Volume 7, Number 5 (September 1954)

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Annual Student Issue

Editorials

Research, the Key to Agricultural Progress.. . . . .C. A. Daley Keep up the Good Work!. . . Mark J. Nash, Jr. Careers in Range Management: A Symposium

Range Research as a Career.. . . .EZbert H. Reid Preparation For and Rewards in Rangeland Management

Hugh M. Bryan Developing Effective Rancher and Range Technician Working

Relationships. . . . . . . . . . Arnold Heerwagen Importance of Feed Reserves in a Texas Livestock Program

Roger Q. Landers, Jr. The Education of Range Managers. . . Arthur W. Sampson A Comparison of Grass Growth on Different Horizons of Three

Grassland Soils

Charles R. Joy, Lawrence Helwig, Theodore Reiger and Monte Supola Reseed Now?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C. V. Plath Wyoming’s Aven Nelson and Range Management. . . Alan A. Beetle Range Management in Turkey.. . . . . . . Jack R. Harlan A Study of Competition between Whitesage and Halogeton in Nevada

Richard E. Eckert, Jr. Stoloniferous Ecotypes of Hairy Grama (BouteEouu hirsuta)

Judd Morrow, Eamor C. Nord and Vernon A. Young Book Reviews

Economics of Agricultural Production and Resource Use (Heady) J. 0. Lammi Animal Breeding (Winters). . . . . . . John J. Sturm Biological Conseveration-With Particular Emphasis on Wildlife

(Black). . . . . . , . . . , . . . . . . . . Frank No11 History of Activities in the Field of Natural Resources, University of Michigan (Dana). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A. &dish Current Literature. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Arnold M. Schultz Range Student Roundup 1953-1954. . . . . . . . . . . . News and Notes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . With the Sections...

Thesis Abstracts. . . 197 198 199 201 203 205 207

212 215 218 220 223 226

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AMERICAN SOCIETY OF RANGE MANAGEMENT

The American Society of Range Management was created in 1947 to foster advancement in the science and art of grazing land management, to promote progress in the conservation and greatest sustained use of forage and soil resources, to stimulate discussion and understanding of scientific and practical range and pasture problems, to provide a medium for the exchange of ideas and facts among society members and with allied technologists, and to encourage professional improvement of its members.

Persons shall be eligible for membership who are interested in or engaged in practicing range or pasture management or animal husbandry; administering grazing lands; or teaching, or conducting research, or engaged in extension activities in range or pasture management or related subjects.

T

he JOURNAL OF RANGE MAN- AGEMENT, published bi-monthly, is the official organ of the American Society of Range Management. The Society, however, assumes no responsibility for the statements and opinions expressed by authors and contributors.

National Headquarters Location. 729 N. E. Oregon St., Portland, Oregon. Address: American Society of Range Management, Box 7745, Albina Station, Portland 12, Oregon.

Of&e, Executive Secretary. Address all inquiries and correspondence including memberships, renewals, replacements of JOURNALS, etc. to Executive Secre- tary, American Society of Range Man- agement, Box 7745, Albina Station, Portland 12, Oregon.

Change of Address. Notices of change of address should be received by the Execu- tive Secretary one month before the date of issue on which the change is to take effect. Both the new and old addresses should be sent to the Executive Secre- tary.

Dues. Membership dues for new members or for renewals should be mailed to the Executive Secretary. The dues are $6.00 per year of which $4.00 is a subscription to the JOURNAL OF RANGE MAN- AGEMENT. Dues for student members are $4.00 per year of which $3.00 is for a subscription to the JOURNAL.

Reprinting. The reprinting of articles or parts of articles published in the JOUR- NAL OF RANGE MANAGEMENT is authorized on the express condition that full credit be given the JOURNAL and the author. The date of original publica- tion must be shown with the credit line. Post Office Entry. Entered as second class mail at the post office, Portland, Oregon under the Act of March 3, 1879, as amended June 11, 1934. Additional entry at Baltimore, Maryland.

Printers. Waverly Press, Inc., Mount Royal and Guilford Avenues, Baltimore 2, Maryland.

OFFICERS OF THE SOCIETY . President:

FLOYD D. LARSON

Bureau of Land Management, Denver, Colorado

Vice-President: Executive Secretary:

A. P. ATKINS W. T. WHITE

Box 470, Guymon, Oklahoma Box 7745, Albina Station Portland 12, Oregon

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Past President: B. W. ALLRED Soil Conservation Service, Washington, D. C.

