On The Ground • The Conservation Effects Assessment Project (CEAP) is a multi-agency effort to quantify the Environmental effects of conservation practices and programs and develop the science base for managing the agricultural landscape for environmental quality. • The rangeland CEAP review evaluated the scientific literature on seven core NRCS conservation practices: prescribed grazing, prescribed burning, brush management, range planting, riparian herbaceous cover, upland wildlife habitat management, and herbaceous weed control. • The scientific literature “broadly supports” the reviewed rangeland conservation practices standards; however, there is a disjunct in integrating science and field-based knowledge so that managers and conservationists can fully understand the individualistic dynamic aspects of rangeland conservation practices. • The CEAP synthesis establishes a precedent for partnerships among scientists, land managers, conservation specialists, and policymakers to provide NRCS with useful, current, science-based information for rangeland conservation practices.

On the Ground • Ranch drought planning is important for identifying management priorities, proactively evaluating management options before a drought occurs, and ultimately reducing the effects of drought on an operation and the grasslands that support it. • An engagement activity with ranchers and ranch advisors developed a drought planning methodology to help other ranchers develop their own individual ranch drought plans. • Although the ranchers and advisors who participated differed some on specific approaches, they agreed on the benefits of incorporating drought into overall ranch planning well in advance of drought and acknowledged the reality of having to make adjustments as situations arise.

On the Ground • The bark, leaves, and berries of western juniper trees in Oregon can cause abortions in late-term pregnant cattle. • The percentage of the abortion-causing compounds varied from tree to tree in a location, as well as between locations across Oregon, but did not appear to vary across time. • Cattle producers who winter cattle in pastures with western juniper trees should take cautions such as denying late-term pregnant cattle access to these pastures, providing adequate feed and shelter, maintaining pregnant cattle in good body condition, changing calving schedules to late spring or early fall, and, if abortions do occur, seeking veterinary care for any postpartum complications.