Targeted Grazing Committee
The Targeted Grazing Committee (TGC) is a self formed committee of practitioners, land managers, research and extension personnel that formed in 2009. The TGC will contribute to the SRM mission which is: to promote the professional development and continuing education of members and the public and the stewardship of rangeland resources.
Overview and Introduction
The Targeted Grazing Committee (TGC) is a self formed committee of practitioners, land managers, research and extension personnel that formed in 2009. The TGC will contribute to the SRM mission which is: to promote the professional development and continuing education of members and the public and the stewardship of rangeland resources.
Since the 2006 publication of “Targeted Grazing: A Natural Approach to Vegetation Management and Landscape Enhancement”, the term targeted grazing has been defined as the application of a specific kind of livestock at a determined season, duration, and intensity to accomplish defined vegetation or landscape goals. Examples of these goals include: weed control, fire risk reduction, and wildlife habitat enhancement.
Recent Events
Wednesday, November 10, 2021, 5:00 Pacific, 7:00 Central
Throughout the West many targeted graziers focus on the objective of fine fuels reduction to help lower the risk of wildfire in wildland-urban interfaces (WUIs). In their development of the Vegetation Treatment Program, (CalVTP), the California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection included targeted grazing, or “prescribed herbivory,” as a state-sanctioned method of fuel management in the program. Inclusion in CalVTP puts grazing on the same playing field as other more widely-accepted forms of fuels management such as prescribed burning, mechanical treatments, manual removal, and herbicide treatment, with opportunities for financial support of approved projects.
Guest Speaker Dan Macon of University of California Extension discussed the importance of targeted grazing in CalVTP, the process of having grazing recognized in the program and how it fits with conventional grazing systems.
This webinar is be of interest to anyone who works with government agencies who are reluctant to recognize the value of targeted grazing as a tool. Come learn how California has taken a step in the right direction.
Recording:
Access Passcode: 7*R.@#EU
Resources:
- Brown, D. 2014. Plants poisonous to livestock and other animals. Cornell University, Department of Animal Science. Available at www.ansci.cornell.edu/plants)
- Davy, J., et al. 2015. Introducing cattle grazing to a noxious weed-dominated rangeland shifts plant communities. California Agriculture.
- George, M., B. Frost, and N. McDougald. 2014. Annual Rangeland Handbook. Chapter 8. Grazing management.
- Howery, L.D., F.D. Provenza, and B. Burrit. 2010. Herbivores learn to forage in a world where the only constant is change. University of Arizona Cooperative Extension Publication AZ1518
- Launchbaugh, K., and J. Walker. 2006. Targeted Grazing Handbook. Chapter 1. Targeted Grazing – a new paradigm for livestock management.
Tuesday, August 10th, 5:00 Pacific/ 7:00 Central
Targeted grazing under solar developments has become very popular in recent years! During this webinar we featured graziers who specialize in vegetation management in solar developments.
This was a three part series.
The Range Management Advisory Committee and California Fire Science Consortium hosted a series of three virtual workshops where they featured the sustainable management of California’s fire-prone landscapes using targeted grazing.
Want to be a featured Targeted Grazier?
The Targeted Grazing Committee will be spotlighting the society’s amazing targeted graziers on our social media pages. Please fill out the below survey or invite others to fill in the form to be featured. After the form is submitted, the committee will select a few graziers annually to feature. If you wish to review the post before it is posted please request post review. Pdf copies of the form can be submitted to targetedgrazing@gmail.com, if preferred.
PDF form download here.
Key Publications
Referred to by the Targeted Grazing Committee
2019 Targeted Grazing Synthesis Paper: Targeted Livestock Grazing: Prescription for Healthy Rangelands By D.K. Bailey, J. C. Mosley, R. E Estell, A. F. Cibils, M. Horney, J. R. Hendrickson, J. W. Walker, K. L. Launchbaugh, and E. A. Burritt
Targeted Grazing: A Natural Approach to Vegetation Management and Landscape Enhancement Edited by Karen L. Launchbaugh, John W. Walker and Ron J. Daines. This publication is often called the “The Targeted Grazing Handbook.”
Click here to subscribe to the Targeted Grazing email list.
