Show conservation in san juan county by sharlene arlone Sh fulmer of total land acreage percent is used for grazin grazing purposes therefore it is important that we pay careful attention to the range condition this term refers to the quantity and quality of forage in relation to the potential productive capacity of the range land the condition of the range and largely determines what it will produce in livestock and in livestock products ranges in good condition produce more and at less cost unless they are kept in good condition production will fall off and production costs will increase in an excellent range condition the majority of the plants are those that provide he greatest possible nutrition to livestock and are sufficiently abundant to prevent losses of soil and moisture under grazing use when there is good reproduction of the better grasses and other desirable forage plants either by seed or other vegetative spread such as runners or underground roots some litter on the ground under and between the plants and little or no silt in the runoff run off water the range is in excellent condition conditi om we should lighten the grazing on that have declined un der heavy stocking to produce marked effects on an overgrazed over grazed range immediately range recovery takes longer than range distraction so we cant base the normal rate of stocking on orne one years forage production it is not good to allow livest livestock to graze the plants so closely that insufficient cover is kept to hold snow and retard runoff run off A loose porous soil with its dense and vigorous plant cover absorbs fall and winter moisture and redu reduces c es the runoff run off from spring thaws why should we use our range according to the seasonal growth requirements of the forage it is advisable that we plan the time of grazing according to the seasonal development orf of the valuable forage plants and al allo lowthe wit new growth of grasses to reach before being grazed a height that will enable them to continue to grow vigorously after grazing has started close continuous grazing reduces the total amount of forage produced alternating the use of pastures during the g growing season gives the plants morre more opportunity to produce nutrients I 1 it is best that we schedule the use of different parts of the range in such a manner that desirable forage plants will be produced in sufficient abundance each season to enable livestock to make the greatest possible gains it is advantageous advanTage orus that we end the grazing each year in time to let the better plants store up sufficient food materials to carry them through the winter and start vigorous growth the following spring we force the use of seasonal growth of poorer plants to the point where the better plants will be driven out you may get rid of the poorer plants but the better ones will get out first too many stockmen stoc kmen graze their lands before there is a plentiful supply of early forage this year looks as though it t will be quite dry if it is we should take care that the better plan to not be eaten closer than the safe stubble height in average bunch grasses from I 1 to 6 inches and short grasses 1 I to 2 inches in height fences should be established wherever possible along the general boundaries of different range condition areas so that each range can be given the special kind of management it needs to improve the condition salt should be distributed in the underused under used portions of range in good condition the distance between the salt grounds is usually two or three miles it should be made available for use at the time the livestock are scheduled schedule 4 to graze the locality of the salt gr ground dont have the salt and water together they should be at continued on page 9 conservation continued from page pace 8 least one mile apart for the average lapse of time between salt and drink Is seven and one half hours on a range with considerable variation in the type and condition of the vegetation salt should be put out at times corresponding to the period the vegetation should be used ranges in poor condition may bs be relieved by developing water in portions of the range when the forage is going to waste and trans Vf erring animals to such places aock jelt it is good practice to heard live away from areas in poor condition allow them to graze leisurely in better areas change bed grounds for sheep frequently preferably each night by using 0 some of these conservation practices we can look for improvements lets cooperate |