Grazing Nassella: Maintaining Purple Needlegrass in a Sea of Aggressive Annuals

Abstract

On the Ground • Purple needlegrass responds positively to early spring grazing that reduces competition from invasive annuals. • Rest during flowering allows for seed set and regrowth before soil moisture is depleted. • Dry season grazing can create a harsh soil surface microclimate during germination and seedling establishment of competing annuals the following year. • Purple needlegrass is not preferred by grazing livestock during the dry season, but high stock densities can increase its utilization.