MANAGEMENT AND MANAGEMENT AND

RANGELAND RECOVERY RANGELAND RECOVERY

FOLLOWING DROUGHTFOLLOWING DROUGHT

RANGELAND RECOVERY

5-7 Years

< 10 Years

<Ppt=>Recovery

Management

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

Restructure (if necessary) the plant-moisture-

grazing relationships on the ranch.

So What Can Be Done?

�Proper Grazing Management

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

Increasing herdsize is only a deal if you are

prepared to feed them.

Appropriate Stocking Rates

Stocking Rate Affects Just About Everything

Stocking Rates* Use a Moderate Stocking Rate

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

Rangeland Restoration

So What Can Be Done?

�Proper Grazing Management

�Rangeland Restoration

�Brush Management

So What Can Be Done?

�Proper Grazing Management

�Rangeland Restoration

�Brush Management

�Establish a monitoring program

Pecos County 2002

Pecos County 1992

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.

Pray, and be Pray, and be

thankful for thankful for

rain.rain.

Have to Have to ““think smartthink smart”” during and during and

between drought eventsbetween drought events