I EFFECTS OF SUMMER
CATTLE GRAZING ON.
BIG GAME WINTER

I RANGE IN
NORTHERN UTAH

Thesis for the Degree of M. S.
MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
DEAN D . DOELL
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Acknowledgements

I am grateful to the late Mr. Harold S. Crane, Director, and
Mr. John E. Phelps, Acting Director, of the Utah State Department
of Fish and Game for the encouragement and many favors to pursue this
research.

My deepest gratitude is extended to Dr. L. W. Gysel, Associate
Professor of Wildlife Management, Michigan State University, for
reviewing and editing the manuscript. Also, I express appreciation to
Dr. P. I. Tack, Head, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan
State University: and Dr. G. A. Petrides, Professor of Wildlife Manage-
ment, Michigan State University, for guiding my program of study there.

I am especially grateful to Dr. A. D. Smith, Professor, Range
Management Department, Utah State University and Game Biologist for
the Utah State Department of Fish and Game, for planning, designing
and guidance of the study and for critical review of the manuscript.
Dr. P. J. Urness, formerly Game Biologist with the Utah State Department
of Fish and Game, collected field data during the summers of 1961 and
1962. The author collected the field data during the summers of 1963

and 1961+. This study was conducted under Federal Aid Project W—lOS—R.

ii

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DI TRODUC TION O O C O O O O O C O 0 0
DESCRIPTION OF STUDY AREA . . . . . . . .

METHODS AND PROCEDURES . . . . . . . . .

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Vegetation Composition .

Plant Growth and Deve10pment

Plant Moisture .

Utilization of Forage

Early grazing period

Mid-grazing period.

Late grazing period

Periodic use of major Species .

Effects of cattle grazing upon.bitterbrush plants

Management implications

SUMMARY .

LITERATURE CITED.

APPENDIX I

iii

10
10
21
22
29
29
32
35
37
#5
U6

5

53

LIST OF TABLES

Table

1.

2.

3.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

Percent plant cover within each experimental pasture at the
Hardware Ranch for 19610 e o o o e e o o 0

Percent plant cover within each experimental pasture at the
Hardware RaDCh for 1962. o o e o o o o o 0

Percent plant cover within each experimental pasture at the
Hardware RanCh for 1963. o o e o o o o o 0

Percent plant cover within each experimental pasture at the
Hardware RanCh for 196“. o o o o o o o o o

Phenological development of beardless wheatgrass, arrowleaf
balsamroot, geranium and bitterbrush during the years, 1961-
l96h from the experimental pastures at the Hardware Ranch .

Percent moisture content of plant samples obtained from the
experimental pastures during the grazing season of 1961 at
the Hardware RanCh e o o o o o o e o o 0

Percent moisture content of plant samples obtained from the
experimental pastures during the grazing season of 1962 at
the Hardware Ranch 0 o o e o e o o o o 0

Percent moisture content of plant samples obtained from the
experimental pastures during the grazing season of 1963 at
the Hardware RanCh o o o e e o o o o o 0

Percent moisture content of plant samples obtained from the
experimental pastures during the grazing season of 196u at
the Hardware Ranch 0 e o e o o o o e e 0

Percent utilization of major grasses, forbs, and bitter-
brush obtained from the experimental pastures at the
Hardware Ranch during the early grazing period for the
years, 1961-196“ 0 e o o o o o o e o 0

Percent utilization of important grasses, forbs, and
bitterbrush obtained from the experimental pastures at the
Hardware Ranch during the mid-grazing period, 1961-196”.

Percent utilization of important grasses, forbs, and
bitterbrush obtained from the experimental pastures at the
Hardware Ranch during the late grazing period for the
years, 1961-196n o o o e o e e o o o 0

iv

Page

11

15

l7

19

24

25

26

27

28

31

33

36

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure

l.

2.

3.

5.

7.

8.

9.

Typical aspect of big game winter range on the Hardware
RanCh in northern Utah. 0 o e o e e o o 0

Map of Hardware Ranch showing location of the experimental
paSturBS o c o o o c e o o o o o 0

Cumulative temperatures above threshold of 45° F and
precipitation for May and June for the Hardware Ranch for
the yearS, 1961-196“ 0 c o o o e e c o 0

Mean percent moisture content of beardless wheatgrass,
arrowleaf balsamroot, geranium and bitterbrush obtained
from.the experimental pastures at the Hardware Ranch
during the grazing seasons of 1961-196” . . . . .

Cumulative utilization of beardless wheatgrass, arrowleaf
balsamroot and bitterbrush obtained from the experimental
pastures for moderate cattle use during the early grazing
period at the Hardware Ranch for l96l-l96fl. . . . .

Cumulative utilization of beardless wheatgrass, arrowleaf
balsamroot and bitterbrush obtained from the experimental
pastures for heavy cattle use during the early grazing
period at the Hardware Ranch for l96l-l96h. . . . .

Cumulative utilization of beardless wheatgrass, geranium
and bitterbrush obtained from the experimental pastures
for moderate cattle use during the mid-grazing period at
the Hardware Ranch for 1961-196“ 0 e o o o o 0

Cumulative utilization of beardless wheatgrass, geranium
and bitterbrush obtained from.the experimental pastures
for heavy cattle use during the mid-grazing period at the
Hardware Ranch for 1961-196“ 0 o e o o e o 0

Cumulative utilization of beardless wheatgrass, geranium
and bitterbrush obtained from.the experimental pastures
fer moderate cattle use during the late grazing period

at the Hardware Ranch for 1961-1964 . . . . . .

Page

23

30

39

#0

#1

b2

Figure Page

10.

11.

Cumulative utilization of beardless wheatgrass, geranium

and bitterbrush obtained from the experimental pastures

for heavy cattle use during the late grazing period at the
Hardware Ranch for 1961-1964. c o o o o o o “'3

Mean utilization of the grasses, forbs, and bitterbrush
obtained from the experimental pastures fOr moderate and
heavy cattle use during the three grazing periods at the
Hardware Ranch for 1961-196”. . . . . . . . “a

vi

T -m: 0:"? ,3:<:::C;:0

i-» .—..v\l

-LX-

l o - ' a ‘ u n w a I ‘1
DoneSIie liVCStoe; and ”1“ sane aniw LS oint i use mucq o: etan‘s
.L. _ ‘F I j I I

1 ' -.. _ 3‘ _, ,_ . _, . _ __ H77 1 _._1 I w . 4 n _
013 game winter ran e. in pfe east, tnose ORTES 0L tee winter range

oozhills have been Lsec “e"v-lv n" both livestock and

bis sane animals. These Sootnill rar'es are ”razed durins the serin“,

‘ 1 J‘J. 0‘ o . u-‘ -‘.-“ -" a -v -. '1‘ 1— ' Y ‘1’“ 'r f" ’ '1
and olten rain in tie lall a: livestocn, alte: na101 tier are utilized

1 w- 1 a. w 1 w . u 4-: . 4- I, .1 ' .n -_ - r I" N 3
OJ 0“" game anina!s during one niziter. altnough some private ra-ges oi

this t~re are brazed.by livesto kn during the suruler, most foothill
ranges in northern ctan lie interne
surr er livestock use. These so—call ed spring -fall livestock ranges
are t‘r us the weal: link in the :‘1azase3rt for big c are animus ..sl in con-
junction ti
Several State and Federal asencies own and manage the major part
of these winter ra res HUt.h. The Jtr
Game owns approximately 116,500 acres and leases 60,Ll? acres oi Loot-

.' . a . ' 7:- i __ “,i x _ " -f‘. 7 . ."
hill reafes iron the Used Std? nine Joard as well as tron two “eneral

, - ' ' J- _ _- J-.,_ ‘ ... .° ,. r. .. ~ , ,7, . J.
87820185. nose 0- tne Tenartgcnt's Dl‘ “axe winter ran as have not

1 _ fl Q vv- .1 -v‘ — I . :. D 3‘ - a r“ -L‘ +‘I

seen grazed a; lVCStoch Since QCCHHSlthR; cowchr, s nee c1" eonnlet 70h
5' wan n («4- 1r ~* .13qu a r“: 7‘ T"1Y"I‘ ‘4 74'“ F‘ r‘ ”w’" ‘ ' " 1 '1 '1 " .1

0.1. b . 3 o L. Li C - L) 1C- “l CG}. _. Lpfl 63:) .‘-:x.‘f€‘ “3881“. 0].: .CC’O on m. Ct.Lt.-€3

grazing program.

bUdieS show that when these winter ranges are ,ra.zed by big game
animals lore, or use plants reerea.e aid grasses and $0103 increas
(Ratcliff lghl, Smith 1343, ;vsel 1960). Conversely, shru: ceiponents

.‘ ‘ A .' 1" "J-— ~ A‘, w. .1— I-1 - n r . 1 --..--I ~
are increased a CfiubLe use alone. Usv: uSlf tnen, £87UICBBQ common

fl J. n ‘ ~ . 0 v3 . - 3 x- f‘ . ’L . “N' '1‘ -‘ . ‘
use 07 cattle ane 61¢ r: e animals Siould lenbaln a v4.ota lOLel

'v '5 .9 .._ . J' ~ -—" ' 'h 4‘
only will ”uriisn ioraas lor llUcScOC
I a I ‘

suooort u 01g same card.

