Authors discuss using cattle or other livestock as a vegetation management tool. Grazing has the potential to allow tree seedlings to establish on tree plantations in the absence of competing vegetation. General guidelines to follow include 1) palatable forage must be available to minimize conifer damage, 2) vegetation should be grazed before stored soil moisture is depleted in areas where moisture is limiting, 3) animal numbers and distribution must be controlled to reduce browsing and trampling damage and ensure uniform vegetation control, and 4) costs of implementing a grazing program must be minimized. Other focuses are on livestock forage preferences, timing of grazing, livestock control, and intensity of grazing. In conclusion, it was suggested that in areas were herbicide use is not feasible or where multiple-use objectives have high priority, livestock may be a viable cost-effective tool for controlling competing vegetation in young plantations.
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.