1. Grazing Management for Healthy Riparian Areas Authors: Gene Surber, MSU Extension Natural Resources Specialist Bob Ehrhart, Research Specialist, RWRP, Univ. of Montana

2. Introduction Addresses principles and techniques for grazing your riparian areas Each ranch operation is unique

3. General Principles for Grazing Livestock in Riparian Areas 1. Taylor your grazing approach 2. Incorporate into overall plan 3. Select a season of use 4. Limit livestock time 5. Influence livestock time 6. Ensure adequate vegetation cover 7. Provide adequate regrowth time & rest 8. Take an active management role

4. 1. Taylor your grazing approach No cookbook solutions Specific riparian objectives Inventory Monitoring program

5. 2. Incorporate into overall plan Dont neglect the majority of the ranch Consider impact of actions on riparian areas What you do in riparian areas my affect your uplands – vice versa

6. 3. Select a season of use No one season is best Dependent upon Physical characteristics Condition Plant stage development Weather Types of animals

7. 4. Limit livestock time Cow/Calf pairs spend a disproportionate amount of time near the creek Reduce time in riparian pastures

8. 5. Influence livestock distribution Encourage cattle to move away from the stream Season of use Off-stream water

9. 6. Ensure adequate vegetation cover How much Type Adequate – depends upon Location Spring runoff Wildlife use

10. 7. Provide adequate regrowth time & rest Plants need rest for: Growth Seed development Storage of carbohydrates

11. 8. Active management role On-the-ground observation Flexibility to changing conditions

12. Variety of techniques Appropriate season of use for grazing riparian areas Reducing intensity of use – distribution of livestock

13. Determining Season of Use The predicted response of different plant species; The grazing impact on plant communities; and The percent of soil moisture on the site.

14. Early season (spring) grazing Livestock attracted to uplands Cool temperatures Wet soils – may discourage use Coarse-textured, fine-grained soils

15. Hot-season (mid-summer) Closely monitor – limited duration Encourage livestock to move out Provide opportunity for regrowth Warm season species

16. Late Season (fall) grazing Herbaceous versus tree or shrub Cool season plant communities Off-stream water available

17. Winter Use Large pasture Drainages colder than uplands Frozen soil – to reduce compaction

18. Techniques: reduce intensity Influence distribution Alternate water

19. Influence livestock distribution Troughs dug into hillsides – covered with dirt Stable access points to water

20. Influence livestock distribution Side bars Gravel Simple bridge

21. Influence livestock distribution Placement of salt and minerals Improve upland forage

22. Influence livestock distribution Extended plant rest Riding

23. Influence livestock distribution Drift fences or other obstacles

24. Influence livestock distribution Turn-in location Small pastures Closer management control

25. Influence livestock distribution Fencing Restoration Protect streambanks Rehabilitation

26. Influence livestock distribution Permanent fencing No fence options Water gaps