 400 pounds of forage/acre =60 acredhorse or cowTop right: 1000 pounds of forage/acre= 25 acredhorse or cowBottom right 2000 pounds of forage/acre= 13 acres/horse or cowBottom iefh 6000 pounds of forage/acre = 4 acredhorse or cow

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circumstances under which the herbicide canor cannot be used. For example, some herbi-cides are labeled for rangeland, while others areprohibited from use where livestock graze. Theuser is required by law to precisely follow labeldirections.

Do not apply herbicides when the weather ishot or windy. Under these conditions, herbi-cides can volatilize and drift miles from thetarget area, possibly damaging desirable plants.

Do not dump, mix or apply herbicides near wellheads. Such practices can result in the contami-nation of ground water.

Dispose of all herbicide containers accordingto label directions.

A license is required for the purchase and ap-plication of some herbicides. This license is ob-tained through the Texas Department ofAgriculture (TDA). Classroom training and a testare given before the license is issued. A fee ischarged for the license. Periodic training, ap-proved by the TDA, is required to maintain thelicense. Contact the TDA or your county Exten-sion agent for more information concerning li-censing requirements.

60%

‘“’a!!!)’% 4!!!!E51O%10’%0 30%

Cattle & Horses Sheep

4070

60Y0’ - 50’%0

Goats Deer

II , Grass ❑ Weeds ❑ Browse \

10’%0

Fig. 4, Generai diet composition of cattie, horses, sheep, goatsand deer,

However. iust as the size of a ~arcel of land can

k I limit its pot&tial for livestock’ production, the.’ kd, same can be true for wildlife. For example, a 5-acre

Fig. 5. This beautiful Iiveoak tree was damaged by the carelessapplication of herbicide to control mesquit~

Endangered Species

In January 19$)2, there were more than 150plant and animal species listed as endangered orthreatened in Texas. This number can be ex-pected to increase. The Endangered Species Actprohibits the “taking” of an endangered species.“Taking” is broadly defined as everything fromharming an endangered animal or plant to alteringits critical habitat. Thus defined, the “take” provi-sion may affect many small acreage landowners.

For example, the golden-cheeked warbler is anendangered songbird found in central Texas. Thisbird’s prime nesting habitat centers around standsof mature ashe juniper (“cedar”) with a closedcanopy, as commonly found on the western out-skirts of Austin (Fig. 6). Under the EndangeredSpecies Act it maybe illegal to control juniper inareas defined as critical habitat for the warbler.This can pertain even to the removal of junipersalong or within a fenceline.

Small acreage landowners are advised to be-come aware of possible constraints on plant con-trol or management because of the presence ofendangered species. The Texas Parks and WildlifeDepartment, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, USDASoil Conservation Service or the Texas Depart-ment of Agriculture can provide assistance in thisarea.

Ethical Wildlife Management

The aesthetic and recreational values (e.g.,hunting) are often important motives for purchas-ing rural property. The opportunity to enjoy wild-life in their natural surroundings is not only ameans of relieving stress, but also of teachingchildren the importance of being a good steward.

tract of land may be suitable for attracting song-birds, but is inadequate for effectively managingquail or deer. It is difficult to improve a deer herdunless the management plan can encompass sev-eral thousand acres! Thus, when establishing goalsfor managing wildlife on small acreages, one mustconsider the limitations.

Unlike livestock, native wildlife species are notbound by private ownership. In Texas, wildlife areheld in a public trust and managed by the state.Nor does wildlife respect property lines (Fig. ~.For example, a deer’s home range is generally 1 to2 square miles, while a covey of quail will rangeover about 50 acres. Home range size varies withthe species involved and the quality of the habitat.

In order for land to be attractive to wildlife,certain habitat requirements must be fulfiiled,namely food, water, cover, and the proper ar-rangement of these items. Small parcels of landcan be managed to provide any or all of these.Some ways to make land attractive to wildlife areto plant food plots, limit livestock grazing andencourage a variety of plant species. In general,monoculture like bermudagrass pasture or pineplantations are of limited value to most species ofwildlife.

Generally, the greater the diversity of plantspecies, the greater the diversity of wildlife thatwill inhabit the area. To get this diversity, leavesome areas brushy and/or exclude or limit live-stock grazing in certain areas. Allowing weeds togrow in specific areas can also be beneficial forwildlife. If there is no woody plant cover, plantshrubs such as plum, Russian olive or varioussumacs. Bare-root seedlings can be purchasedfrom your local Soil and Water Conservation Dis-trict or from the Texas Forest Service.

Fig. 6. Mature stands of ashe juniper are critical nesting habitatfor the golden cheeked warbler. Control of juniper in some areasmay be prohibited under the Endangered Species Act. 5

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Fig. 7. Most wildlife area resource shared among several Iandownars.

