Limiting Gopher Deprivation By Time-Control Livestock Grazing

Limiting Gopher Deprivation By Time-Control Livestock Grazing

Summary

Pocket gophers - not just cattle - have caused loss of forage production along upland riparian areas. These rodents farm their food to select for annual weeds at the expense of grasses, trees and shrubs, simultaneously increasing erosion and adding sediment to streams. It is proposed that time-controlled grazing schedules - comparing forage on four plots with and without gophers and/or cows - will demonstrate that gopher activity is substantial and that controlled grazing with cattle can reduce gopher damage.