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Page 5 #35 <br />B. MAJOR USES AND INTERPRETATIONS FOR <br />1. GraZina <br />a. This site provides excellent grazing for cattle and horses. <br />It also provides good forage for deer and pronghorn. <br />The animal forage reference changes as the crowing season <br />procresses. Alkali sacaton, big bluestem switchgrass and <br />prairie cordgrass are very palatable through the summer. <br />These plants will benefit by deferment from grazing during <br />late spring and summer. <br />Vegetative palatability will influence proper use <br />considerations. The season of use, weather, kind of <br />grazing animal, past grazing use and the plant composition <br />will directly influence animal preference and performance. <br />b. Guide to Initial Stocking Rates ' <br />(1) Stocking rates given below are based on continuous <br />use for the entire growing season, and are intended <br />only as an initial guide. -Forage needs are <br />calculated on the basis of 900 lbs of air-dry forage <br />per animal unit month (AUM). To maintain proper use <br />and allow for forage that disappears through <br />trampling, small herbivore use, weatheri.nc, etc., 35 <br />percent of the palatable forage produced is <br />considered available for grazing by large <br />herbivores. <br />Condition Percent Climax <br />Class Vegetation AUM Ac Ac AUM <br />excellent 76-100 .76-1.0 1.0-1.3 <br />good 51- 75 .51-.75 1.4-1.9 <br />fair 26- 50 .26-.50 2.0-3.9 <br />poor 0- 25 0-.25 4.0-+ <br />(2) Adjustments to the initial stocking rates should be <br />made as needed to obtain proper use. With <br />specialized grazing systems, large livestock breeds, <br />uncontrolled big game herbivores, inaccessibility, <br />dormant season use, presence of introduced species, <br />etc., stocking rate adjustments will be required.