1 1 - .n... L
1:8.llf.’ 01:? (6.1-8 ’11". U31"

8 Us“) "‘

A s. i
iJRUO”lIWlt biff {
alone 7‘ .

anc min per browse,

for deer. 3i" ”4 -"h, in mixtures
-n n orei erred brorm is rea‘ily eaten by his guns a:
.'_.L. . - '.,,. - -t- *
setter 610111; 0 ice“

for a

C.

_ s¢ (Smith 1‘50, Dietz a
Bit erorus h (Pursnia

. vv-
5" : \. an
C-LAC‘. .g‘J“

3. C C 0112". 'L} b‘

tridentata) is an associate Ni ‘ rile—
brush on many 313‘s u51- ms type t in? er ran-
brush is considered a V r

.‘s

brows

o a o J. a q ‘ J‘s
“ e sneCies where it is asundant oh LLGSO
ranfies, because it is Lishl" palatable and

~- ~-
ano Lea"

and preferrefi (”~'
,er lGKO) :

, T"me animals.

b grasinj studies mith domestic and big game anim9_ls the
”05+l37 enpla.s iz;d the effects of outrfrr in“ '
;ne" have _ ’ '

A or pra mr nce as a factor
vefetitional cl.anres, nor prover

_ icried or
iais V J 0 do ”‘

803803;"; 01 USO.
‘ \ 1"".(3 L’.‘Vr f'! 0 L‘qfi C! J- (:7? 'P y| . l
o .'.;_., O‘_.{|4CL;_..\€U OJ. mu“) Sula.“ IJCLOO to
V‘ J— W“... Y‘ "\ J“fl 1]— .. 1'1".“ J__" .1 _:‘ .L" _I ‘11, TI‘.‘ QW‘L ”“15 0 '30 _r'| O r‘ 1 1,. :. _'_-:— 3-“
QC be..-“ Lub the L.‘ .L .L./J~..'- ‘4401. OJ. U.-e .L- (30.. UL.-. IJ L_,"‘ (.LQ bu), .LOI‘OS, ‘ n It)._ a u .L ‘-
‘ 1"”: “7" ‘ 7-“ r‘. "a!“ "on t 7 a“; 10 '7 r, :1 11" .'
OF «v-1 «$10.0- ». lilol Lilo 3‘4J-J-O(.LU Una _....L;CI

- .._.’ .c -- “3.1.
5i ies of 3. c~
thine tne 0 "rec to w“

a: CO
‘1 v 1" ‘ 13-: 1:. r-y ‘ -.1-.‘-Lr'\-(\- «a r”. “P ‘ fir”;
.'.tu.._e l‘.’CL..'_C LL'..L. .LuC Queue-1‘31 L153. iOfauo
‘1 '1 '1‘ . a 1 mt ~. fl '1 w ’1‘\'l““v" no “a “h 4-1" 1h '9 ‘p'fi r'po ’?
”l. bliC 9,58%.00 01. all M, "r wuklv O... L.;,Ipc.CCOlto .LO
'1 '1'! _l_ ft
bfle CLICCU O

-.gc, J) to cctcruir
,le on Ve~etun01¢l co

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19081 1011; RIC. (-r/ CO I‘CLCt
,0 pp _' '1 R“; ”A .‘TrDYTI “hf" 1"1'\‘:r‘"‘1]11r\, . “‘1. "in i-
-()Q 0;. QJ.-'.LJL¢ CC\. 51.03 '._..v cull L_I\J—L Lat-.10 COLLL’D
"41.3"” ° 7’ .hj-F l
U—n—J-pA—ch-UlOAL. ‘ A...

-t so speCies
- - ‘ — - - . -- c -1- ‘ n n w 1 .~ -0 q ,’ ’ 1 (N ‘
o stuef - - ted dtLLIV’ ole sun e1 0; lJLL inc
J‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ -. -l‘ ‘ V. I. -\ I '.
cermlna ; 0— .

DESCRIPTION OF STUDY.AREA

The investigation was conducted at the Hardware Ranch, Blacksmith
Fork Canyon, Cache County, Utah, a property of approximately 14,000
acres. The initial base property was purchased by the Utah State
Department of Fish and.Game in l9h6. This area is the primary winter
range for elk (Eggzgs canadensis nelsoni) in northern Utah. Each winter
hay is fed to approximately 300 head of elk that winter on the "Ranch".
Mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus hemionus) also frequent the Ranch. '
'Winter deer use, as determined by pellet group counts, has varied from
17 to #5 deerbdays-useqper-acre during the past five years. Both
species of animals winter on this area fer approximately seven months,
from October through.April. However, no livestOCk grazing has been
permitted since the area was purchased.

The vegetation on the study site is a sagebrush-grass type, which
is representative of the foothill winter ranges of northern Utah (Fig. 1).
The most prominent plant species is big sagebrush, but other shrubby
plants are present. These species, together with prominent herbaceous
species, indicate that the area is marginal.between the sagebrush
association of Shantz (1925) and the mountain brush association of
Stoddart and Smith (1955).

Temperature extremes at a weather station located at the Ranch
headquarters ranged from 1000 F to -360 F with a mean annual air
temperatures of 38 to #20 F for the duration of the study (U. 8.

‘Weather Bureau 1961-1964).

 

Fig. 1. Typical aSpect of big game winter range on the Hardware
Ranch in northern Utah.

5

Average summer temperatures were 60 to 62° F for the years of study.
The frost-free period is 90 to 130 days, but the growing period may be
shortened by drought (Shantz 192 5). The annual precipitation varied
from 18 to 26 inches and was well distributed throughout the year --
a large proportion of it being winter snow. The study area near the
center of the ranch prOperty slepes to the south and southeast and
varies in elevation from approximately 5800 feet to 6300 feet.

Soils of this area were typed by the Soi1.Conservation Service
as belonging to the Ant Flat and.Yeates Hollow series, which were
derived from.quartzite and quartzite-calcareous sandstone parent
material respectively. These soils range in texture from a loam to an
extra stony, silty clay loam that are deep, well drained, and have slow
permeability and medium runoff'(Mr. V. Mortensen, 1965, unpublished,

Soil survey of’Cache 00., Utah, Soil.Conservation Service, Logan, Utah).

METHODS AND PROCEDURES

Six:pastures, each approximately five acres in size, were constructed
in 1961. Pastures A and B, C and D, and E and F were designated as
paired pastures (Fig. 2). One pasture of each pair was assigned moderate
cattle grazing pressure. The second pasture was assigned to heavy cattle
grazing. The pressure in each pasture was based on the utilization of a
particular key or indicator plant species - beardless wheatgrass
(Agzgpzzgg,iggzm§). Moderate grazing was arbitrarily set at 40 percent
and heavy grazing at 60 percent utilization of this key species. Graz-
ing pressures were randomly assigned to the various pastures. Pastures
A, C, and E received moderate grazing pressure, while pastures B, D,
and F were heavily grazed. The grazing intensity remained unchanged

throughout the study for all of the pastures.

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Fig. 2.
pastures.

2"=1Mile

Map of Hardware Ranch showing location of the experimental

7
The summer grazing season was divided into three grazing periods --
early summer, mid-summer, and late summer. The early grazing period
extended from late May or early June to late June or early July. depend-
ing on the time of the snow melt. The mid-grazing period extended from
early July to early'August. The late grazing period extended from early
August to early September. One pair of'pastures was used during each
grazing period. Pastures A and.B were grazed during the early grazing
period in 1961 and 1964 and during the late grazing period in 1962 and
1963. Pastures C and D were grazed all four years during the mid-
summer period. Pastures E and F were grazed during the late summer
period in 1961 and 1964. and during the early grazing period in 1962
and 1963. Undependable livestock water supplies prevented assignment
of all pastures to a11.periods of use. .Availability of water was the
reason fer pastures E and F to be separated from the other pastures.
Utilization of important grasses and forbs was determined by the
Pechanec and Pickford (1937) ocular estimateebyeplot method on 25
permanent 96 square foot, circular plots in each pasture. These plots
were randomly selected within each pasture. This utilization method
involves an estimate of the percentage of‘herbage by species removed
by weight. Preliminary clipping and weighing of important forage species
was done to develop accuracy in estimating. Utilization of bitterbrush
was determined by ocular estimates made from 20 tagged bitterbrush
plants within each pasture. These bitterbrush plants were selected
Optically as being representative of the general condition of the plants
in the immediate area. Utilization data were collected every seven to

ten days during the grazing periods. 'When utilization on.beardless

8
wheatgrass approached the assigned level of use for that particular
pasture, more frequent utilization estimates were made so that
utilization did not exceed the assigned levels.

Tota1.plant cover data were collected in each pasture so that
comparisons between.pastures might be more representative. The first
year a 75 fOOt tape was stretched over representative vegetation at
feur locations within each pasture. ‘A square foot frame was placed
at three foot intervals along this tape and the percentage cover, when
viewed from directly above, was estimated fer each Species. One
hundred plots per pasture were observed. The percent of cover of
each Species fer each pasture was then determined for 1961. But.
during the last three years of the study, a method.proposed‘by Daubenmire
(1959) was used to determine cover. This method consisted of a 75 foot
tape stretched over representative vegetation at three locations within
each pasture. .A frame of 20 cm. x.50 cm. was positioned along one side
of the tape and the percent cover'by class was estimated fer each species
within the frame. These classes were: class 1 = 0-5 percent; class 2 =
5-25 percent; class 3 = 25-50 percent; class a = 50-75 Percent; class 5 =
75-95 percent; and class 6 = 95-100 percent. The midpoint of each class
was the value used in data tabulations. One hundred and twenty frame
records were made in each pasture prior to grazing.

