LOMOND, Alta. – The southern plains are dry more often than not, so
producers must be prepared for the next extra-dry period, says an
Alberta range manager.
“Everybody who makes a living in this environment has to think about
drought as a recurring theme,” said Barry Adams, based in Lethbridge,
Alta.
A recent range management program in Lomond focused on helping
grasslands recover from drought, and the process is expected to be slow.
“How much we harvest from our pastures is the number one question on
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our minds for a number of years, with the drought conditions we have
had,” said Adams.
Some major grazing reserves have been closed for the rest of this year,
including the 75,000-acre Sage Creek and Pinhorn reserves in
southeastern Alberta.
Producers have learned that drought impacts are cumulative and long
term, similar to the devastation of a prairie fire on rangeland.
Among the first steps to recovery are rebuilding root zones and litter
on the ground. Grazing intensity affects leaf growth and root vigour.
“If you keep down the shoot, you kill the root.”
Healthy, heavy growth above the ground contributes to healthier root
systems and plants’ ability to draw water and nutrients from the soil.
Strong root systems that send a mass of tendrils deep into the ground
bind the soil and build foliage health.
In badly eroded pastures in brown soil zones, full recovery may take a
decade. Dark brown soil zones need four to six years to regain health.
Black soil zones return to a healthy state in three to four years.
Overgrazing during drought reduces litter on the ground, making it
vulnerable to erosion.
Litter consists of standing, fallen or partially decomposed plant
residues. It shades and cools the ground, traps snow, increases water
filtration and reduces raindrop impact.
Litter recovery is correlated with grass recovery.
In the brown and dark brown soil zones, half the grass yield depends on
adequate litter cover. About 30 percent of yield in the foothills is
dependent on the degree of litter build up.
In the black soil zones, researchers including Adams have measured
about 1,400 pounds per acre of litter. In the Cypress Hills area, there
are about 200 pounds of litter per acre.
Time of year also affects plant regrowth. Early spring grazing can
damage a plant at its most vulnerable and remove litter.
“Grazing early and doing it every year is like setting out on a trip
with a quarter tank of fuel. It is not a prudent thing to do,” said
Adams.
Rest-rotation grazing is another strategy. One grazing unit is set
aside for an entire growing season to recover from overstocking,
overgrazing or drought.
