Manifest destiny and westward expansion, North America was covered with large mammals that moved across the landscape grazing as they went. These animals were crowded out and replaced with different large mammals that were tamer and easier to raise for human consumption.
Prior to the Taylor Grazing Act of 1934, massive amounts of cattle and sheep were let loose to graze on public lands, resulting in overgrazing and soil degradation. The Taylor Grazing Act still allows for grazing on public lands, but regulates it through apportionment and the grazing districts.
Livestock grazing can be a great land management technique, or it can be a terrible disaster. Overgrazing leads to erosion, explosions of weed populations and reduction of forage. Proper grazing can lead to a healthier ecosystem that continues to produce forage and reduce weed populations.
When stocking rates are too high and livestock are allowed to graze continually on a single pasture, they naturally gravitate to desired forage and eat it until those plant species can no longer compete due to their weakened root system. This allows for undesirable plants, some native and some noxious, to expand their population exponentially until drastic measures are required to rehabilitate the pasture.
In areas where all of the forage is desirable and overgrazing occurs, all that is left is barren soil, susceptible to blowing away in a strong wind or sliding down a hillside in a rainstorm, creating arroyos.
Good grazing isn’t cut and dry, but depends on proper stocking rates and rotational grazing. Not every acre is created equal, and some may support more animals and some may support less depending on the plant communities present.
Rotational grazing moves animals from one pasture to the next, allowing the plants to rebound, both maintaining their foothold in the current community and creating more food as they grow.
Good grazing practices help prevent livestock poisoning, as well, as many native species are toxic but are rarely selected for forage. When desirable species are overgrazed, poisonous plants like the noxious weed Russian knapweed can take over.
When faced with starvation or eating a poisonous plant, the livestock will resort to filling their bellies. Ironically, Russian knapweed causes chewing disease in horses and is incurable. It results in starvation. Chewing disease destroys the part of their brain that is responsible for motor movement in the mouth. Afflicted horses will drag their nose across forage as if they were eating but can’t actually open their mouth or chew.
Grazing livestock isn’t just a way to put food on the table using the land, but can also be a handy conservation technique when done correctly. As many ranchers know, grazing is more complex than a short article can surmise.
Archuleta County Weed and Pest is your local resource for managing noxious weed populations and controlling other pests.
Email list
Do you want to be added to our email distribution list to learn about upcoming programs and the latest resources? Email cindi.galabota@colostate.edu to be added to our list.
Or, to learn more about the many programs, resources and services offered by Colorado State University (CSU) Extension, visit https://extension.colostate.edu.
Seed potatoes for sale
Place your order today for Colorado certified and non-GMO seed potatoes. Five varieties of potatoes are available.
Order by April 30 and pick up your potatoes May 13, 14 and 15 at the CSU Extension Office. Visit https://archuleta.extension.colostate.edu or call (970) 264-5931to learn more and place your order today.
Be prepared for an
emergency
A “Be Prepared for an Emergency” workshop with Cindi Galabota, CSU extension director, and Lacy Capre, Archuleta County Public Health outreach specialist, is set for 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 26, at the CSU Extension Building at 344 U.S. 84. This free workshop will cover the best practices for preparing for and recovery from an emergency.
Field to Freezer Course
Colorado Parks and Wildlife will be holding its Field to Freezer Course on May 16 and 17 at the CSU Extension building located at 344 U.S. 84.
Trained professionals will teach you how to responsibly care for and process the meat from any big game ungulate in Colorado. Participants must be at least 16 years old. Visit https://forms.gle/owfhB5R8PTpYYHGGA to register.
There are limited spots available. Applications are due by May 9.
Vermiculture workshop
Join Galabota for a fun, hands-on and engaging Vermiculture Workshop. Learn all about the vital role worms play in healthy soils and build your own worm composting bin.
It is set for 10 a.m. on June 28 at the CSU Extension Building at 344 U.S. 84. There is a $20 materials fee. RSVP at (970) 264-5931 or https://archuleta.extension.colostate.edu/.
CPR and first aid classes
CPR and first aid certification classes are offered every other month at the CSU Extension office, generally on the third Monday and Wednesday from 6 to 10 p.m. The cost for the classes is $80 for combined CPR/first aid and $55 for CPR, first aid or recertification. Call the Extension office at (970) 264-5931 to register.
Check out the online option on our website, https://archuleta.extension.colostate.edu/.
