Get reliable rangeland science

The loss of rangeland ecosystem function (health) is most often attributed to an imbalance of forage supply and demand. As changes in atmospheric chemistry increasingly drive climate variability and production, most rangeland-based livestock grazing systems are predicted to be increasingly difficult to manage. A central tenet of rangeland management has always been the establishment of a sustainable stocking rate (based on carrying capacity) and adjustments to that stocking rate based on annual growing conditions. Reduced forage production was typically either tolerated (temporarily reduced animal performance) or mitigated (supplemental feeding). When forage production was greater than anticipated, managers either acquired more grazing animals or diverted excess forage to other uses (hay, fuel, range improvement). An inability to respond quickly enough by adjusting animal numbers can either result in degradation or missed opportunities. In this workshop, we will examine historical evidence for improving stocking rate decisions, prediction tools that might be helpful in making stocking rate decisions and discuss the application of these concepts and tools to different ecosystem and livestock operations.