Phenological data involving plant growth and flower and fruit
development of the more important grasses, forb, and.browse Species were
recorded at seven to ten day intervals throughout the grazing periods
in each pasture.

Cumulative temperatures and moisture data were used to help explain

the relationship of the advancement of plant growth and the development

9
of the important forage species during the early growing season. A
threshold value of #59 F was assumed and. beginning on.May 1, the amounts
by which the daily maximum temperatures exceeded #50 F were accumulated
through June 30 for each year of study; Precipitation was accumulated
for the same period for each year of study.

Moisture content of the important grasses. forbs, and bitterbrush
was determined by oven-drying plant samples taken concurrently with
phenological observations. These data were used to correlate cattle
utilization changes on the range forage. Moisture content data from a
previous study of bitterbrush were combined with moisture content data
collected during the last year of this study to obtain an average
moisture content for this species.

The grazing animals were predominantly yearling and two-year old
steers and.heifers. Six to eight animals were used each year -- half
of them in each pasture. When the moderately grazed pasture was
utilized to the desired level, the animals from that pasture were

shifted to the paired pasture to achieve heavy utilization.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Vegetation Composition

The sagebrush-grass type may be highly variable in vegetation comp
position depending on site and past use (Pickford 1932). According to
Pickford (1932). the total plant cover of a climax sagebrush-grass
foothill range of northern Utah consisted of approximately 68 percent
perennial grasses, 11 percent big sagebrush, and 21 percent perennial
forbs and shrubs other than sagebrush. The cover and composition data
collected in 1961 (Table 1) prior to cattle grazing suggest that the
area approached the climax condition. Pickford (1932) reported that
heavy livestock grazing changed the tota1.plant cover to a disclimax,
which consisted of 26 percent perennial grasses and 24 percent big
sagebrush (which became the dominant plant Species. Cheatgrass
(grgmug tectorgm) and poor perennial forbs constituted 36 percent,
and preferred forbs and bitterbrush constituted 1h percent of the
total plant cover. He further reported that bitterbrush and preferred
forbs increased in abundance with grazing,‘but the gains were of minor
importance in the composition of the total cover.

Big sagebrush has the widest distribution -- latitudinally,
longitudinally, and altitudinally - of any sagebrush species in the
western states. It grows on a great variety of sites from alkaline to
non-alkaline soils, but avoids shallow soils (Beetle 1960). Little is
known of interspecific relationships in the sagebrush-grass type.
Several investigators have made observations on sagebrush-grass

interactions and bitterbruSh-grass interactions; but these Observations

10

ll

 

 

 

 

Table 1. Percent plant cover within each experimental pasture at the
Hardware Ranch for 1961.
Pastures
Species A ,_Br' 0 D E F Ave.
Grasses
Beardless wheatgrass 1.66 10.57 8.30 9.50 11.90 13.23 9.19
Bearded wheatgrass 1.02 6.35 -- 0.10 - -- 1.31
Wheatgrass 2.90 -- 109 32 1. 65 6o 30 1h. 60 5.96
Cheatgrass 6.91 0.17 0.25 0.15 9.27 0.h8 2.87
Carex 0.69 2.61 2.51 2.12 -- -- 1.32
Great Basin wild-rye 5.21 1.26 2.35 1.85 - 1.95 2.10
Bluebunch fescue 0.25 1.65 0.27 0.h5 - -- 0.hh
Junegrass 0.50 0.27 0010 0.30 1.05 1018 0057
Oniongrass -- -- - 0.90 0.35 - 0.21
Kentucky bluegrass 6.63 11.15 8.00 12.70 - 0.55 6.51
Sandberg bluegrass 2.19 7.5“ 2.37 1.05 11.h0 11.17 5.95
Squirreltail 0.15 -- 0.27 2.05 0.30 - 0.h6
Columbia needlegrass 0.15 0.45 1.77 0.90 -- -- 0.55
Letterman needlegrass 0.77 0.69 2.00 2.07 - -- 0.93
Coverz 29.98 (+2.71 38.55 35.79 “0.57 “3016 38.37
Composition3 u7.20 no.30 u3.u0 39.90 68.70 73.00 51.00
Forbs
YarrOW' 0.33 0.75 1.02 0.69 0.75 0.36 0.65
Horsemint -- 0.35 -- - - - 0.06
ASter -- -- -- - 0090 2023 0.52
Arrowleaf balsamroot 0.89 b.50 - - 2.70 0.25 1.39
111151313 0.31 0.52 0.07 0.55 0.10 -- 0026
Buckwheat - -- -- 1.u4, 0.25 0.10 0.30
Geranium 0.80 3.00 6.60 9.1h -- -- 3.26
Little sunflower -- - - 0.20 -- -- 0.03
Lupine 0.03 -- 0.20 0.58 'M- .. 0011+
Cinquefoil 0.10 0.10 0.05 1.75 -- -- 0.33
Dandelion -- -- -- 0.10 -- -- 0.02
Salsify 0.01 -— 0.24 0.05 -- .. 0.05
Mule ears - 2.67 b.26 5.80 0.10 - 2.1h
Cove 2.“? 11.89 12.148 20.30 “.80 209“ 9015
Composition3 n.00 12.90 10.10 22.70 8.10 5.00 12.20

 

 

Table 1. (Continued)
Pastures
Species A _B_ C D _§fg F Ave.
Shrubs
Serviceberry 0.90 0.70 0.07 0.65 -- - 0.38
‘Wbrmwood 0.29 0.50 1.00 0.7“ -- 0.47 0.50
Big sagebrush 23.00 20.34 22.12 17.90 5.00 “.09 15.32
Rabbitbrush 1.94 2.92 -- 2.99 4.90 3.99 2.5“
Oregon grape 0.10 0.66 -- 0.1h -- -- 0.15
BittererSh 3009 7071 11.90 6015 [+030 “0&5 6.1.8
Wild rose -- 00% 0.05 0037 -- '3- 0015
Snowberry 1.07 n.82 3.05 5.55 -- .. 2.u2
Cover 30039 37061 37069 330,49 13070 12.95 27.6“
Composition3 h8.80 no.80 uz.50 37.40 23.20 21.90 36.80
Total Cover 62.29 92.21 88.72 89.58 59.07 59.05 75.16

 

1Data are mean percentages flar 100 one-square foot plots in each pasture.
2The preportion of the ground surface under live aerial parts of plants.

3The relative preportions of various plant Species in the total plant
cover fer each pasture.

13

have come from widely separated geographic areas, which have undoubtedly
influenced the findings. Robertson (1947), Pechanec et al. (195“) and
Beetle (1960) reported that big sagebrush is an aggressive species, is
drought resistant, and increases under heavy livestock grazing.

COOper (1953) reported that if sagebrush-grass ranges in Wyoming
are grazed conservatively by livestock, grass forage increases and the
density of big sagebruSh decreases. This area was marginal for sagebrush.
which may explain the ease with which grass can compete. Big sagebruSh
reacts sharply to heavy use in Utah (Cook and Stoddart 1959). It can
be eliminated by heavy game animal browsing in the winter (Smith 1918).
Beetle (1960) stated that survival of big sagebrush seedlings or grass
seedlings is directly related to the amount of litter present. That is.
more litter favors grass seedlings; while less litter favors big sagebrush
seedlings.

Bitterbrush is a pioneer species on some sites in California.
Once established on a site, it helps succession by shielding the soil and
other plants: ultimately giving other plant species a chance to take over
the site after decades or even centuries (Nord 1965). Hormay (l9h3)
found that cheatgrass retarded natural bitterbrush establishment in
California. Holmgren (1956) also found that Cheatgrass competes with
bitterbrush seedlings on rehabilitated.big game winter range in Idaho.
He further reported that bitterbrush seedlings can compete better with
broad-leaved, summer-annual forbs than with cheatgrass. Smith and Urness
(1961) showed that removal of herbaceous vegetation by clipping from
around bitterbrush plants increased bitterbrush plant vigor and forage
production significantly in Utah. Hubbard and Sanderson (1961) reported

similar findings in California. This study was not continued long

14

enough to provide conclusive evidence on the competitive relations.

The percent vegetational cover by species and vegetation groups
for the different pastures for the four years of this study are presented
in Tables 1, 2, 3 and h. The cover and composition data of these
pastures showed that the important grasses decreased in Species cover
and composition in all pastures with cattle grazing; whereas, the forb
cover increased in.pastures A and F, but decreased in the other pastures.
while Shrub cover decreased in pastures A, B. C and D, but increased in
pastures E and F from 1961 through the summer of l96h.

