Grazing Return Following Sagebrush Control in Eastern Oregon

Abstract

In the 17 years following chemical brush control of a 40-acre big sagebrush-bunchgrass range, grazed during or after seed maturity of the principal grasses, yearling days of grazing increased 1.9 times as much and per acre beef gains were 2.3 times that prior to brush control. Total herbage production averaged 227 lb./acre prior to treatment and 681 lb./acre in the years following treatment. The internal rate of return derived from the beef returns of this study and estimated costs was in excess of 50%. Brush return was slow during the first decade following treatment but is now rapidly approaching pretreatment numbers and dispersion characteristics.