Grazing Management Plan

NRCS Grazing Management Plan Natural Resources Conservation Service New Mexico August 2017 Definition: A grazing management plan is a written plan that outlines how livestock will be managed within a defined land unit to meet a desired goal. The plan summarizes the existing capacity of the land including forage production and diversity, inherent land attribute limitations, wildlife use, existing infrastructure and livestock requirements with the producer’s objectives and desired goals. The following provides a guide to items that should be included or considered in building the plan. A. Background and site information: Landowner Information: Name: Address: Location: Plan Acres History of operation: (Prior use, prior grazing strategies, livestock types, stocking rates. etc.)

of 6 Grazing Management Plan New Mexico B. Grazing Plan Goals: Note: Check mark all applicable goals then state plan of action to reach the goal.

 Example Improve or maintain desired  Reduce accelerated soil erosion and species composition and vigor of plant maintain or improve soil condition communities

By developing a rotational grazing system incorporating recovery periods for cool season species and utilization rates less than  Improve or maintain quantity and quality 50% by 2018. of food and/or cover available for wildlife  Improve or maintain quantity and quality of forage for grazing and browsing animals’ health and productivity  Manage fine fuel loads to achieve desired conditions

 Improve or maintain surface and/or subsurface water quality and quantity  Improve or maintain desired species composition and vigor of plant communities

 Improve or maintain riparian and watershed function  Other Producer Goals

C. Resource Inventory: (Existing resource conditions and concerns Soil, Water, Air, Plants, Animals)

of 6 Grazing Management Plan New Mexico D. Ecological Site or Forage Suitability Group: (Ecological site and soils map with descriptions required as attachment)

E. Existing Infrastructure such as: fences, pens, water, etc. (Ranch map required as attachment showing infrastructure, locations, pasture labels, land status. Map should be printed at proper scale with topographic background)

F. Livestock Watering Facilities by Pasture: (If more space is needed use attachments) Please provide information about each of the wells, streams and springs on your operation. Add additional sheets if needed.

Quality Reliability Availability Water Pasture Pastures Flow Pump (Excellent, (Excellent, Type (Yearlong Source Where Served Rate Type Good, Fair, Good, or Seasonal) Number Located gpm Poor) Fair, Poor)

G. Fence:

H. Other Infrastructure:

of 6 Grazing Management Plan New Mexico I. Opportunities to enhance resource conditions:

J. Forage Inventory Summary of Operation (Quantity and Quality):

K. Forage-Animal Balance Summary: (Field inventory sheets and feed and forage calculator sheets should be attached)

Pasture Name Forage Based AUM Water Budget AUM Suggested Max AUM (Lesser of Forage/Water AUM)

Note: Annual stocking rates should be monitored and adjusted based on current and desired future conditions. Stocking rates should be fine-tuned through data collection, monitoring and adaptive management throughout the year and from year to year. There is no substitute (ie. Grazing Management) for an appropriate stocking rate.

of 6 Grazing Management Plan New Mexico L. Pasture Rotation Schedule with numbers and livestock class (Required as attachment form 528-6 or equivalent).

M. Summarize livestock production goals:

N. Contingency Plan: (Wildfire, Drought, Snow, etc.)

O. Monitoring plans and annual documentation: A clear monitoring plan needs to be developed. This will include what indicators will be monitored, monitoring locations, methodology, data sheets, as well as analysis that will be completed. Key grazing sites should be identified in each pasture. Monitoring plans assist in determining whether the grazing strategy is resulting in a positive or upward trend and is meeting objectives. A good rule of thumb is take half leave half. There may be instances where objectives require lower or higher usage rates.

Documentation will include: 1. 528-4 Range Trend form or other equivalent trend monitoring form 2. Forage utilization data by pasture recorded on 528-5 or equivalent (Suggested use below 50% of annual growth on rangeland) 3. Actual pasture grazed dates and stocking levels (Suggest record on 528-6 or equivalent)

of 6 Grazing Management Plan New Mexico Other documentation can include: Rangeland Health Worksheet 1. Vegetation production data 2. Livestock and Grazing Record books 3. Photo Points 4. Monitoring Cages 5. Line-Point Intercept transects

Outline Monitoring Plan:

P. Yearly evaluation of the grazing management plan: Document observations, data, and modifications needed in the plan to make adjustments to meet the operator’s objectives.

Q. Revise plan: Edit plan and begin implementing new plan.

Other comments:

______Planner Signature Date

______Producer Signature Date

Certification of practice completion will be documented on 528 (8) form: Prescribed Grazing Certification Form.

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