Rangeland Ecology & Management

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STOCKMANSHIP, GRAZING ASSOCIATIONS AND PUBLIC LANDS MANAGEMENT
Author
Cote, Steve
Publisher
Society for Range Management
Publication Year
2015
Body

Overgrazing and over resting of upland range are occurring on most allotments reducing potential bio-diversity. Riparian areas also lose diversity when cattle keep returning to them during the same grazing season. Attempts to resolve riparian area condition on public range by intensified riding and administrative actions has been largely unsuccessful, leading to contention and more animal health problems such as pneumonia. Range planning that will enhance or protect diversity is not hard to accomplish but high control over the stock is usually integral. Bud Williams Stockmanship is a proven tool for achieving high control over the stock. Cattle will come together as one herd so where you find one you find them all, riparian loafing becomes a thing of the past and the herd stays where you want them. This has been successfully implemented on a number of allotments in central Idaho, using collaborative planned grazing. The knowledge of how to achieve significant improvements in range condition and get extraordinary control over stock even on steep mountain range exists. The challenge that remains is how to get all riders and entire grazing associations to adopt it and stick with it (we have met the enemy and it is us). Achievement of widespread range improvements as well as widespread animal health benefits will likely require a high adoption rate of low stress handling. This presentation will show the major steps of past efforts that have been successful, including an outline of the techniques, principles and tips of range planning and livestock handling.

Language
English
Resource Type
Text
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Conference Name
SRM Sacramento, CA