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Page 5 #15 <br />B• _MAJOR UBE8 AND IMURETATIOMS FOR <br />1. Livestock Grazing <br />a. This site provides excellent forage for cattle especially <br />during the summer. It provides good forage for sheep, <br />pronghorn, deer and small mammals. <br />The animal forage preference changes as the growing <br />season progresses. Sand bluestem, switchgrass, yellow <br />Indiangrass and prairie sandreed are very palatable <br />during the summer. It is important that the proper <br />stocking rate and planned deferement and rotation be <br />scheduled so these grasses are.not grazed out and <br />replaced by less desirable plants or "blowouts." <br />Deferment of grazing through the late spring and summer <br />will benefit the warm season grasses while deferment of <br />grazing from early spring through ea=1y summer will <br />benefit the cool season grasses. This site responds <br />rapidly to proper management, especially deferment <br />through the growing season. <br />Vegetative palatability will influence proper grazing use <br />considerations. The season of use, climate, type of <br />grazing animal, past grazing use and plant composition <br />will directly influence animal grazing preference and <br />performance. <br />b. Guide to Initial Stockina.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 <br />forage per animal unit month (AUM). To maintain <br />proper use and allow for forage that disappears <br />through trampling, small herbivore-use, weathering, <br />etc., 35 percent of the palatable forage produced <br />is considered available for grazing by large <br />herbivores. <br />Condition Percent Climax <br />Class Vegetation A[AC` AC AIIM <br />Excellent 76-100 .43-.56 1.8-2.6 <br />Good 51-75 .29-.42 2.7-3.5 <br />Fair 26-50 .15-.28 3.6-7.3 <br />Poor 0-2!9 (0)-.14 7.4-(+) <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 <br />breeds, uncontrolled ungulates, .inaccessibility, <br />dormant season use, presence of introduced forage <br />species, seeded rangeland etc., stocking rate <br />adjustments will be required.