Sheep Grazing Ecology

Dr. Hudson A. Glimp

Sheep grazing ecology is defined as the use of sheep grazing as an ecological management tool to sustain and enhance our environment. The decline in livestock grazing in the west has been parallel to the invasion of noxious plants and weeds that are a serious threat to natural ecosystems. Increased public concerns with the use of herbicides and mechanical disturbances are forcing land managers to seek alternative methods to control invasive plant species and competing vegetation. Man’s control of fire, which we now recognize as a natural process in ecosystem management, has created serious challenges, particularly at the wildlands – urban interface. This presentation provides examples of how controlled grazing can provide both ecosystem protection and economic returns to the producer or grazing manager. Four specific projects are discussed as examples.

British Columbia has restricted the use of herbicides in tree plantations to (1) reduce competing vegetation in clear cuts in preparation for tree planting, and (2) in new tree plantations to control competing vegetation. Bruce Cochrane, Cariboo Sheep and Wool, 150 Mile House, B. C. is a sheep grazing contractor with the B. C. Division of Forestry. He is paid to graze clear cuts and new tree plantations. Compensation is based on a monthly fee per head plus herder costs, guarantees on death losses, and transportation costs. Research at Oregon State and by the U. S. and Canadian Forest Services indicates that tree damage is minimal, tree growth is actually increased, and costs may in many cases be less than with herbicide treatments.

Dick Henry, Bellwether Solutions, Concord, New Hampshire contracted with Public Service New Hampshire (PSNH) to control vegetation with sheep grazing under their power lines. PSNH and their "Grazing Power Project" have won environmental awards with this alternative to chemical or mechanical control of vegetation. It is estimated that over $1.5 billion is spent annually to control vegetation under power lines in the U. S., and that over one-half of this could be controlled by grazing. Dick’s sheep and herders are now wintering in Orlando, Florida and being paid to control invasive vegetation in parks, farms, and along roadways.

Tom Filbin, Sonoma Livestock Company, Golconda, Nevada has completed two highly successful "paid to graze" projects. We contracted with Tom to graze a fire break along the Sierra Front on Carson Hill adjacent to new subdivisions in Carson City, NV. Tom was compensated approximately $15 per month per ewe plus all expenses to graze a 200 ft. fire break adjacent to the subdivisions. Fire fighters and managers are very excited about this project, as are the homeowners adjacent to this hill that has historically burned every 12 –15 years and last burned 13 years ago. This firebreak could be grazed for 10 years in this manner for the cost to replace one home, and over 100 homes have been built in the last 5 years in the area that burned in 1987. Tom also worked with Candelaria Mine south of Mina, NV to use sheep grazing to revegetate a large abandoned heap leach pile. The slopes were too steep for cattle, and sheep were tried as an alternative. Aerial seeding of the slopes was followed by pitching hay bales down the slopes for sheep to use as feed. The sheep hoof action worked the seed into contact with the soil, and left the site fertilized with manure and urine plus a mulch cover of unused hay. Although seed germination and first year plant survival were excellent, more time is needed to determine if this "one shot" treatment will meet reclamation requirements. Tom was paid $20 per ewe plus all expenses for the use of 1,000 ewes for six weeks in this project. This mine has several million dollars held in escrow by the BLM for the reclamation of this heap leach pile.

The above are just a few examples of how "paid to graze" programs can help us meet our ecosystem management goals and benefit both society and sheep producers.

Dr. Hudson A. Glimp
Nevada State SARE Coordinator
Colleges of Agriculture and Cooperative Extension
University of Nevada
Mail Stop 202
Reno, Nevada 89557
Tel: (775) 784-4254
hglimp@agnt1.ag.unr.edu

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