Sheep for Sage-GrouseSheep for Sage-Grouse

Michael GutteryUtah State University

Strategic Intensive GrazingStrategic Intensive Grazing

For Wildlife Habitat???For Wildlife Habitat???

Sage-Grouse Brood-Rearing HabitatSage-Grouse Brood-Rearing Habitat

Appears to be a limiting Appears to be a limiting

factor for some factor for some populations.populations.

Prefer sparse shrub Prefer sparse shrub cover.cover.

Need an abundance of Need an abundance of forbs and insects.forbs and insects.

Alternative Methods Alternative Methods

MechanicalMechanical

ChemicalChemical

Why Consider GrazingWhy Consider GrazingPublic AcceptancePublic AcceptanceSafetySafetyCostCostCONTROLCONTROL

Campbell and Taylor. 2006. Targeted grazing to manage weedy brush and trees

Study DesignStudy Design

• 8 Sets of paired.8 Sets of paired.

• Plots are approximately 8 Plots are approximately 8 acres (3.2 ha). acres (3.2 ha).

• Plots randomly chosen to Plots randomly chosen to receive grazing treatment.receive grazing treatment.

Grazing TreatmentGrazing Treatment

• Grazed from mid-Oct thru late Grazed from mid-Oct thru late Nov 2006.Nov 2006.

• 500 sheep per plot.500 sheep per plot.

• Each plot grazed for 7-10 days.Each plot grazed for 7-10 days.

• Sheep were fed 3 lbs of Sheep were fed 3 lbs of supplement per head per day.supplement per head per day.

Vegetation MeasurementsVegetation Measurements• Line intercept for % shrub cover (4 transects per plot).Line intercept for % shrub cover (4 transects per plot).

• Daubenmire frame for understory cover (12 per plot).Daubenmire frame for understory cover (12 per plot).

•Exclosures (total, ungulate, and open) to assess Exclosures (total, ungulate, and open) to assess impact of herbivory (measured cover and biomass).impact of herbivory (measured cover and biomass).

•Sagebrush density and biomass (5 measures per plot).Sagebrush density and biomass (5 measures per plot).

Grouse Use MeasurementsGrouse Use Measurements• Bird-dog surveys.Bird-dog surveys.

• Area-constrained surveys (no pre-treatment).Area-constrained surveys (no pre-treatment).

Does It Work?Does It Work?

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Treatment Exclosure Biomass Grass Cover Forb Cover

Grazed Open 5.53 8.34 9.78

Grazed Ungulate 10.60 23.50 13.31

Grazed Total 11.48 25.16 14.84

Control Open 5.77 8.66 12.28

Control Ungulate 5.48 14.91 10.03

Control Total 8.18 12.88 11.84

So, Does It Work?So, Does It Work?

Maybe!Maybe!

If so, then the next question is:If so, then the next question is:

How long will the effect last?How long will the effect last?

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgementsUtah State UniversityUtah State University

Department of Wildland ResourcesDepartment of Wildland Resources

Sage-Grouse Restoration ProjectSage-Grouse Restoration Project

Parker Mountain Adaptive Resources Parker Mountain Adaptive Resources Management Local Working Group (PARM)Management Local Working Group (PARM)

Mr. Andy TaftMr. Andy Taft

Dr. Roger BannerDr. Roger Banner

Dr. Fred ProvenzaDr. Fred Provenza

Dr. Terry MessmerDr. Terry Messmer

QUESTIONS?