Guide To Native Grassland Management In Nebraska
Guide to Native GrasslandManagement in NebraskaPresented byNebraska Game &Parks CommissionConAgra Foods FoundationPeter Kiewit Foundation
Guide to Native Grassland Management in Nebraskaby Tim R. TunnellGrassland ManagerThe Nature Conservancy /Platte River Habitat Partnership13650 S. Platte River Dr.Wood River, NE .org All photos by Chris Helzer unless otherwise noted.Editorial Assistance by Jill JeffreyThe Nature ConservancyLayout by Joe SparanoOxide Design Co.www.oxide design.com 2004The Nature Conservancy
AcknowledgementsI would like to thank Chris Helzer, Jill Jeffrey, and BrentLathrop of The Nature Conservancy, Tim McCoy of the NebraskaGame and Parks Commission, Bill Whitney of Prairie PlainsResource Institute, and Dr. Susan Tunnell of the University ofNebraska for their review of this document.I would also like to thank The Nature Conservancy, NebraskaChapter, Nebraska Game & Parks Commission, United StatesFish & Wildlife Service, ConAgra Foods Foundation, and PeterKiewit Foundation for funding to support the development of thispublication and the Platte River Habitat Partnership.
table of contents1. Introduction2. Native Grasslands3. Common Range Plantsa. Grassb. Grasslikec. Forbd. Legumee. Woody4. Grazing Managementa. Stocking Rateb. Overstockingc. Effects of Overgrazingd. Livestock Distributione. Grazing Systems5. Prescribed Firea. Objectivesb. Fire Behaviorc. Training and Experienced. Weather6. Prairie Hay Managementa. Time of Cuttingb. Cutting Heightc. Grazingd. Prescribed Burninge. Fertilizationf. Rotational Haying
7. Undesirable and Alien Plantsa. Control Methods (Weeds)i. Grazing Managementii. Prescribed Burningiii. Mechanical Controliv. Herbicidesb. Control Methods (Trees)i. Prescribed Burningii. Mechanical Controliii. Herbicides8. Wildlife HabitatSuggested ReadingGlossaryAppendices
1introductionPhoto by Chris Helzer
The purpose of this reference guide is to provide basicinformation on how to preserve and enhance the natural qualitiesof one of the greatest resources of the Great Plains nativegrassland and its biodiversity. Proper management of nativegrasslands benefit the livestock producer whose enterprise is basedon sustaining a high level of production and income. Improvedgrassland management also benefits wildlife enthusiasts suchas hunters, photographers, and wildlife watchers by enhancinghabitat value. This guide is intended to provide fundamentalinformation to aid in grassland management decisions.Improving grasslands are as important to the productivity andprofitability of livestock grazing operations as are breeding animalselection, marketing strategies, vaccination programs, planting,and harvesting dates. To a producer, the main objective of a farmor livestock enterprise is sustained maximum production, which isthe foundation for sustained maximum income. These can only berealized when forage production is maintained at a maximum level.Unfortunately, many native grasslands have deteriorated,yielding only a fraction of their production capacity for forage andlivestock, not to mention wildlife. Additionally, every grasslandpresents a different problem related to management, so there is nota single answer for manipulating the factors related to managementof that particular grassland. Good grassland managementdepends mainly on an understanding of key factors concerningrangeland ecology and livestock behavior, which is supplemented
by management experience and good judgment. Knowledge oflivestock grazing habits and plant growth can be used to determinegood grazing practices that benefit not only livestock productionbut also wildlife.There are two critical components for management plansthat enhance native grasslands for livestock and achieve wildlifebenefits. The first component is that plant diversity is a positiveaspect of any grassland or rangeland. A grassland of one type ofgrass (i.e., smooth brome or Kentucky bluegrass) that grows tothe same height each year and is cut, burned, or left idle doesnot exhibit the required structural and compositional diversitythat is required for most wildlife species and can also affect thegrazing potential of livestock. If all grasses in a pasture are coolseason (i.e., grasses that are actively growing during early-springand late-fall), the grazing potential of the pasture is decreasedduring the warm-season months, and the livestock may requiresupplementation to make it through the season in good condition.The second component is that native plants just make sense.Native plants are adapted to local soil and climate conditionsand are generally more resilient to drought and disturbance thannon-native plants. In addition to supporting a variety of wildlifespecies, native warm-season grasses provide good forage forlivestock during the summer months when cool-season grasses aredormant. Additionally, many native forbs are highly nutritious.But, there may be many non-native plants in the area, andincreasing native plant diversity may require considerable effort.In the long run, however, native plants may be more economical tosustain.The next few chapters will provide information concerningmanagement of native grasslands for the benefits of livestockproduction and grassland wildlife habitat. The informationcovered will include common range plant identification, grazingmanagement, prescribed burning, prairie hay management,undesirable or alien plants, and a discussion of wildlife habitat.Each section will include information for enhancing the nativequalities of grassland habitat.
