Grazing distribution has long been a challenge for cattle producers. Even with a correct stocking rate, cattle can “over-use” or “over-graze” some areas of pasture or rangeland. To combat unbalanced grazing, producers have historically employed different management methods to encourage cattle to graze more evenly (think fencing and water infrastructure or mineral and salt).
Researchers at the Oklahoma State Natural Resource Ecology and Management Department are looking at Patch Burning as a tool in the toolbox to adjust grazing distribution. Patch burning is a technique that burns a portion of a grazing area and allows cattle and other livestock to select what forage they prefer from the burned or unburned areas. In a study conducted by Kathrine Haile, Dr. Laura Goodman and others at the Klemme Research Station south of Clinton, patch burning was used to target under grazed areas of a pasture and adjust grazing distribution.
In this study, GPS collars were put on cattle and grazing distribution was analyzed in three pastures (100-200 acres each) for the first year without fire. This GPS data was then utilized to identify portions of the pasture that cattle were avoiding. Four 4 areas were then selected from these under-grazed areas for patch burning in March (2) and June (2). Forage samples were collected and analyzed every two months comparing quality of burned and unburned areas. The results of this study didn’t find a difference in the season of burn (March vs. June), but overall forage consistently remained high quality (8-15% Crude Protein) for about 5 months. By using fire, grazing distribution was totally changed in these pastures and the burned patches enhanced forage quality during times of the year when quality is typically low. Using GPS tracking, they identified that the previously avoided areas were now targeted by the cattle, allowing previously over-grazed areas to recover.
Due to many natural disasters over the years, fire isn’t always thought about in the best light. However, good research shows the benefits of a well-planned prescribed burn for plant quality, species diversification, wildlife, and livestock production. If you would like more information about patch burn grazing, check out resources at OSU Natural Resources Extension or find them on Facebook @OklahomaLands.