The change in vegetation cover and composition for the pastures was
not solely a result of cattle use. Both biotic and physical factors
were involved. The Open, cold winter of 1962-63 reduced the cover of
snowberry (Symphoricagpos oreophilus); insect damage reduced the cover
of big sagebrush in the fall of 1963; and rodents reduced.bitterbrush
and.big sagebrush cover during the winter of l963-6h. Moreover, the
different periods of time that the vegetation cover data were collected
for the pastures also contributed to differences in vegetation composition.
The total vegetation cover was reduced in all the pastures throughout
the study.

The direct influences of cattle utilization and trampling upon the
vegetation were not separated in this study, although trampling by
cattle must have had some reducing effect upon the total vegetation
cover (Reynolds and Packer 1963). Grazing and trampling effects are
usually confounded although trampling has been shown to reduce vegetation
cover.

Big sagebruSh was the dominant shrub Species on the study site.

Bitterbrush, the most important browse forage plant, was next in

15

 

 

 

 

Table 2. Percent plant cover within each experimental pasture at the
Hardware Ranch for 1962.1
Pastures
Species A B C D <__§ F Ave._
Grasses
Beardless wheatgrass 11.67 5.44 14.08 11.96 9.73 9.33 10.37
Bearded wheatgrass -- -- -- -- 0.77 -- 0.13
'Western wheatgrass 5.35 1.02 3.35 1.67 9.79 3.88 4.18
Cheatgrass 2.10 -- -- 0.25 4.72 -- 1.18
Carex 0.42 3000 10 56 1006 0063 00 52 1020
Great Basin wild-rye 2.15 2.46 0.79 - -- 0.58 0.99
Bluebunch fescue -- 0.15 - -- -- - 0.03
Junegrass 0.33 0.25 0.27 0.02 -- 0.63 0.25
Oniongrass - -- -- 0.02 - - 0.00
Kentucky bluegrass 3.48 8.77 4.02 5.46 0.50 0.77 3.83
Sandberg bluegrass 0.92 1.17 1.31 1.13 11.40 23.06 6.50
Squirreltail 2021 2.5“ 0090 0038 -- I"- 1001
Columbia needlegrass 1.56 0.02 - 0.46 -- -- 0.34
Letterman needlegrass 1.13 1.06 0.81 1.65 -- -- 0.78
Cover2 31.32 25.88 27.09 24.06 37.54 38.77 30.79
Composition3 35.80 31.00 33.00 25.80 51.90 56.50 37.90
Forbs
Yarrow 2038 10141“ 1056 1000 1029 3019 1081
ASter 3010 2035 2015 2025 1088 3073 20%
Arrowleaf balsamroot 0.56 0.42 -- - 1.29 0.31 0.43
11115th “'0 50 10 19 -- .- 0 0 29 0015 10 02
BUCkWheat 0050 0002 2081 5000 0088 005“ 10 63
Geranium 1088 [+050 “015 801K) -- .- 3016
Little sunflower -- .- 0 0 27 0 077 "I' - 0 0 17
Lupine 0013 0083 00142 1006 00% 101K) 0072
Cinquefoil - - 0.38 0.69 -- - 0.18
Salsify 0056 0031 -- 0025 -- G'- 0019
Violet - -- - -- 1.35 1.67 0.50
Mule ears -- -- 8.33 1.31 - -- 1.61
Cover2 13.61 11.06 20.07 20.73 7.44 10.99 14.00
Composition3 15.60 13.30 24.40 22.30 10.30 16.00 17.20

16

 

 

Table 2. (Continued)
Pastures
Species A B C ¥§L_ E F Ave.
Shrubs
Serviceberry 2.48 0.75 0.31 0.92 -- -- 0.74
WOI'MWOOd 0096 0090 1050 -- 0051‘" -- 0065
Big sagebmSh 19052 15056 16092 1.7038 8050 7067 1u026
Oregon grape 0.44' 0.19 -- 0.46 -- - 0.18
Bitterbrush 8.71 13.23 14.60 16.58 10.00 6.10 11.54
‘Wild rose - 0.02 -- 0.40 -- - 0.07
Snowberry 7.46 8.85 1.42 7.96 -- -- 4.28
Cove 42.55 46.50 35.00 48.30 27.31 18.90 36.43
Composition3 48.60 55.70 42.60 51.90 37.80 27.50 44.90
T0133]. Cover 870% 830% 82016 93009 72029 68066 81022

 

1Data are mean percentages for 120 20cm. x 50cm. plots (40 from.each of

three transects) in each pasture.

2The proportion of the ground surface under live aerial parts of plants.

3

The relative preportions of various plant Species in the total plant
cover fOr each pasture.

17

 

 

 

 

Table 3. Percent plant cover within each experimental pasture at the
Hardware Ranch for 19631.
Pastures2
Species A B C _323 F Ave.
Gzasses
Beardless wheatgrass 2.60 0.39 2.90 1.80 1.81 1.90
‘Western wheatgrass 0.04 -- - 0.04 1.93 0.40
Cheatgrass 0053 0076 000“ 0009 -- 0028
Carex -- 0059 0002 -- 000“ 0013
Great Basin wild-rye 0.61 0.33 0.17 0.02 -- 0.23
Junegrass -- -- 0.19 0.06 - 0.05
Kentucky bluegrass 0.59 2.70 - - 0.27 0.71
Sandberg bluegrass -- -- 1.50 1.50 7.40 2.08
Squirreltail 0.65 0.31 0.02 -- -- 0.20
Letterman needlegrass 0.40 0.28 0.08 0.48 -- 0.25
Cover 5.42 5036 “092 3099 11.45 6023
Composition“ 14.30 13.90 10.80 11.00 29.20 15.70
Forbs
YarrOW’ 1010 0080 0.46 0029 0090 0071
ASter 0027 00u9 0002 0021 1001 00u0
Arrowleaf balsamroot 0.04 0.13 -- -- 0.02 0.04
Thistle 0.25 0.13 -- -- - 0.08
BUCkWheat 0029 0002 1000 00““ 0002 0035
Geranium 0037 0060 2050 1090 -- 1007
Lupine 0006 0.49 0008 0025 0065 0031
Cinquefoil - 0.21 0.02 0.40 - 0.13
salSify 0013 0002 O. 000“ D. 000“
ViOlet -- -- -- - 0015 0003
Mule ears -- - 3.20 0.33 - 0.71
Cover3 2051 20 9 7028 3086 2075 3087
Composition“ 6.70 7.50 15.90 10.60 7.00 9.80

18

 

 

Table 3. (Continued)
Pastures2
Species A pg C D F Ave.
Shrubs
Serviceberry 2.20 0.33 0.02 0.42 -- 0.59
'Wbrmwood 0.27 0.43 0.13 -- -- 0.17
Big sagebrush 14.10 11.90 17.10 14.10 8.80 13.20
Oregon grape 0029 0006 0002 0009 '0'- 0009
Bitterbrush 6.70 11.40 15.70 9.50 8.70 10.40
‘Wild rose -- 0.02 -- 0.12 - 0.03
Snowberry 5020 “030 0030 30% ID- 2064
Cove 29086 3003“ 33057 280 56 25000 290“?
Composition” 79.00 78.60 73.30 78.40 63.80 70.50
Total Cover 37.79 38.59 45.77 36.41 39-20 39-57

 

1Data are mean.percentages for 120 20cm. x.50 cm. plots (40 from each of
three transects) in each pasture.

2Data for pasture E were lost.
3The proportion of the ground surface under live aerial parts of plants.

uThe relative proportions of various plant species in the total plant
cover fbr each pasture.

l9

 

 

Table h. Percent plant cover within each experimental pasture at the
Hardware Ranch for l96h.1
Pastures
Species A B C D E F Ave.
W
Beardless wheatgrass b.6l 0.90 3.69 2.67 2.90 0.96 2.62
‘Western wheatgrass 0.77 0.21 0.82 0.h8 1.67 l.h0 0.89
Cheatgrass 0.42 0.0“ 0.02 0.15 2.10 -- 0.45
Carex -- 0.33 -- 0.02 -- - 0.06
Great Basin wild-rye 0.65 0.36 0.29 -— 0.0h 0.02 0.23
Junegrass 0006 0.58 0004 -- 0029 00% 0021+
KentuCky'bluegrass 0.06 4.00 1.32 0.98 0.58 1.25 1.36
Sandberg bluegrass 0.54 -- 0.55 0.23 2.50 0.33 1.36
Squirreltail - -- 0.17 0.02 0.02 -- 0.04
Letterman needlegrass -- 0.15 0.08 0.17 - - 0.07
Cover 7011 6.57 6.98 ”.72 10.10 80% 7.32
Composition3 20.90 19.50 21.00 16.50 28.h0 31.10 22.90
Forbs
Yarrow 0085 1.19 0.58 0025 0.69 1033 0.82
ASter 0.’+0 0059 0.52 0.79 0096 1.02 0071
Arrowleaf balsamroot 0.15 - 0.04 - 0.88 0.04 0.18
Thistle 1.0% 0.15 - - 0.04 0.02 0.21
Buckwheat 1.15 -- 0.71 l.b8 0.15 0.21 0.62
Geranium. 1.56 0.96 2.71 2.38 -- “'- 1.26
Lupine 0002 0015 0.06 0.42 0.39 10% 00’42
CinquefOil 0025 .- 0027 0027 II- 0.04 0. 114’
Mule ears -- -- no 02 0. 59 .- -- 0077
Cover 5.42 300,-" 8.91 6.18 3.11 #012 5013
Composition3 16.00 9.00 27.00 21.50 8.70 15.10 16.10

