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Site Type: Rangeland Gravel Breaks <br />MLRA: 69 - Upper Arkansas Valley Rolling Plains R069XY064C0 <br />Animal Community — Grazing Interpretations <br />The following table lists suggested initial stocking rates for cattle under continuous grazing (year long <br />grazing or growing season long grazing) under normal growing conditions however, continuous <br />grazing is not recommended. These are conservative estimates that should be used only as <br />guidelines in the initial stages of the conservation planning process. Often, the current plant <br />composition does not entirely match any particular plant community (described in this ecological site <br />description). Because of this, a field visit is recommended, in all cases, to document plant <br />composition and production. More precise carrying capacity estimates should eventually be <br />calculated using the following stocking rate information along with animal preference data, particularly <br />when grazers other than cattle are involved. Under more intensive grazing management, improved <br />harvest efficiencies can result in an increased carrying capacity. <br />Plant Community <br />Sideoats Grama, Little Bluestem, Blue Grama (HCPC) <br />Increased Blue Grama with Decreased Mid/Tall Grass <br />Blue Grama Sod <br />Annuals, Cryptogams, Bare Ground <br />Grazing by domestic livestock is one of the major income- producing industries in the area. <br />Rangelands in this area provide yearlong forage under prescribed grazing for cattle, sheep, horses <br />and other herbivores. During the dormant period, livestock may need supplementation based on <br />reliable forage analysis. <br />*Highly variable; stocking rate needs to be determined on site. <br />Hydrology Functions <br />Water is the principal factor limiting forage production on this site. Soils in hydrologic group A and B <br />dominate this site. Infiltration varies from moderate to high and runoff potential for this site varies from <br />moderate to low depending on soil hydrologic group and ground cover. Areas where ground cover is <br />Tess than 50% have the greatest potential to have reduced infiltration and higher runoff (refer to NRCS <br />Section 4, National Engineering Handbook (NEH -4) for runoff quantities and hydrologic curves). <br />Recreational Uses <br />This site provides hunting, hiking, photography, bird watching and other opportunities. The wide <br />varieties of plants that bloom from spring until fall have an esthetic value that appeals to visitors. <br />Wood Products <br />No appreciable wood products are present on the site. <br />Other Products <br />This site is a source for gravel and is extensively mined in areas. <br />Technical Guide <br />Section IIE <br />11 <br />Production <br />(Ibs. /acre) <br />750 <br />400 <br />200 <br />Stocking <br />Rate <br />(AUM /acre) <br />0.24 <br />0.13 <br />0.06 <br />USDA NRCS <br />Rev. 3/04 <br />