This study determined that cattle (Bos taurus) grazing and haying on National Wildlife Refuges, across the United States, are detrimental to the refuge goal of wildlife conservation. Overgrazing riparian habitats, wildlife mortality from cattle fence collisions, and mowing of migratory bird habitat during the breeding season are some of the problems uncovered in this study. Cattle grazing and haying were found to be expensive, with most of the money earned through permittees not being allotted back to the refuges. The authors suggest prescribed burning as a replacement for grazing and haying in order to enhance wildlife conservation.
Citations and enhanced abstracts for journals articles and documents focused on rangeland ecology and management. RSIS is a collaboration between Montana State University, University of Idaho, and University of Wyoming.