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Fig. 8. Placing hunting blinds naar property lines may cause illfeelings batween neighbors and is not an ethical practica.

Many people like to use artificial feeders toattract animals for viewing and/or hunting. Hardlyanyone objects when feeders are used to attractnongame birds such as hummingbirds or song-birds. But when feeders are used to bait gameanimals such as deer from one person’s propertyto another, hard feelings between neighbors mayarise. Also be aware that hunting migratory game-birds such as doves over baited areas is a state andfederal offense. If you have questions about whatdoes or does not constitute baiting, contact yourlocal game warden.

The necessity of managing wildlife as a “shared”resource makes that management more difficult.Real estate advertisements commonly read “40acres bordering large ranch, lots of deer and quail.”Sometimes the owners of such small acreages putout corn to attract deer from the neighboringproperty. In extreme situations, there may bemore deer taken from this 40 acres than from anadjoining 4,000 acres. Such excessive hunting issurely not a good neighbor policy, and does notembody a good conservation ethic. Another ques-tionable practice is erecting hunting blinds adja-cent to property lines or fences (_Fig. 8).

Most people who live in the country want to bea respected part of the cornmunit y, so good neigh-bor relations are important. Make an effort tobecome acquainted with your adjoining land-owners and discuss your game management planswith them. They may be willing to join forceswith you, thus making for a more viable manage-ment unit.

Sometimes several landowners can work cooperatively towards game management goals thatwodd be impossible to achieve acting individu-ally. These groups, sometimes referred to as “wild-life management associations” or “co-ops,” relyupon the voluntary compliance of their memberswith a given set of management guidelines. Suchgroup efforts have been successful in improvingdeer management in areas such as the Texas HillCountry. For more information on the structure ofsuch programs, ask your county Extension agentto show you the videotape “Form and Function ofDeer Management Associations.”

Another problem regarding wildlife on smallacreages is the large number of domestic dogs andcats that are allowed to roam in such areas. House-cats can be one of the most serious predators ofsongbirds and quail. Free-ranging dogs often dis-turb or destroy nesting birds and young animals.Roaming dogs sometimes cause problems withnearby livestock operations, especially sheep andgoats. Even though you’re in the country, it’s stillbest to keep your pets confhed to the yard at alltimes.

Ethical Animal Management

Landowners who own livestock have responsi-bility for the ethical management of their live-stock. This involves providing the animals’ basicneeds for food, shelter, health and welfare.

Welfare and Health

public awareness and concern for the welfareof animals continues to increase, placing livestockproduction under close scrutiny. Because mostsmall acreages are close to urban areas, theselandowners play a critical role in the animal wel-fare issue. The only exposure many urbandwellers have to land and livestock managementis what they see as they travel to and from the city.

Therefore, the small scale livestock producer mustpractice ethical animal management.

Seldom can the small acreage landowner affordor justi~ the expense of the kind of facilitiesrequired by larger livestock production enter-prises. Although facilities suited to small acreagesneed not be elaborate or expensive, they shouldbe neat, clean and safe for both livestock andhumans. Neatness and cleanliness are imperativefor human safety and show a concern for animalwell-being. Barbed wire, exposed nails, splinteredlumber, loose wire, sharp edges and corners ofmetal roofing, etc., have no place in an animalhandling facility. Fences, especially those on theperimeter, must be well maintained for animal andhuman safety. As the old saying goes, “Goodfences make for good neighbors.”

Certain facilities are essential for ethical live-stock management. These include a small pen forcollecting livestock and a means of securely re-straining larger animals (cattle, horses). Such fa-cilities can be constructed with ready-madelivestock panels, lumber, welded wire panels(with mesh no larger than 4 inches square), wovenwire or a combination thereof.

A source of clean, fresh water should be avail-able to livestock at all times. Water storage tanksshould be easy to drain and clean. Leaks andrun-over should not be tolerated. Water puddlesare easily contaminated and foster the growth ofinternal parasites and disease organisms.

If possible, animals should be fed from troughsor tubs. Feeding animals on the ground in smallareas makes it easier for internal parasites anddiseases to be transferred from one animal toanother. Although feeding above ground level willnot eliminate health problems, it will certainlyhelp.

Shelter is also essential for the proper care oflivestock. Although an animal maybe comfortableduring adverse weather, passersby may perceivethe absence of shelter as animal abuse. Trees andshrubs provide excellent shelter and shade forlivestock. If there is no natural shelter, shelterfacilities should be built to protect livestock fromwind and rain during the colder months and frommid-summer heat. Shelter is most critical foryoung animals.