20

Table 0. (Continued)

 

 

 

 

Pastures
Species A §;_7 C D E F Ave.
Shrubs
semcebem 1060 0.50 0.31 0.42 I'- -- Ooh?
WOWOd 0.67 1.13 0.75 0002 0. 3 .- 0014'5
Big sagebrush 12.62 11.00 7.73 7.94 6.02 6.56 8.72
RabbitbmSh 0.60 1.50 0001* 1.23 7013 “.02 2.52
Oregon grape 0.07 0.13 -- 0.08 0.06 -- 0.06
BitterbruSh 1.58 “.21 7.31 505,4 90 7 “0014' 5029
'Wild rose -— 0.02 -- 0.06 - - 0.01
Snowberry ’4'. 29 50 13 0 o 50 2. 50 .- - 20 07
Cover2 21.03 20.06 16.60 17.79 22.01 10.62 19.09
Composition3 63.10 71.50 51.20 62.00 62.90 53.80 61.00
Total Cover 33.96 33.67 32.53 28.69 35.62

27.18 31.90

 

1Data are mean percentages flor 120 20cm. x 50cm. plots (#0 from each of

three transects) in each pasture.
2The proportion of the ground surface under live aerial.parts of plants.

3The relative prOportions of various plant Species in the total plant
cover for each pasture.

21
abundance of the shrubs. Smaller percentages of serviceberry (Amelanchier
alnifolia), rabbitbrush (Chmothamnus viscidiflorus), snowberry, and
rose (Egg spp.) occurred in different pastures. They were only of
minor importance.

The important grasses consisted of beardless wheatgrass, western
wheatgrass (Agropggon smithii), Great Basin wild-rye (films cinereus),
Sandberg bluegrass (Egg secunda), and Kentucky bluegrass (g. pratensis)
(Tables 1, 2, 3 and 11). These same and similar grass species were
described by Pickford (1932) as being present on climax and disclimax
sagebrush-grass ranges of northern Utah.

The most important forbs within the pastures were arrowleaf
balsamroot (Balsamoghiza sagittata), geranium (Geranium fgemontii),
and mule ears (WEthia mlexicaulis). Pickford (1932) described the
same or similar species as being present upon climax and disclimax
sagebrush-grass feathill ranges.

Although some differences in the three vegetation groups between
the paired pastures were indicated by the cover and composition data
(Table l) for 1961, these differences were not great. The three
groups of vegetation were comparable in pastures A, B. C and D: but
grasses assumed a greater importance in pastures E and F (Table 1),
possibly due to the past history of heavy use of shrubs by concentrations

of elk.

Plant Growth and Development
Stoddart (19146) stated that spring vegetative growth begins
normally about April 1 on the foothill ranges in northern Utah and

that growth is very slow previous to May 1. He further reported that

22
summer heat and drought conditions generally are such as to prohibit
grass growth generally between June 15 and October 1 in this area.
Cumulative temperatures and.precipitation for the months of May and
June for the fOur years of study are presented in Fig. 3. Phenological
growth and development for the four important forage species selected
to represent the vegetation groups are shown in Table 5.

Some annual variations in the plant growth patterns of the four
important forage plants occurred during the study, although these
changes were not great. The cool, dry early growing season of 1961
apparently'had very little effect upon.plant growth and development
during that period. The early growing period of 1962 was warm and
dry until mid-May, then the weather cooled and was rather wet. Yet,
the development of the vegetation was similar to 1961. The early
growing season of 1963 was warm and dry, delaying the vegetation
development of‘beardless wheatgrass approximately'one week from that
observed in 1961 and 1962. The cold, wet weather during the early
growing season of 196“ delayed until mid-June the growth and develop-
ment of beardless wheatgrass, arrowleaf'balsmmroot, and bitterbrush
approximately ten days behind that observed in 1961 and 1962.

Thereafter the growth was similar to the other years.

Plant‘Moisture

The percent moisture contents of the important forage species
throughout the four grazing seasons of the study are presented in
Tables 6, 7, 8 and 9. The moisture contents of the important forage
species were lowest in 1961, but the moisture contents of the same

species for the other years were comparable to each other.

23

V
o\.

500

_ TEMPERATURE / ,:‘I
1961 — / 5";
450? 1962---- ' 3']
196300— f 3’
1954..-..- I. I

PRECIPITATION / .-°',
1951-.-... j, I
1962 -...._ .l, I,

350 - 1963—--°- /'.-’ I

1964—---— I I

U

400

300
2561

200

CUMULATIVE TEMPERATURE (° F)

150

100

 

50

 

Fig. 3. Cumulative temperatures above threshold of 05° F and
precipitation for May and June for the Hardware Ranch
for the years, 1961-1961+.

{o w :1 (a 6
CUMULATIVE PRECIPITATION (Inches)

A
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24

 

 

 

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Table 6. Percent moisture content of plant samples Obtained from the
experimental pastures during the grazing season of 1961 at the
Hardware Ranch.

 

Percent moisture

 

 

 

Species June 12 June 30 July 21 .Aug. 17 Sept. 1
9.12.8132:
Beardless wheatgrass 39.1 39.6 29.2 30.6 29.1
western wheatgrass 30.3 35.6 28.0 22.7 17.3
Great Basin wild-rye 51.3 07.0 53.1 38.2 01.8
Sandberg bluegrass 06.1 39.0 30.6 17.7 12.8
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Arrowleaf'balsamroot 60.0 50.9 01.7 7.7 8.3
Geranium 66.3 60.1 58.0 09.8 30.7
Mule ears 58.0 56.6 02.9 15.6 8.5

 

26

 

 

 

 

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6.66
6.66

6.66

m.m:
N.66
6.6N

6.6

6.66
6.66
6.6N

6.06

6.66
6.66
6.6N

6.6

6.66
6.66
6.66

Com:

6.66
N.N6
6.N6

6.N

6.66
6.66
6.6N

6.66

6.66
6.66
N.66

6.6

6.66
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6.66

6.66

6.66
6.66
6.66

6.6
6.66
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N.NN

m.m:

6.66
6.66
6.66

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6.66
6.66

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6.66

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6.66
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66666666666

 

003066

0600 0652
59600606
9006500609 600630664

096mm

000660669 66096006
066:6663 06006H90066
0006690093 0609003

0606690063 00066600m

 

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66 .654 6 .694

66 6666 6N 6666 66 6666 6N 6666 66 6666 66 0666

m0do0mm

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069 606606 00659006 609608660QH0 069 8066 60660990 0066600 96066.60 9:09:00 06990608 9900606 .6 06909

29

The mean percent moisture contents of four important forage plants
throughout the_four summer grazing seasons are shown in Fig. 4. The
moisture contents of the arrowleaf balsamroot and geranium were the
highest at the early growth stages, followed by beardless wheatgrass
and bitterbrush. However, the moisture content of arrowleaf balsamroot
rapidly declined. Geranium declined less rapidly and maintained
moisture contents above 35 percent through August. Beardless wheat-
grass exhibited a rapid decline in.moisture until late July, but
thereafter the moisture loss was slow. Bitterbrush changed little in
moisture content throughout the season, remaining between 35 and #5

percent.

Utilization of Forage

Utilization of range plants by grazing animals depends on several
factors: (1) the stage of plant development; (2) the amount of the
plant species; and (3) the palatability of other available forage.
Heady (196h) summarized the different factors contributing to palatability
as being very complex. Because these factors change throughout the
summer growing season, the results can best be presented by grazing

periodS.

Early Grazing Period
The utilization data for this period are presented in Table 10.

Cattle utilized the grass fbrage readily during this grazing period
under both grazing intensities. Great Basin wild-rye and.beardless
wheatgrass were the most preferred grasses under both intensities for
the four years of study. 'Mean utilization of beardless wheatgrass

under moderate and heavy use was #1 and 62 percent respectively.

30

 

      
    

 

 

 

F
80-
b Arrowleof
balsamroot
70- ___,
w eronium
a: 60 -
a _ Beohrdless
m
5 v‘v/x/eo gross
2 50-
r— ’ BitterbruSh
z \
:2" 40 P
E .
30-
20-
31 1O 20 1O 20 30 1O 20 3O 1O 20
May June July August September
DATE

Fig. h. Mean.percent moisture content of beardless wheatgrass,
arrowleaf balsamroot, geranium and bitterbrush obtained
from the experimental pastures at the Hardware Ranch
during the grazing seasons of l961-196h.

31

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opp scum pocampno nmsunnoppan can .mnpom .mommmum aches mo coapwudaflps pamonom .OH magma

32

Great Basin wild-rye was even more heavily used, but it was much less
abundant than beardless wheatgrass and was therefore of less importance.

Utilization of the forbs was equally high under'both intensities
during this grazing period. Mean utilization of arrowleaf balsamroot
was 36 and #3 percent for moderate and heavy use reSpectively.
Blaisdell and.Fechanec (l9h9) reported that arrowleaf balsamroot was
highly palatable to livestock on spring-fall range in Idaho. Forbs
were less abundant than grasses and, therefore, contributed less to
the diet of the animals.

