Relationship between Precipitation and Annual Rangeland Herb Age Production in Southeastern Kansas

Abstract

Herbage production on the loamy upland range site in southeastern Kansas is related to seasonal precipitation. April through September precipitation gave the most reliable predictor of total herbage production. However, this value cannot be determined early enough in the season to make adjustments in livestock numbers on seasonally grazed ranges. May through July precipitation, though less precise than that for April through September, can also be used to predict herbage yields and is timely enough for seasonal adjustments in livestock. Big bluestem was the only major species that showed significant correlation with seasonal precipitation. May through July precipitation was the best predictor of the herbage produced by this species.