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page 6 #327 <br />B. MAJOR USES AND INTERPRETATIONS FOR <br />1. Grazing <br />a. This site provides good fall, winter and spring <br />forage for use by livestock. Heavy continuous <br />spring grazing will cause a decline in plant vigor <br />and seedling establishment, and a decrease in <br />range condition. In order to maintain a high <br />level of productivity, care must be exercised to <br />avoid overgrazing. Hoarding of sheep and movement <br />of cattle during early spring growth is necessary <br />to avoid depleting of stored carbohydrates and <br />photosynthetic material during the spring growth <br />period. The site lies along historic trails used <br />to move sheep between desert winter range and <br />mountain summer range. For this reason, the site <br />has historically been heavily grazed. A system of <br />deferred grazing, which varies the season of <br />grazing in fields during successive years, is <br />needed to maintain a healthy well - balanced plant <br />community. Rest during different seasons of the <br />year benefits different plants. Fall and winter <br />rest benefits shrubs such as fourwing saltbush, <br />winterfat, shadscale, and Wyoming big sagebrush. <br />Spring rest benefits cool- season plants such as <br />western wheatgrass, thickspike wheatgrass, <br />needleandthread thread, Indian ricegrass, Nevada <br />bluegrass, and Salina wildrye. Deferment during <br />late winter and spring reduces competition between <br />grazing animals for palatable shrubs and forbs. <br />b. Guide to Initial Stocking Rates <br />(1) <br />Stocking rates given below are based on <br />continuous use for the entire growing season, <br />and are intended only as an initial guide. <br />Forage needs are calculated on the basis of <br />900 Ibs of air -dry forage per animal unit <br />month (AUM). To maintain proper use and <br />allow for forage that disappears through <br />trampling, small herbivore use, weathering, <br />etc., 35 percent of the palatable forage <br />produced is considered available for grazing <br />by large herbivores. <br />