Mean utilization of bitterbrush under moderate use was 5 percent
and ranged from.1 percent in 1962 and l96h to 13 percent in 1961.
Mean utilization of'bitterbrush under heavy use fOr this period was

13 percent and ranged from h percent use in 1964 to 31 percent in 1961.

Mid-Grazing Period
Utilization data for this grazing period are shown in Table 11.

The grass forage during this period was in a more mature stage with
lower moisture content than during the early grazing period. The
assigned utilization rates for beardless wheatgrass under both
intensities of use were not attained during 1963 and 196h, because

to have done so would have caused heavy use of bitterbrush. Mean
utilization of beardless wheatgrass and Great Basin wild-rye was less
under both grazing intensities than during the earlier grazing period.
Mean utilization of beardless wheatgrass under moderate use ranged

from 17 percent in 1964 to #5 percent in 1961 with a mean of 31 percent.
Under heavy use, the mean utilization of beardless wheatgrass was #9

percent and ranged from 26 percent in l96h to 66 percent in 1961.

33

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esp scum condense sushnh099an_pcm .mbhom .mommwum pcwpnogsa Ho :oapmsaaaps unmouom .HH magma

34

Mean utilization of the forbs during this grazing period under both
grazing intensities was low. The balsamroots were not present within
the utilization study plots. Geranium and mule ears were lightly
utilized, with geranium.being used heavier than mule ears. Geranium
has a low palatability to cattle, but its palatability increases during
the summer when it "greens up" following summer showers (Van Dyne 1958).
According to Tingey and Cook (1955), cattle seldom utilize mule ears
when other forage is available. Although, considerable use was made
of it during the early grazing period mentioned in this study.

Cattle showed a preference flar'bitterbrush during this grazing
period under both grazing intensities. Mean utilization of bitterbrush
under’moderate use was 29 percent and ranged from 26 percent during
1961 to 3l.percent in 1962. Under heavy cattle use, the mean utili-
zation for the four years of study of'bitterbrush was 36 percent and
ranged from 30 in 1961 to #0 percent in 1963. In 1963 and 1964, the
cattle were removed from.these pastures short of the projected utiliza-
tion of beardless wheatgrass because of their heavy use of bitterbruSh.

During this grazing period, bitterbrush produced substantial
twig growth during the four years of study and was thus more readily
available than earlier. Einarsen (1956) reported that browse became an
important fraction of the daily diet of cattle during mid-July in Oregon.
He gave two reasons for this: (1) lack of succulent herbaceous forage;
and (2) laCk of food value in the grass forage. He inferred that as the
grasses and forbs matured, the crude protein decreases and crude fiber,
lignin, cellulose, and other carbohydrates increase; whereas, browse

forage remains high in crude protein and does not show great seasonal

35
fluctuations. These seem incomplete explanations for the shift to

browse in this study, for many of the herbaceous plants had moisture
contents fully as high as that of bitterbrush during this period
(Fig. 4) and (Tables 6, 7, 8 and 9). However, Springfield and
Reynolds (1951) found that grasses with the highest moisture contents
were most preferred by cattle during late summer and fall grazing

periods on reseeded grass forage in New Mexico.

Late Grazing Period
Utilization data for this period are shown in Table 12. Again,

beardless wheatgrass and Great Basin wild-rye were the preferred grasses
throughout the study during this grazing period. Mean utilization of
beardless wheatgrass for the feur years of study under moderate and
heavy use was 36 and 60 percent respectively. Under moderate grazing,
utilization of beardless wheatgrass ranged from 17 percent in 1964 to
49 percent in 1961, under heavy use it ranged from 31 percent in 1964
to 83 percent in 1961. The assigned use of beardless wheatgrass was
not attained in 1964 when it was observed that utilization of bitter-
brush was even greater than on beardless wheatgrass.

Utilization of arrowleaf balsamroot under moderate use ranged from
0 percent in 1962 to 14 percent in 1963 with a mean of 6 percent. Under
heavy use, mean utilization of arrowleaf balsamroot was 10 percent and
ranged from 4 percent in 1962 to 14 percent in 1964.

Mean utilization of bitterbrush under moderate and heavy cattle
use was 31 and 41 percent respectively. Use of bitterbrush was
heaviest during this period (the late grazing period). The use of

bitterbrush forage coincided with the maturing of the important grasses

36

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any Scum eocfimpno Susanpoppan was .mpnom .mommwnm essencesd mo gospmuaaaps psoomom .NH canes

37
and forbs, the high moisture content of bitterbrush (Fig. 4), and with

the maximum new growth of bitterbrush.

Periodic Use of Major Species

 

The relationships of use between the important forage Species is
shown better by analyzing the degree of utilization attained as the
grazing periods progressed. The cumulative utilization data are shown
in.Figures 5 to 10. Mean percent utilization of the key and important
grasses, forbs, and bitterbrush for moderate and heavy use for the
three grazing periods are presented in.Fig. 11. Although some
variations occurred, general patterns can be recognized.

The progression of utilization of the important species during the
early grazing periods under moderate and heavy cattle use are presented
in.Figures 5 and 6 reSpectively. During the early grazing period,
bitterbrush was lightly used under both grazing intensities. Further-
more, no use was made of it until well into the grazing period. The
herbaceous forage provided almost all of the diet during this period.
The early grazing period of 1961 was an exception in that substantial
amounts of‘bitterbrush were taken. One important factor may have been
responsible for this utilization by cattle. The moisture content of
the herbaceous species had the lowest content of the four years of
study (Tables 6, 7, 8 and 9). The light use of bitterbrush during this
period may be attributed to the attractiveness of the herbaceous forage
and lack, until the end of the grazing period, of substantial new'
bitterbrush growth.

Utilization progression during the mid-grazing periods under
moderate and heavy cattle use are shown in Figures 7 and 8. The mid-

grazing period showed a less consistent pattern of use than did the early

 

 

 

38

 
   
 
   

 

Page
45
4O
35, Beardless
wheatgrass
30-
25’
Arrowleof
20' balsamroot
15'
z .
010 - Bitterbrush
r.
‘<
E 5-
.1
E o A . . . .
' 5 1o 15 20 25 3o
1 June
545 Pasture E
840’ 1963
31' Arrowleof —=_..
35’ balsamroot
30’ Beardless
wheatgrass
25’
my
15’
10'
Bitterbrush
5.
J 15 2O 30 5
”he DATE
Fig. 5.

45*
4o~
35-
so»
25-
2o-
15’
10-

501

 

45
4O

35'
30-
25’
20-
15'
10*

b

 

Pasture E

 

1962

  
   
   
   

Beardless

Arrowleof
balsamroot

Bitterbrush
15

 

5 10
June

Pasture A
1964

  
  
  
  
   

Beardless
wheatgrass

Arrowleaf
balsam ro t

Bitterbrush
20 25

 

5 10
June

15

Cumulative utilization of beardless wheatgrass, arrowleaf
balsamroot and bitterbrush obtained from the experimental
pastures for moderate cattle use during the early grazing
period at the Hardware Ranch for 1961-1964.

39

 

 

 

70* 7O
Pagéure B Pasture F
65 1 rdlass 55 1962
6C) vv grass 5C) Béandkss
55» £55 vvhsngnss
Antwwem
so 03.53".” so
24 X 45
9.5340 40»
235 3
S30 BitterbrLsh 30’
E25 25
820 2 Arrowled
3515* basannxx
a 1
1C) 10
5 5 Bitter. ,4
O 1'15 ' 5 . 5 104.1533 25 30
JU”° June
65:
6C»
55'
so}
6
EE45
N40'
;!
5535
30
.—.
525’
820’
Hi
15’
1O
5

 

 

 

Fig. 6. Cumulative utilization of beardless wheatgrass, arrowleaf
balsamroot and bitterbrush obtained from the experimental

pastures for heavy cattle use during the early grazing
period at the Hardware Ranch for 1961-1964.

 

 

 

  
   

 

    
       
   

 

   

. 45 Pagséure C
40- 2
35'
Beardless
30’ wheatgrass
25- Bitterbrusn
20-
15
10'
5. Geranium
o c 0
July
3C)[
Pasture C
25,1964
Bitterbru

 

 

“er C
40'
35h Beardless
30‘ wheatgrass;
Butterbrusn
25*
20*
15-
5 10' Geranium
'3 5
'3
:' 0 1o 15? 2'0 2‘5 1‘0
,—
3 July
E3O’Pasture C
é£1255.1§X53
31’ Bitterbrush
20’ \
B ardless
15’ eatgrass
10'
5’ Geranium
2‘0 2‘5 eats 16
July DATE
Fig. 7.

 

 

  

15
July

Cumulative utilization of beardless wheatgrass, geranium

and bitterbrush obtained from the experimental pastures
for moderate cattle use during the mid-grazing period at

the Hardware Ranch for 1961-1964.

