Livestock grazing not detrimental to meadow wildflowers

Raymond D. Ratliff

Treesearch

Livestock grazing not detrimental to meadow wildflowers

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Raymond D. Ratliff

Year:

1972

Type:

Research Note

Station:

Pacific Southwest Research Station

Source:

Res. Note PSW-RN-270. Berkeley, CA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Forest and Range Experiment Station. 4 p

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Download (PDF 1.00 MB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/30803.pdf

Abstract

Wildflower growth, meadow conditions, and grazing methods were compared in the Bogard area, Lassen National Forest, northeastern California. The two grazing methods were rest-rotation, in which range units are periodically rested from grazing, and free-choice, in which range units are not provided any rest periods from use. The results suggest that grazing per se need not be detrimental to the growth of wildflowers, and that both adequate beef production and esthetic values can be achieved by finding the right balance between rest and grazing for mountain meadows.

Keywords

mountain meadows, ecology, livestock production, grazing methods, forage plants, wildflowers, esthetic values, recreation, Lassen National Forest, Harvey Valley

Citation

Ratliff, Raymond D. 1972. Livestock grazing not detrimental to meadow wildflowers. Res. Note PSW-RN-270. Berkeley, CA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Forest and Range Experiment Station. 4 p