Disseminating Research-based Information to Improve Great Basin Rangelands

View the project final report

• 2007 annual report

Commodities

• Additional Plants: native plants

Practices

• Animal Production: pasture renovation, range improvement
• Education and Training: technical assistance, demonstration, extension
• Natural Resources/Environment: biodiversity, habitat enhancement, soil stabilization, wildlife
• Pest Management: chemical control, competition, field monitoring/scouting, physical control, weed ecology
• Production Systems: agroecosystems
• Sustainable Communities: sustainability measures

The objective of this project is to disseminate research-based information to agricultural professionals (primarily Extension agents and NRCS range conservation specialists) so that they can assist livestock producers in maintaining or improving forage for domestic livestock on Great Basin rangelands with reduced uncertainty and risk. This will be accomplished through production and delivery of a DVD for distribution to outreach professionals that demonstrates for agricultural producers the use and short-term outcomes of land management treatments (prescribed fire, mechanical thinning, and herbicide application) for restoring degraded sagebrush-bunchgrass sites. Initial work will begin in Summer 2006 by shooting footage at sites in Utah and Nevada where a research and demonstration project is planned for Fall 2006 when implementation of mowing, burning, and herbicide treatments will occur. Short-term: The DVD will increase knowledge and awareness of ways to maintain or improve Great Basin rangelands among agency personnel and other agricultural professionals. This project will reduce risk and uncertainty in choosing land management treatments for Great Basin rangelands. Medium-term: This project will increase the ability for the target audience to provide livestock producers with information to improve Great Basin rangelands. The target audience will have better skills to work with livestock producers to implement management treatments to maintain or improve the forage base for livestock while improving overall ecosystem health. Long-term: The target audience will share information with livestock producers and develop plans to improve Great Basin rangelands.

Short-term: The DVD will increase knowledge and awareness of ways to maintain or improve Great Basin rangelands among agency personnel and other agricultural professionals. This project will reduce risk and uncertainty in choosing land management treatments for Great Basin rangelands. Medium-term: This project will increase the ability for the target audience to provide livestock producers with information to improve Great Basin rangelands. The target audience will have better skills to work with livestock producers to implement management treatments to maintain or improve the forage base for livestock while improving overall ecosystem health. Long-term: The target audience will share information with livestock producers and develop plans to improve Great Basin rangelands.