41

    
 

 

 

 

 

    
 
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

70‘
(Pegséure D 7C”Pasture D
65, 1 65, 1962
60. .
Beardless 60
55’ wheatgrass 55- fiegtggss
550* 50
245+ 45
E40 40
33 5_ 35, Bitterbrush
'_ Bitterb h
530 ”‘5 30~
Lu
825' 25-
820+ 20+
15' 15’
1o» 1
lgrrlowleaft 1O
. asamroo '
5 x 5.. eranlu'Tl
5 1O 15 2O 25 30 20 25 3O 5 10 15
July July August
45
(Pigggte D 4EWPE§égre E)
z40 Beardless 40'
935. wheatgrass 35. .
:2 . Bltterbrush
'1’ 3 O - \ Batter brush 3 O _
:‘
1525 25’
'_2o- 20.
3,15 15' h t
w ea grass
l2310- 10-
a 5+
*1/4§;:amun1 5.
1'0 15 20 25 3o ’ ‘ 15 .20 2'5 3o ‘ '
July DATE July 5 10

Fig. 8. Cumulative utilization of beardless wheatgrass, geranium
and bitterbrush Obtained from.the experimenta1.pastures
for heavy cattle use during the mid-grazing period at the
Hardware Ranch for 1961-1964.

42

 

 

 

 

 

   
     
    

 

 

 

and bitterbrush obtained

  

  
 
    

 

5K)
(Pasture E 50(Pasture A
40* 40-
35’ Beardless 35’
wheatgrass
30’ 30- Beardless
wheatgrass
2E} 25%
20b Bitterbr sh 20’
15% 15v
5 10’ Geranlum 10'
l—
3 5’ 5'
El
*5 15 20 25 so 15 20 25 so 55
401 August August
Pasture A 4OlPastul—e E
E 963 1964
355' 355'
8 Bitterbru
3:1 30- 30'
less -
25b atgrass 25_ Bltterbrush
20' 20. Beardless
wheatgrass
15v 15V
10* 10*
5 . ranium 5. Geranium
l i - i . A i A . .
15 2O 25 30 10 15 80 25 30 5
Fig. 9. Cumulative utilization of beardless wheatgrass, geranium

from the experimental pastures

far moderate cattle use during the late grazing period at
the Hardware Ranch for 1961-1964.

43

 

 

 

 

 

 

85‘i=>asture F 851Pasture 8
8014961 80.1962
75* Badless 75’
wheatg'ass
70’ 7O
65’ 65’
60' 60’
55’ 55’
50’ 50’
E45 45-
(40 4OL
N
€35. 35L
30 ’ B'rtterbrush 3O ’
12-25’ 25’
1:920 20- Bltterbnsh
3315- 15»
10b 10'
5’ 5
20 25 3o 5 1o 20 25 3o 5 1‘0 15
August August
65 65(Pasture F
60 601964
55 55’
250' 50’
Q
E45 45-
;40' 40’
.—
335’ 35
530’ 30
g25’ 25”
20 20’
33
15- 15-
1O 10[
5 5

 

 

 

25 ' 1 1
August DATE August

Fig. 10. Cumulative utilization of beardless wheatgrass, geranium
and bitterbrush obtained from the experimental pastures
for heavy cattle use during the late grazing period at
the Hardware Ranch for 1961—1964.

50

a
O

W

UTILIZATION
no
0

PERCEN I
to
O

5

- Grass Moderate use
an Grass Heavy use
Forbs Moderate use
5 Forbs Heavy use
Bitterbrush Moderate use
1:: Bitterbrush Heavy use

 
   

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b
: OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

  

EARLY MID

LATE

 

GRAZING GRAZING GRAZING

Fig. 110

Mean utilization of the grasses, forbs and bitterbrush
obtained from the experimental pastures for moderate and
heavy cattle use during the three grazing periods at the
Hardware Ranch for 1961-1964.

1+5

period. In general, grass was most readily eaten: but bitterbrush
was taken at the outset in substantial amounts. In 1964, under both
intensities of use and under moderate intensity of grazing in 1963,
the percent utilization of bitterbrush exceeded that of'beardless
wheatgrass. Forbs were much less readily utilized than either grasses
or bitterbrush during this grazing period.

Several important factors that may have influenced cattle
utilization during this period are: (l) the moisture content of the
herbaceous forage dropped rapidly; (2) the herbaceous forage had
matured, decreasing the preference far it; (3) the reduced available
herbaceous forage may have altered the preference of the forage; and
(4) the advancement of bitterbrush stem elongation made this farage
more available.

The progression of utilization for the late grazing periods under
moderate and.heavy cattle use are presented in Figures 9 and 10. The
pattern shown during the late summer period is substantially the same
as during the mid-summer period. Cattle used bitterbrush from the
start and, except in 1961, the percentage utilization was equal to or
exceeded that observed for beardless wheatgrass. Forbs were more
lightly used than during the other periods. The same factors that
caused the forage preference during the mid-grazing period were active
during this period.

No use of big sagebrush by cattle was observed during any of

the grazing periods.

Effects of'Cattle Grazing Upon Bitterbrush Plants
Cattle use of bitterbrush during the early and late grazing

periods increased the vigor and stem elongation of the bitterbrush

46
plants within these pastures. Observations indicated that bitterbrush
seedlings were being released within these same pastures, although no
data were collected. According to Nord (1965), moderate cattle use of
bitterbrush in California had little effect on the number of established
plants and.more bitterbrush seedlings were released from moderate cattle
use than where bitterbrush was unused. Apparently cattle trampling
under moderate use enhances bitterbrush reproduction.

Nord (1965) found that heavy livestock grazing upon bitterbrush
reduced the plant crown and height spread 40 to 50 percent respectively.
He further reported that as a bitterbrush plant approached maturity
and became senescent, that the plant cannot withstand heavy livestock
use. Mean big game use upon the bitterbrush plants within the pastures
for the duration of the study was 50 percent. Proper utilization of
bitterbrush by big game animals is considered to be 40 to 60 percent
with 50 percent utilization being a reasonably safe use (Hill 1956).
However, heavier use of bitterbrush weakens and kills the plant
(Ratcliff 1941). But light to moderate use of bitterbrush stimulates

stem elongation (Hill 1956, Nord 1965).

Management Implications

Any grazing program designed to manage big game winter range in
favor of browse species must be based on several factors: first, the
management objectives in regard to holding the big game herds in balance
with the carrying capacity of the winter range; second, the maintenance
of livestock use of the browse forage at a low level; thirdly, the

grazing period during which the herbaceous plants are most preferred

117'
by domestic animals; and fourthly, the grazing intensity that most
affects subsequent growth vigor of herbaceous plants and reduces
herbaceous competition from the preferred browse species on that
particular range.

To date, several studies have reported correlating clipping of
bluebunch wheatgrass (AgrOpypon §picatum) to plant vigor upon
foothill ranges. Beardless wheatgrass is considered a subspecies
or a variety of bluebunch wheatgrass by some. McIlvanie (1942)
reported that clippings of bluebunch wheatgrass, made either in the
seven inch height stage or when the plant was in the middle of
vegetative growth, reduced the plant vigor in Montana. Stoddart (1946)
stated that the vigor of bluebunch wheatgrass was most affected.by
grazing during the month of'May on foothill ranges of northern Utah.
Blaisdell and Pechanec (1949) reported that bluebunch wheatgrass was
most susceptible to clipping during the ”heads showing” stage, which
is about early June on spring-fall livestock range in southern Idaho.

Arrowleaf balsamroot growth vigor was reduced most when clipped
during late May or early June (Blaisdell and Pechanec, 1949) on the
same range.

Although early and moderate cattle grazing resulted in the least
utilization of bitterbrush when the herbaceous forage was preferred,
it may be advantageous to sacrifice a somewhat greater amount of
bitterbrush forage for heavy cattle use of the grasses and forbs
during the early grazing period. Increased growth of bitterbrush
due to reduced competition from the herbaceous species could at least

partially compensate for the loss of bitterbrush forage to cattle

48
from grazing pressure exerted during early summer. Cattle utilization
of'bitterbrush during the mid-grazing and late-grazing periods under
both intensities would be too severe and would have little effect on

the vigor of herbaceous farage.
SUMMARY

A cattle grazing study was conducted from 1961 through 1964 at
the Hardware Ranch, Blacksmith Fork Canyon in northern Utah. The
objective of the study was to determine the seasons and intensities of
cattle use that would result in substantial utilization of the herbaceous
plants with minimal utilization of bitterbrush.

Three sets of paired pastures were used. Moderate and heavy
grazing pressure was exerted on the two pastures of each set during
the early, middle and late grazing periods of the grazing season.

Canopyacoverage data of the vegetation on each pasture were taken
prior to grazing each year. Phenological and moisture content data
were collected through the grazing season.

Utilization of the important grasses and forbs was determined by
ocular estimates obtained from 25 permanent 96 square foot circular
plots within each pasture. Ocular estimates of bitterbrush use were
procured from 20 tagged representative bitterbrush plants in each
pasture.

Light use was made of bitterbrush during the early grazing period
at either intensity of use. Herbaceous plants were clearly preferred.
Preference for the important herbaceous forage Species during the
early grazing period was attributed to the moisture content and stage

of growth.

49

During both the mid-summer and the late summer periods, bitterbrush
was readily eaten from the outset. Its use could not, therefore, be
attributed to lack of herbaceous forage. And, although the moisture
content and general succulence of herbaceous plants had declined some-
what from.the early period, the herbaceous forage continued to be taken
in volume. I believe that increased stem elongation of bitterbrush
was partially responsible fer the use observed during these periods.

