Big sagebrush was controlled by rotobeating and spraying on both fair— and poor—condition ranges. A randomized block design was used with two replications of each treatment (untreated, sprayed, and rotobeaten). Data were taken from 10 permanent sampling units within each treatment plot. Numbers and crown cover of big sagebrush on treated range in fair condition changed little in 8 years after treatment. However, on poor—condition ranges sagebrush rapidly reoccupied mechanically treated areas. Some sagebrush increase occurred on sprayed poor—condition ranges, but brush numbers are strikingly lower than on rotobeaten plots. Herbage yields corrected to median—year precipitation varied considerably on untreated and treated plots, but herbage production was at least doubled, mostly from increaser—type species, on both sprayed and mechanically treated fair—condition range. On poor—condition ranges, herbage response was primarily from annuals with a marked trend toward an increasing amount of cheatgrass on treated plots. Soil moisture contents are generally greater on treated plots until the deep—rooted herbage species increase considerably. Soil temperatures are consistently lower on poor—condition, rotobeaten plots, and this difference is attributed to the insulating effect of the persistent woody residue on the soil surface.
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HighlightSteers grazing on pinegrass-browse forage in the mixed coniferous forest make good use of these areas in late spring and early summer. Weight gains average about one pound per day for animals wintered at intermediate levels (gaining about one and one quarter pound per day). Cows on the same area in the fall brought the total stocking rate to about three acres per AUM. The best animal performance appears to coincide with maximum vegetative development, but early grazing is essential to fully utilize pinegrass and legumes. Browse is of primary value in the fall for cows from which calves have been weaned.
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