2native grasslandsPhoto by Chris Helzer10
The term native grasslands, rangeland, and prairie can beused interchangeably, but there are differences that should beclarified. Grasslands include fields planted to native grasses,prairies that have some of their historic plant diversity (e.g.,survived as hay meadows cut annually for livestock forage), andrangeland. Whereas prairie and native grassland are terms thatrefer to a general land cover type, rangeland is a different categoryreferring to land used for grazing. In the Great Plains, rangelandrefers to large, uncultivated lands in which the native vegetationis predominantly grasses, grasslike plants, forbs, or shrubs andis extensively managed based on ecological principles with ahistory of livestock grazing (not all grasslands evolved with largeherbivores and heavy grazing). Rangeland can also have trees as asavanna plant community. In short, not all prairie is rangeland that is, it is not all grazed.Rangeland Characteristics:1. Suitable for grazing or browsing2. No periodic cultivation3. Extensively managed based on ecological principles4. History of livestock grazing5. Multiple sustainable products6. Marginal for row-crop agriculture11
There are 16 different rangeland types within the UnitedStates used for livestock production. These rangeland types differin forage production and in plant species found in each rangeland,based on the physical characteristics of the area and climate. TheGreat Plains consist of tallgrass prairie, mixed-grass prairie, andshortgrass prairie, and all three of these prairie types are found inNebraska (figure 1).Central Tallgrass PrairieNorthern Tallgrass PrairieOsage Plains/Flint Hills PrairieBlack HillsNorthern Greatplains SteppeSouthern Shortgrass PrairieCentral Mixed Grass PrairieNorthern Mixed Grass PrairieCentral Shortgrass PrairieFigure 1. Prairie Types of the Great PlainsThe tallgrass prairie is situated between the eastern deciduousforest and the mixed-grass prairie. The tallgrass prairie has fourmain grass species, big bluestem, little bluestem, Indiangrass, andswitchgrass. This area is known for periodic drought and fire.Historically, fires occurred every 3 to 5 years. However, today mostnatural fires are suppressed. Annual precipitation on the easternside of the tallgrass prairie ranges from 30 to 40 inches, and on thewestern edge average annual precipitation is 25 to 30 inches, with12
most of the precipitation occurring from April to October.The mixed-grass prairie is located between the tallgrass prairieand the shortgrass prairie. Much of this area evolved under grazingpressure from bison, therefore, most of the plants found here aregrazing tolerant. Because this area receives less precipitation thanthe tallgrass prairie, it contains both mid- to shortgrasses. Theeastern portion of the mixed-grass prairie receives about 20 to 25inches of annual precipitation and the western portion receivesabout 12 to 15 inches of precipitation annually.The shortgrass prairie is located on the west side of the mixedgrass prairie. It receives 12 to 20 inches of annual precipitationwith over 60% falling in the summer growing season. The maingrasses are blue grama and buffalograss which are both grazingtolerant.13
3common range plantsPhoto by Chris Helzer14
Range plants can be classified into 4 main categories; grass,grasslike, forb, and woody. Most native grasslands are comprisedof representatives from all classes. Because each class has differentstrategies for growth and resistance to grazing, it is helpfulfor range managers to be able to identify them for effectivemanagement.The life span, season of growth, and origin of plants haveimportant management implications. Plants may live for asingle season (annuals), two years (biennials), or multiple years(perennials).Annuals complete their entire life cycle in one growing seasonand their survival strategies tend to be opportunistic. Becauseannuals have a short life span, they typically grow rapidly and areprolific seed producers, often making them weedy. Managementfor annuals must ensure