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<br />Page 6 M240 <br />B. MAJOR USES ANO INTERPRETATIONS FOR <br />1. Livestock Grazing <br />a. The site provides good to excellent spring and summer forage <br />for cattle and horses, and good summer forage for sheep. <br />Livestock access can be limited on the steeper slopes thereby <br />reducing grazing values especially for certain kinds and <br />age-classes of animals. Care should be exercised to avoid <br />aver-grazing on the steeper slopes due to the very high <br />erosion hazard. <br />The anima! forage preference changes as the growing season <br />progresses. All of the dominant grasses on this site are most <br />palatable in the late spring and summer season. Good management <br />on this site necessitates that proper grazing use and a planned <br />system of deferment be followed so that these dominant grasses <br />are not grazed out and replaced by less desirable species. <br />Summer deferment from June 1 through August 31 will benefit <br />mountain muhly, Arizona fescue and Parry oatgrass; while spring <br />through early summer deferment will benefit muttongrass and <br />western wheatgrass. <br />b. Guide to Initial Stockinc Rates: <br />(1> Stocking rates given below are based on continuous use <br />for the entire growing season and are intended only as an <br />initial guide. Forage needs are calculated on the basis <br />of 900 pounds/month air-dry forage per animal unit. To <br />maintain proper use and allow for forage that disappears <br />through trampling, small herbivore use, weathering, etc., <br />35 percent of the palatable forage produced is considered <br />useable. <br />Condition Percent Clieas <br />Class Vegetation AC/AUM AUM/AC <br />Excellent 76 - 100 2.4 - 2.9 .42 - .34 <br />Good 51 - 75 3.0 - 4.7 .33 - .22 <br />Fair 26 - 50 4.8 - 8.1 .21 - .13 <br />Poor 0 - 25 8.2+ .12 - <br />(2) Adjustments to the initial stocking rates should be made <br />as needed to obtain proper use. With specialized grazing <br />systems, large livestock breeds, uncontrolled big game <br />herbivores, inaccessability, dormant season use, presence <br />of introduced species, etc., stocking rate adjustments <br />will be required. <br />1 <br />