Nutrition

Like humans, animals have a satiety factorwhich regulates how much and when they eat.Basically, when animals feel full they stop eating.Since small acreages often have little forage, thepublic may perceive animals in such areas to behungry. Actual signs of hunger include animalsreaching through fences to graze; high, well de-fined browse lines on trees and shrubs; and ani-mals removing bark from trees and chewing onboards or fence posts (Fig. 9).

If sufficient standing forage is not available, theanimals’ “fill” requirement must be met with sup

Fig. 9. While chewing on fence posts, trees and wood fences mayrasult from boredom, it can also be a sign of hungry animals.

plemental forage. Supplemental forage comes inseveral forms; the most convenient, easy-to-han-dle form is hay. High quality hays such as leafyalfalfa and fertilized, immature bermudagrass canmeet the nutritional requirements of most matureanimals. However, growing animals, animals fedpoor quality hays, or animals grazing dormantforages often need additional nutrition.

The four primary nutrients needed in a supple-mental feeding program are protein, energy, min-erals and vitamins. Nutritional deficiencies ofteninvolve two or more of these nutrients. For thatreason, a single feed seldom supplies all the nutri-ents required.

Oilseed meals (soybean, cottonseed, peanutmeals) and alfalfa hay are high quality sources ofprotein.

Cereal grains (corn, mile, wheat, barley, oats)are excellent sources of energy, but are low inprotein and minerals.

Although mineral supplements are the mostexpensive (dollars per pound) part of a supple-mental feeding program, a mineral supplementshould be available free choice at all times. Live-stock eat only a few ounces of mineral supplementper head per day. Therefore, the benefits gainedfrom mineral supplementation outweigh the ex-pense.

Ruminants (cattle, sheep, goats, deer) can syn-thesize all the required vitamins except VitaminA. Vitamin A is provided by green forages andfresh, well prepared hays. In contrast, horsesoften require vitamin supplementation for maxi-mum performance.

It is not recommended that small scale livestockproducers formulate their own supplementalfeeds, because:

■ It is difficult to determine the ingredients in andnutrient composition of various feeds, andwithout that information the formulation won’tbe accurate.

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■ Few small acreage owners have enough knowl-edge of animal nutrition requirements.

■ Not all feedstuffs are acceptable for all speciesof livestock.

For these reasons, small scale livestock ownersshould rely on commercially prepared feeds andsupplements which usually can be matched to thelivestock species and expected level of perform-ance.

Summary

Concern for the environment increases everyyear. Both rural and urban Texans care about theproper use of land, water and wildlife. Since smallacreage landowners collectively control hundredsof thousands of acres of Texas land, the ethicalmanagement of these small properties will:

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sustain the use of our natural resources;

strengthen the ties between urban and agricul-tural communities; and

improve the quality of the environment forfuture generations.

For Assistance Contact

land

Texas Agricultural Extension ServiceSoil Conservation ServiceAgricultural Stabilization and Conservation

Service

Livesteck

Texas Agricultural Extension ServiceLocal veterinarianLocal livestock feed and supply retailer

Wildlife

Texas Agricultural Extension ServiceTexas Parks and Wildlife Department

Suggested Additional ReadingAvailable From Your

County Extension Agent

Uvestock

Adapted Grasses for Texas Pastures, L-2204Feeding and Storing Hay, L-2201Feed Label Information, L-2163Forage Species for Texas, L-2205Mineral Recommendations For Pastured Beef

Cattle In Texas, L-2213Nutrient Composition of Feeds, B-1553Nutrient Requirements of Beef Cattle, IP1554

livestock StOcldng Ratee

BalBl~;~ Forage Demand With Forage Supply,

How Much Forage Do You Have, B-1646Range Condition: Key To Sustained Ranch

Productivity, L-5024

We@ and Brueh Control

Brush Control For Small Acreages, L-2227Brush Management Methods, B-5004Chemical Weed And Brush Control -

Suggestions For Rangeland, B-1466Key Browse Plants of the Edwards Plateau

Region, L-2371Key Browse Plants of the Trans-Pecos Region,

L-2372

Wildlife

Bobwhite Food Development, L-1665Bobwhite Quail Management in South Texas,

B-5005Brush Management Effects on Deer Habitat,

L-2347Factors Affecting Deer Diets and Nutrition,

L-2393Form and Function of Deer Management

Associations, VideotapeInterpreting Deer Harvest Records, B1486Texas Deer Management Calendar, L-2376The Texas Deer Lease, L-2334Supplemental Forage Management for East

Texas White-tailed Deer, L-2457

Educational programs conducted by the Texas Agricultural Extension Seruice serue people of all ages regardless ofsocioeconomic level, race, CO1OC sex, religion, handicap or national on”gin.

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension Work in Agriculture and Home Economics, Acts of Congress of May8, 1914, as amended, and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture. Zerle L.Carpenter, Director, Texas Agricultural Extension Service, The Texas A&M University System.17M-8-92, New CONS 3