viable seed production, whereas perennialmanagement tends to focus more on the health of leaves and roots.Biennial plants take two years to produce seed and complete theirlife cycle. Biennials remain vegetative during the first growingseason, survive a dormant period, and become reproductive duringthe second year of growth. Perennials produce new leaves from thesame plant for three or more years.The season of growth controls the timing of forage productionand forage quality. Consequently, this affects the grazingpreferences of animals. Generally, cool-season plants have higherforage quality whereas warm-season plants tend to be more15
productive and use water more efficiently. Cool-season plantsgrow primarily during the spring and fall, but can remain activeduring the winter. Examples of cool-season grasses include Canadawildrye, western wheatgrass, and smooth brome. The optimumtemperature for cool-season plant growth is 77ºF. Warm-seasonplants grow from late-spring to early-fall, with optimum growthtemperatures being about 95ºF. Nebraska rangelands can bedominated by warm-season plants, such as big bluestem, littlebluestem, and blue grama, depending on rangeland condition.Native plants are part of the historic plant community andare well adapted to coexist with grazing animals, but a number ofplants have been accidentally or purposely brought into the UnitedStates. These introduced species are often difficult to managebecause they lack natural control agents. Others, such as smoothbrome, musk thistle, and tall fescue have caused widespreaddegradation of rangelands.GrassesGrasses have long, narrow leaves with parallel veins andnondescript flowers. The stems are hollow or pithy in cross-section.Grasses are members of the plant family Poaceae. There are twobasic groups of grasses based upon physiological characteristics.Cool-season grasses (C3) grow best in the spring and fall when it iscooler and usually wetter, and warm-season (C4) grasses grow bestin the summer. Pages 18-24Grasslike PlantsGrasslike plants include rushes and sedges. These plants aresimilar to grasses in general appearance and have leaves withparallel veins, but the stems are solid in cross-section, lackingjoints, and often have triangular stems. Page 25ForbsForbs are broad-leaved plants that die back each winter andhave net-like veins in the leaves. Forbs are commonly calledweeds, but are more accurately termed forbs because weeds are16
undesirable plants of any class. Unidentified forbs should not beassumed to be weeds, because many provide desirable forage forlivestock and wildlife. Pages 26-30LegumesA legume can either be a forb or woody plant, which hasnitrogen-fixing abilities. A legume is a highly desirable plant forboth livestock and wildlife production purposes, because theyusually have protein-rich seeds in pods, similar to alfalfa. Page 31Woody Broadleaf PlantsA woody broadleaf plant, typically referred to as a tree orshrub, exhibit woody stems that remain for multiple years.Pages 32-33Noxious Weeds and Species of ConcernA noxious weed is any plant designated by a Federal, Stateor county government as injurious to public health, agriculture,recreation, wildlife or property. These noxious plants are a seriousthreat to native species, communities, and ecosystems in manyareas. They can compete with and displace native plants, animals,and other organisms that depend on them, alter ecosystemfunctions and cycles significantly, hybridize with native species,and promote other invaders. Species of concern are plants that arenot labeled as “Noxious” in the legal sense, but are highly invasivespecies in native communities and efforts should be taken tosuppress them. The species are highlighted with a star (*).17
GrassesNative warm-season perennialBig BluestemLittle BluestemIndiangrassSwitchgrassBlue GramaBuffalograssHairy GramaSideoats GramaTall Dropseed18
GrassesNative warm-season perennialPurple LovegrassSand LovegrassSand DropseedPrairie CordgrassPrairie SandreedPerennial ThreeawnTumblegrass19
