Steer Grazing on Mixed Coniferous Forest Ranges in Northeastern Oregon

Abstract

JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and build upon a wide range of content in a trusted digital archive. We use information technology and tools to increase productivity and facilitate new forms of scholarship. For more information about JSTOR, please contact support@jstor.org.. Allen Press and Society for Range Management are collaborating with JSTOR to digitize, preserve and extend access to Journal of Range Management. 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.

Livestock Grazing Influences on Community Structure, Fire Intensity, and Fire Frequency within the Douglas-Fir/Ninebark Habitat Type

“…In the Douglas-fir/ snowberry habitat type, understory production decreased as tree canopy cover increased (Froeming 1974). An inverse relationship between overstory canopy or basal area and the density or production of shrubby and herbaceous understories had been reported by researchers working under a wide variety of conditions (Arnold 1950, Tisdale 1950, Pase 1958, Cooper 1960, McConnell and Smith 1965, Hedrick et al 1968). Also, as stocking levels increased, livestock movement became more difficult.…”

Effects of tree cutting and fire on understory vegetation in mixed conifer forests

“…In Idaho Abies grandis (grand fir)-P. menziesii forest, understory biomass exceeded 1000 kg ha À1 only up to 40% tree canopy cover (Pyke and Zamora, 1982). Similarly, Hedrick et al (1968) found that understory production was lowered by over half when tree canopy cover exceeded 40% in the Blue Mountains of Oregon. A doubling of tree basal area from 11.5 m 2 ha À1 to 23 m 2 ha À1 also approximately halved understory biomass in the White Mountains of Arizona (Thill et al, 1983).…”

Silviculture of mixed conifer forests in eastern Oregon and Washington.

“…Partial cut stands are preferred least by deer and elk because they lack the volume and variety of forage in clearcuts and the cover of the uncut stands (Edgerton 1972). Recommendations for improving livestock utilization of mixed conifer forests are given by Hedrick et al (1968).…”