The results Obtained lead to the conclusion that mixed browse-
herbaceous ranges used by big game animals in winter should be grazed
by cattle prior to July 1 in northern Utah to maintain the maximmm
amount of bitterbrush browse. Cattle use during this period would
reduce the vigor of the herbaceous vegetation competing with bitterbrush

plants upon big game winter ranges.

LITERATURE CITED

Beetle, A. A. 1960. A study of sagebrush: the section Tridentata of
Artemisia. Univ. of Wyoming Agr. Emt. Sta. Bull. 368. 83 pp.

Blaisdell, J. P., and J. F. Pechanec. 1949. Effects of herbage removal
at various dates on vigor of bluebunch wheatgrass and arrowleaf
balsamroot. Ecology 30(3): 298-305.

Cook, C. W., and L. A. Stoddart. 1959. Physiological responses of
big sagebrush to different types of herbage removal. J. Range
Mgmt. 13(1): 14-16.

CooPer, H. W. 1953. Amounts of big sagebrush in plant communities
near Tensle , Wyoming, as affected by grazing treatment.
Ecology 34(1 : 186—189.

Daubenmire, R. 1959. A canopy-coverage method of vegetational
analysis. Northwest Sci. 33(1): 43-64.

Dietz, D. R., and L. E. Yeager. 1959. The apparent role of sagebrush
in the management of mule deer winter range. Western Assoc.
State Game and Fish Commissioners Proc. 39: 151-158.

Einarsen, A. S. 1956. Some aspects of mule deer management. Pp. 461--
482. In W. P. Taylor (Ed.) The deer of North America. The
Stackpole Co., Harrisburg, Pa. and The Wildl. Mgmt. Inst.,
Washington, D. C. 668 pp.

Gysel, L. W. 1960. An ecological study of the winter range of elk
and mule deer in the Rocky Mountain National Park. J. Forestry

58(9): 696-703.

Heady, H. F. 1964. Palatability of herbage and animal preference.
J. Range Mgmt. 17(2): 76-82.

Hill, R. R. 1956. Forage, food habits, and range management of mule
deer. Pp. 393-414. In W. P. Taylor (Ed.). The deer of North
America. The Stackpole Co., Harrisburg, Pa. and The Wildl. Mgmt.
Inst., Washington, D. C. 668 pp.

Holmgren, R. C. 19 56. Competition between annuals and young bitterbrush
(Purshia tridentata) in Idaho. Ecology 37(2): 370-377.

Hormay, A. L. 1943. Bitterbrush in California. California Forest
and Range Eiqat. Sta. Res. Note 34. 13 pp.

50

51

Hubbard, R. L., and H. R. Sanderson. 1961. Grass reduces bitterbrush
production. California Fish and Game 47(4): 391-398.

McIlvanie, S. K. 1942. Carbohydrate and nitrogen trends in bluebunch
wheatgrass (Agropypon.spicatum) with Special reference to grazing
influences. Plant Physiology 17(4): 540-557.

Nord, E. C. 1965. Autecology of bitterbrush in California. Ecol.
Monographs 35(3): 307-334.

Pechanec, J. F., and G. D. Pickford. 1937. A comparison of some
methods used in determining percentage utilization of range
grasses. J. Agr. Res. 54(10): 753-765.

, G. Stewart, A. P. Plummer, J. H. Robertson, and A. C. Hull, Jr.
1954. Controlling sagebrush on range lands. U. S. Dept. Agr.,
Farmer's Bull. No. 2072. 36 pp.

Pickford, G. D. 1932. The influence of continued heavy grazing and of
promiscuous burning on spring-fall ranges in Utah. Ecology 13(2):
159-171.

Ratcliff, H. M. 1941. 'Winter range conditions in Rocky Mountain
National.Park. Trans. N. Am. Wildl. Conf. 6: 132-139.

Reynolds, H. G., and P. E. Packer. 1963. Effects of trampling on
soil and vegetation. Pp. 116-122. In symposium on range research
methodS. U. Se Dept. Agr.. ForeSt Serv. M130. PUbe N0. 9%.
Denver, Colorado. 172 pp.

Robertson, J. H. 1947. Responses of range grasses to different
intensities of competition with sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata
Nutt.). Ecology 28(1): 1-16.

Shantz, H. L. 1925. Plant communities in Utah and Nevada. Pp. 15-23.
In I. Tidestrom (Ed.) Flora of Utah and Nevada. Vol. 25.
Contr. United States National Herbarium, Washington, D. C. 665 pp.

Smith, A. D. 1949. Effects of mule deer and livestock upon a foothill
range in northern Utah. J. Wildl. Mgmt. 13(4): 421-423.

. 1950. Sagebrush as a winter feed for deer. J. Wildl.
. Mgmt. 14(3): 285-289.

 

, and P. J. Urness. 1961. A study of the effects of

grazing animals upon winter game ranges. Job Compl. Rep., Fed.
Aid Project No. WH65-RH9. Utah State Dept. Fish and Game.

9 pp. Processed.

 

52

Springfield, H. W., and H. G. Reynolds. 1951. Grazing preferences
of cattle for certain reseeding grasses. J. Range Mgmt. 4(2):
83.87.

Stoddart, In A. 1946. Some physical and chemical responses of
5gpgpyppp_§picatum to herbage removal at various seasons.
Utah State Agr. Coll., Agr. Expt. Sta. Bull. No. 324. 24 pp.

, and A. D. Smith. 1955. Range Management. 2nd Ed.
McGraw-Hill Book Co., Inc., New York, Toronto and London. 433 pp.

 

Tingey, D. C., and C. W. Cook. 1955. Eradication of mule ear with
herbicides and its relation to production of forage on range
lands. Utah State Agr. Coll., Agr. Expt. Sta. Bull. No. 375.
16 pp. .

U. S. Weather Bureau. 1961-1964. Climatological data - Utah.
Monthly records 63(5—6): 63-99; 64(5-6): 61-92; 65(5-6): 59-89;
66(5-6): 67-101. .

Van Dyne, G. M. 1958. Ranges and range plants. Montana State Coll.
Book Store. Processed.

APPENDIX I

Check list of scientific and common names of plants encountered within

the experimental pastures at the Hardware Ranch from 1961-1964.

Scientific Name

Achillea lanulosa

Agastache urticifolia

Agropygon cristatum
Aggopygon igggmg
Agrqpygon smithii
Aggopyron subsecundum
Agropyron trachycaulum
5112.112 Spp-
Amelanchier alnifolia
Artemisia ludoviciana
Artemisia tridentata
£5132; spp-

Astragalus spp.
Balsamorhiza macroghylla
Balsamorhiza sagittata
Egggug tectorum
Calochortus nuttallii

Carex spp.

Castilleja spp.

53

1

Common Name

Yarrow

Horsemint

Crested wheatgrass
Beardless wheatgrass
western wheatgrass
Bearded Wheatgrass
Slender wheatgrass
Wild onion
Serviceberry
'Wormwood

Big sagebrush

Aster

Locoweed

Balsamroot
Arrowleaf balsamroot
Cheatgrass

Sego lily

Carex

Indian paint brush

Scientific Name

Chgygothamnus viscidiflorus

Cirsium spp.
Cordylanthus canescens
glymgg cinereus
Eriogonum spp.
Festuca idahoensis
Geranium fremontii
Helianthella uniflora
mug spp-

Koeleria cristata
Lupinus caudatus
Lithogpermum incisum
Mahonia m
Mgligg‘bulbosa
Potentilla gracilis

Poa cogpressa

ggépfendleriana
2% pratensis

Egg secunda

Egg wheeleri
gguggg virginiana
Purshia tridentata
13.32229; spp-

Rosa spp.

Sambucus coerulea

Common Name

Rabbitbrush
Thistle
Cordylanthus
Great Basin wild-rye
BuCKwheat
Bluebunch fescue
Geranium

Little sunflower
Rush

Junegrass

Lupine

Cromwell

Oregon grape
Oniongrass
Cinquefoil

Canada bluegrass
Muttongrass
Kentucky'bluegrass
Sandberg bluegrass
Wheeler bluegrass
Chokecherry
Bitterbrush

'Wild currant

Wild rose

Blueberry elder

55
Scientific Name

Sidalcea spp.
Sitanion hystrix
Stipa columbiana

Stipa lettermani

Symphoricagpos oreophilus

Taraxacum officinale
Tragopogon QEEEEE
11.5103281313-

‘Wyethia amplexicaulis
Zygadenus paniculatus

 

Common.Name

Prairie mallow
Squirreltail
Columbia needlegrass
Letterman needlegrass
Snowberry

Dandelion

Salsify

Violet

Mule ears

Deathcamus

1Scientific and common names for the grasses were derived from
Hitchcock, A. S. Manual of the grasses of the United States.
Misc. Pub. No. 200. Gov. Printing Office, Washington, D. C.
The scientific and common names for the forbs and shrubs were

derived from.Holmgren, A. H. 1959.

Handbook of the vascular plants

of the northern Wasatch. Lith-o-type Process Co., San Francisco,

Calif.

MICHIGAN STRTE UNIV. LIBRQRIES

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