GrassesNative Warm-season annualCommon WitchgrassField SandburPrairie ThreeawnMutton BluegrassSandberg BluegrassBluejoint ReedgrassFoxtail BarleyIndian RicegrassGreen NeedlegrassNative Cool-season perennial20
GrassesNative Cool-season perennialNeedlelandthreadPorcupinegrassScribner PanicumWilcox PanicumNorthern ReedgrassPrairie JunegrassSquirreltailSlender WheatgrassWestern Wheatgrass21
GrassesNative Cool-season perennialCanada WildryePrairie WedgegrassReed Canary*Sixweeks FescueBarnyardgrassNative Cool-season annualLittle Barleyintroduced warm-season annualGreen BristlegrassYellow Bristlegrass22Stinkgrass
Grassesintroduced Cool-season perennialCanada BluegrassMeadow BromeCreeping Foxtail*OrchardgrassRedtop BentTimothyRussian WildryeSmooth Brome*Tall Fescue*23
GrassesIntroduced Cool-season perennialTall Wheatgrass*Crested Wheatgrass*Kentucky Bluegrass*Introduced Cool-season annualDowny BromeJapanese Brome24Intermediate Wheatgrass*
GrasslikesNative Cool-season perennial (Sedges)Nebraska SedgeNeedleleaf SedgeSunsedgeThreadleaf SedgeFescue SedgeBroom SedgeNative Cool-season perennial (rushes)American BulrushField Horsetail25Hordstem Bulrush
Forbsnative perennialWestern YarrowWestern RagweedHeath AsterFlodman ThistleWavyleaf ThistleBlacksamsonWild LicoriceStiff SunflowerGayfeather26
ForbsNative perennialSerrate-Leaf PrimroseShell Leaf PenstemonUpright Prairie ConeflowerStiff (Rigid) GoldenrodPrairie (Missouri) GoldenrodLong-Bracted SpiderwortWestern Ironweed27
Forbsintroduced perennialCanada Thistle*Bull Thistle*Purple Loosestrife*MarestailTexas CrotonLeafy Spurge*native annualRocky Mountain Bee Plant28
ForbsNative annualDaisy FleabaneSnow-on-the-MountainCommon SunflowerPlains Sunflower (Prairie Sunflower)Maximilian’s SunflowerHorse MintBitter SneezweedPlains CoreopsisBlue (Prostrate) Vervain29
ForbsNative annualCommon Ragweednative biennialCommon Evening PrimroseBlack-eyed Susanintroduced biennialMusk Thistle*30
Legumesnative perennialWhite Prairie CloverPurple Prairie CloverIllinois BundleflowerLeadplantRoundheaded LespedezaCatclaw Sensitivebriarnative annualAmerican Deervetch31
Woody PlantsEastern Red Cedar*Eastern CottonwoodHackberryRough-Leaf DogwoodHoney LocustSmooth SumacBuckbrushAmerican ElmPrairie Wild Rose32
Woody PlantsRussian Olive*Salt Cedar** - Noxious weeds and species of concernReprinted from North American Wildland Plants: A Field Guide by JamesStubbendieck, Stephan L. Hatch, and L.M. Landholt by permission ofthe University of Nebraska Press. 2003 by the Board of Regents of theUniversity of Nebraska.Reprinted from Common Legumes of the Great Plains: An Illustrated Guide by JamesStubbendieck and Elverne C. Conard by permission of the University ofNebraska Press. 1989 by the University of Nebraska Press.Reprinted from Nebraska Range and Pasture Forbs and Shrubs by JamesStubbendieck, James Nichols and Chuck Butterfield by permission. ExtensionCircular 89-118. Cooperative Extension Service, University of Nebraska,Lincoln.Reprinted from Nebraska Range and Pasture Grasses by James Stubbendieck,James Nichols and Kelly Roberts by permission. Extension Circular 85-170.Cooperative Extension Service, University of Nebraska, Lincoln.33
4grazing managementPhoto by Chris Helzer34
Grazing is the primary tool used to manage rangeland forlivestock production, but grazing can also be used to enhancewildlife habitat. In a native rangeland, the foundation of plantproduction is in the plant growth, primarily grasses. Harvestingthis production is accomplished by grazing of herbivores suchas cattle, bison, horses, sheep, or goats. Optimum grazing usemaintains the most palatable and productive forage speciesover time and under a wide range of environmental conditions(drought, etc.). Grazing management requires knowledge of thegrassland plant community and all of the environmental factorsinfluencing it and from the standpoint of livestock production. Itrequires an understanding of the relationship of timing, frequency,and intensity of livestock grazing and how these factors affectnative grasslands.Factors of Grazing Management:1. Timing of defoliation - the time of year that a pasture isgrazed or rested2. Frequency of defoliation - the number of days a pasture isstocked with livestock3. Intensity of defoliation - the stocking rate for a pasture forone grazing periodGrazing has impacts on species composition and rangecondition by selecting for some plants (decreasers) and against35
