Measuring Fireweed Utilization

Abstract

Measurement of grazing use on forbs has not received as much attention as grasses. On the Willamette National Forest, forbs are major forage producers for the first 10 years after clearcutting and slash disposal. Studies on fireweed showed that a percent-height to percent-weight curve could be developed which was accurate and efficient to use. Utilization measurements, to be meaningful, however, must be correlated with resource use or protection.