In order to ensure emails make it to your inbox please also add targetedgrazing@gmail.com to your address book or safe sender list.
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Targeted Grazing Certification
The Targeted Grazing Committee has developed a certification for targeted graziers through the Society for Range Management. If you have questions about Certification please contact the Targeted Grazing Committee at targetedgrazing@gmail.com.
Application for Targeted Grazier Certification- If you’re ready to pursue certification fill out this form to initiate the process. Shortly afterward you will be contacted by a member of the committee to determine the next steps.
Videos and Presentations
November 5, 10:00-12:00 (Pacific)* – Sustainable Management of California’s Fire Prone Landscapes: Using Grazing to Help Keep Communities Safe – Webinar by the California Fire Science Consortium and CalPoly University.
November 12, 10:00-12:00 (Pacific)* -Using Grazing for Fuels Management 101: Practices and strategies: Webinar by the California Fire Science Consortium and CalPoly University.
November 19, 10:00-12:00 (Pacific)* – Organizing Community-Based Wildland Fuels Management Projects: Approaches and Strategies – Webinar by the California Fire Science Consortium and CalPoly University.
Click here to access recordings of these webinars.
Management of Livestock Distribution
February 11, 2010 — Denver, CO
This organized oral discussion focused on the practical application of targeted grazing as a vegetation management tool. The scientific background of targeted grazing has been presented and discussed, but the gap between theory and application needs to be bridged to empower land managers to make use of the emerging tool. The immense diversity of situations to which this tool can be applied necessitates the exchange of real-life experiences to promote learning among practitioners and to inform land managers of the successful programs and potential pitfalls to avoid. The intended audience was land managers, both public and private, and livestock managers and producers. Speakers consisted of several contract graziers with experience in providing land services in a diverse array of situations, from small-scale, highly managed parcels to watershed-scale management projects. Other speakers expounded on grazing on public lands and provided insight on what must be done to make targeted grazing a widely accepted management practice. Finally, we concluded with a speaker panel and audience discussion. Through this event we hoped to lay down the first planks of knowledge from experienced practitioners to bridge the gap between research and the application of targeted grazing as a tool to manage rangelands.
Following are the 2010 Powerpoint Presentations:
Healing Hooves, LLC – Using goats as a tool to help clients achieve landscape objectives
Presenter: Craig Madsen
File: PPT – 30MB
Prescriptive Livestock Services – Vegetation management on public and private lands
Presenter: Ray Holes
File: PPT – 47MB
More is Better – A Montana rancher employs over 3000 sheep to combat leafy spurge and spotted knapweed
Presenter: John Lehfeldt
File: PPT – 31MB
Jay Springs Lamb – Using targeted grazing to produce more grass, more trees, and more lamb
Presenter: Jennifer Cunningham
File: PPT – 8.8MB
Heifer Targeted Grazing – Potential impacts on japanese brome in Nebraska Loess Canyons
Presenter: Bob Welling
File: PPT – 64MB
Opportunities for Grazing as an Ecological Tool on National Forests
Presenter: Dave Bradford
File: PPT – 50MB
Targeted Grazing on Public Lands for Hazardous Fuels and Weed Reduction
Presenter: John Sullivan
File: PPT – 40MB
Following are the 2010 Powerpoint Presentations:
Healing Hooves, LLC – Using goats as a tool to help clients achieve landscape objectives
Presenter: Craig Madsen
File: PPT – 30MB
Prescriptive Livestock Services – Vegetation management on public and private lands
Presenter: Ray Holes
File: PPT – 47MB
More is Better – A Montana rancher employs over 3000 sheep to combat leafy spurge and spotted knapweed
Presenter: John Lehfeldt
File: PPT – 31MB
Jay Springs Lamb – Using targeted grazing to produce more grass, more trees, and more lamb
Presenter: Jennifer Cunningham
File: PPT – 8.8MB
Heifer Targeted Grazing – Potential impacts on japanese brome in Nebraska Loess Canyons
Presenter: Bob Welling
File: PPT – 64MB
Opportunities for Grazing as an Ecological Tool on National Forests
Presenter: Dave Bradford
File: PPT – 50MB
Targeted Grazing on Public Lands for Hazardous Fuels and Weed Reduction
Presenter: John Sullivan
File: PPT – 40MB