A modified utilization gauge for western range grasses

Earl F. Aldon; Richard E. Francis

doi:10.2737/RM-RN-438

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A modified utilization gauge for western range grasses

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Earl F. Aldon, Richard E. Francis

Year:

1984

Type:

Research Note

Station:

Rocky Mountain Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2737/RM-RN-438

Source:

Res. Note RM-RN-438. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station. 2 p.

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Abstract

Accurate, low cost measurements of forage utilization by livestock are essential in range management and the evaluation of grazing systems. However, because of difficulty in making these measurements, visual estimates often are substituted for measured values. To help land managers better determine use, range utilization calculating charts (Crafts 1938, NRCAB 1962) have been revised into a utilization gauge. Height-weight distributions of two additional southwestern grasses have been measured and incorporated into this gauge.Grass gauges are currently available through Colorado State University Bookstore:https://www.bookstore.colostate.edu/shop/general-books/grass-utilization-gauges/gauge

Keywords

range management, grass utilization, grazing, livestock

Citation

Aldon, Earl F.; Francis, Richard E. 1984. A modified utilization gauge for western range grasses. Res. Note RM-RN-438. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station. 2 p.