Vegetation Trends within Rest-Rotation and Season-long Grazing Systems in the Missouri River Breaks, Montana

Abstract

Trends in canopy-coverage of vegetation and bare ground were measured inside and outside exclosures on recent burns within three-pasture rest-rotation and season-long grazing systems over a 10-year period. Results suggested that rest-rotation grazing may maintain vegetation and soil cover somewhat comparable to ungrazed cattle exclosures on rough breaks-type range in north-central Montana. Season-long grazing may not maintain satisfactory vegetation and soil cover in the area.