others (increasers). Depending on stocking rate, livestockgrazing can alter the composition of the forage base by changingthe proportions of plant species present, and perhaps cause theintroduction of other species (invaders) due to the increase in bareground or reduced competition. Livestock grazing can also increasethe productivity of selected species, increase the nutritive qualityof the forage, and alter vegetation structure. A manager must havean understanding of plant growth, soil quality, fencing, waterdevelopment, harvesting, resting, and much more to maintain agrassland that benefits both livestock and wildlife.Stocking RateSelection of the correct stocking rate, the number of animals(kind and classes) grazing a unit of land for a specified timeperiod (see Appendix A) is the most important decision in grazingmanagement from the standpoint of economic return, vegetation,livestock, and wildlife. Stocking rate will influence how well theplants recover from grazing during the growing season, have anegative or a positive impact on future forage production of thepasture, and affect the quality of the available forage. Ultimately,the effects of the stocking rate will influence livestock performanceand the bottom line of the producer.In general, forage production is greater under moderate orlight grazing, which is also compatible with improvement of rangecondition. The recommended stocking rates for rangelands arebased on light to moderate use of forage production on an annualbasis. This level of grazing will ensure high and stable profitswhile benefiting grassland health and wildlife habitat. Researchsupports the conce
on sustaining a high level of production and income. Improved grassland management also benefits wildlife enthusiasts such as hunters, photographers, and wildlife watchers by enhancing habitat value. This guide is intended to provide fundamental info
Evolution and origin of the Central Grassland of North America: climate, fire, and mammalian grazers1 . In this review, I summarize the results of more than fifty years of research studies of grassland ecosystems with a focus on the Central Grassland of North America. While these studies were conducted in a highly fragmented landscape,
A Grassland Food Chain A food chain tells who eats what. It shows how living things need each other. Let’s find out what’s for dinner in the grassland! In one grassland food chain, big bluestem grass comes first. A prairie dog chomps on this plant. But the little animal is also food. Soon, a black-footed ferret eats it up.
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Grassland restoration, creation and improvement techniques: soil preparation, seeding, establishment methods, post establishment maintenance; health and safety; conflicts in management aims (nature conservation, recreation, agriculture, identification, resolution) 4 Be able to carry out practical grassland habitat management
Introduction Native grasslands once covered vast expanses of North America, providing habitat that supported more than 800 native species of plants and animals. Native warm-season grasses were the dominant component of these prairie grassland ecosystems. Native warm-
Each grassland-nesting bird species has a unique set of habitat requirements. Table 1 illustrates some of the habitat preferences of many grassland-nesting bird species. While there are similarities among many species habitat requirements, habitat management to meet the specific needs of one species may or may not benefit other species.
203 Keim Hall / P.O. Box 830953 / Lincoln, NE 68583 -0953 402 -472 -4101 / FAX 402-472 -4104 / E-mail: grassland@unl.edu / www.grassland.unl.edu The Nine management strategies compatible with grassland conse
