To better understand forage production (above ground biomass) and precipitation patterns in the Central Coast region of California, a rangeland forage production monitoring network was started in 2001. We began by establishing six sites within San Luis Obispo County, and by 2013 we had 18 sites, that were spread out into three different rainfall zones: greater than 63 cm (coastal), between 20 cm and 63 cm (central) and less than 20 cm (eastern). Forage production was measured each spring. Annual precipitation ranged from less than 5 cm to over 100 cm depending on the site and year. Total production ranged from 32 kg, to over 11,200 kg ha-1 depending on the site and year. Total annual precipitation was closely related to total production. Monthly distribution of that precipitation also influenced forage production. This data has helped local ranchers, agricultural commissioners, resource conservation districts and others in making management decisions for rangelands on the Central Coast, ranchers being particularly interested. This project will continue, and the data will also be useful for comparing changes that may occur due to climate change in the coming years.Â
Oral presentation and poster titles, abstracts, and authors from the Society for Range Management (SRM) Annual Meetings and Tradeshows, from 2013 forward.