Summer Grazing of Sagebrush-Grass Range by Sheep

Abstract

Sagebrush-grass range normally grazed in the spring and fall can be grazed in the summer to provide a maintenance ration for ewes if their lambs are weaned early. Moderate grazing (57-99 sheep days/ha) in early or late summer did not change vegetative composition or yields. Heavy grazing (185-198 sheep days/ha) in the early summer decreased yields of grasses and the cushion-forb Hoods phlox. Late summer grazing did not change the grass or forb yields. Sagebrush yields increased in the sagebrush subtype where balsamroot was abundant under early summer grazing.