By pre-commercial thinning Douglas-fir stands, canopy cover is reduced to a point where desirable livestock forages could thrive. In this study, the resultant forage was invigorated with nitrogen at 75 lbs/acre and forage production determined under a younger (25 years old) and mature (55 year old) stand of thinned Douglas-fir forest as a basis for determining livestock (beef) stocking capacity. Cumulative forage dry matter yields averaged 2.14 and 1.27 tons/acre for forages under the younger and mature stands, respectively, compared to the control (no trees) of 4.15 tons/acre. The control treatment produced approximately 27% more biomass than estimates from the USDA soil survey of 3 tons/acre in similar soil and climatic conditions. Current animal stocking rate for open areas in this region is one beef cow-calf unit to 2 acres. From this study we determined a new animal stocking rate (during the months of April to October) under thinned Douglas-fir forests of 4 and 6.5 acres per cow/calf unit for younger and mature stands, respectively. Using thinned forestland for forage production is another way to diversify and increase income for forest landowners.
source:abstract
Articles, citations, reports, websites, and multimedia resources focused on rangeland ecology, management, restoration, and other issues on American rangelands.