Utilization Practices and the Returns from Seeding an Area to Crested Wheatgrass

Abstract

Numerous studies have estimated the benefits and costs of various types of range improvements, including seedings. However, the results reported have varied widely. One of the reasons why these estimates have varied is that the effect of utilization (season and amount) has generally not been explicitly considered. In an effort to provide some insight into the effect utilization has on returns, a study of the Point Springs seedings in south-central Idaho was undertaken. This study indicated that: (1) spring utilization of crested wheatgrass seedings is a necessary prerequisite to favorable net returns; (2) grazing patterns involving heavy utilization had the shortest life, but the highest net returns; (3) fall only utilization had the lowest net returns; (4) the net returns from seeding the area were greater than the investment costs for nearly all utilization patterns considered; and (5) seeding an area to crested wheatgrass can yield returns which may be greater than the returns from investing scarce investment dollars in other range improvement alternatives.