Get reliable science

Vegetation on rangelands is a function of two primary anthropogenic disturbances, grazing and fire. Our hypothesis, that fire and grazing management can control the invasion of McCartney rose on Texas Coastal Prairie rangeland, was tested on the Duncan Spade Ranch from 2012-2017. The ranch�s goal is to reduce McCartney Rose using grazing and prescribed burning to eliminate herbicide use for brush and weed control. The study area in Wharton County, Texas consisted of 900 acres fenced into five pastures and grazed rotationally by one herd of 150-160 cows. The average initial vegetation cover of McCartney rose was 23%. The Grazing Manager (TGM) was used to allocate forage for grazing and fuel for burning. Grazing was deferred during the summer and fall for pastures scheduled for prescribed burning in the winter. All prescribed burns were conducted during the winter dormant season. During the first three years, grazing was extended too far into the fall on pastures to be burned. This reduced the quantity and continuity of the fuel, decreasing the effectiveness of fire in reducing cover and stature of McCartney rose. During the 2015-16 and 2016-17 winters, grazing was excluded starting in July for the pastures that were burned. This practice improved range condition and increased the effectiveness of prescribed burns. McCartney rose cover in July 2017 averaged 8% and stature of rose plants was reduced. TGM was critical to allocate adequate fuel for effective burns and determine how much forage would be available for grazing to set herd size (stocking rate). We conclude that the effectiveness of McCartney rose control by prescribed burning depends on monitoring to allocate adequate biomass to fuel to achieve effective burns and to balance herd size with available forage.