1952-54

E. J. DYKSTERHUIS HAROLD F. HEADY

Soil Conservation Service,

Lincoln 1, Nebraska School of Forestry, University of California, Berkeley 4, California 1953-55

DAVID F. COSTELLO VERNON A. YOUNG

Pacific Northwest Forest & Range Department of Range & Forestry, Experiment Station, P. 0. Box 4059

Portland 8, Oregon A & M College of Texas College Station, Texas 1954-56

MONT H. SAUNDERSON GEORGE E. WEAVER

Range Consultant, Pinecrof t Ranch, Bozeman, Montana Livermore, Colorado

JOURNAL OF RANGE MANAGEMENT

EDITOR

ROBERT A. DARROW

Department of Range & Forestry, A & M College of Texas College Station, Texas

EDITORIAL BOARD 1952-54

A. L. HAFENRICHTER W. R. HANSON

Soil Conservation Service, Eastern Rockies Forest Conserva- Portland 4, Oregon tion Board, 515 Public Bldg.,

Calgary, Alberta 1953-55

G. JOHN CHOHLIS Jos. H. ROBERTSON

Western Livestock Journal, Union

Stockyards, Los Angeles 58, Department of Range Management, California University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada

1954-56

JOHN T. CASSADY WARREN T. WHITMAN

Southern Forest Experiment

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Journal of

Volume 7 Number 5 L

Sepfemter 1954

RANGE

MANAGEMENT

Editorials

Research, the Key to Agricultural

Progress

-

I

N AUGUST of 1953 a human baby was born. This baby was important because it meant the United States had reached a population of 160 million. This event is significant because it calls attention to the rapid increase in our population. Since 1950 our population has increased by 8 million people. Such facts have an important bearing on the over-all agricultural situation in the United States, which includes the field of range management.

Keeping pace with the risihg tide of mouths to feed, the livestock population in the 17 western states of the range area has also risen; from 32,807,OOO to 46,510,OOO animals, or an increase of 41 per cent since 1928. Because of increasing pressure for more farming land, the acreage devoted to grazing has taken a sub- stantial reduction. Timber production in the forest areas, recreation, and invasion of rangelands by woody shrubs have all contributed to the decrease in available grazing land.

All these facts point to only one thing: A limit to the land frontier . that once was thought to be un- ending. With no more new areas in which to expand, the range industry must do its job of feeding an ever increasing population by other means of increasing production. Increasing efficiency will help improve on our present practices. But this is not anough. New methods and ideas are qeeded. New knowledge must be created. Research is the answer.

The science bf range management is a new one. The field of range

THE ANNUAL STUDENT ISSUE In continuation of the policy established by former editors, R. S. Campbell and J. F. Pechanec, this number of the Journal has been designated as the Annual Student Issue. Education in range management at the college level has been and continues to be an important tool in the achievement of the objectives of the Society. Under the guidance of Prof. Donald F. Hervey of the School of Forestry and Range Manage- ment of Colorado A. and M. Col- lege, an outstanding series of student articles, editorials and contributed papers has been assembled. This issue contains two student editorials, four stu- dent research articles and essays, seven thesis abstracts and three book reviews prepared by grad- uate and undergraduate students in range management depart- ments. In addition, resumes of activities and news items were submitted for the Range Student Roundup and the News and Notes Section by nine college and uni- versity departments.

A series of three articles on Careers in Range Management and the excellent perspective and survey of education of range managers by Prof. A. W. Sampson focus attention on our educational system and its opportunities for service.

197

research is wide open! There are many topics that need to be ex- amined. Information is needed on nutritive values of native plants; on the common use of range; intensity-of-use studies are needed ; grazing systems are not well understood; livestock-big game problems exist; and control of noxious and poisonous plants is becoming of increasing importance, to name just a few of the relatively unexplored fields.

More research, both basic and applied, is needed in the whole field of agriculture, with emphasis on the basic type. Basic research must come before applied research can hope to accomplish its ends. Basic knowledge often must precede ap- plications by a considerable time margin. For instance, Mendel discovered the basic facts on plant genetics in the 19th century. Yet it was more than 60 years later that hybrid corn became a reality. It took only about 10 years for the practice of growing hybrid corn to spread over the state of Iowa, once the basic research opened up new possibilities and applied research had perfected the techniques for the actual operator to follow.

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198

Industry in the United States plows back into research an average of 3 per cent of its gross income, which in 1946 amounted to $500, 000,000. The gross income in the U.S. from agricultural products in 1946 amounted to approximately 25 billion dollars. All the state agricultural experiment stations in 1953 spent about $73,500,000. The USDA contribution is not included in this figure, however. Of the 73.5 million dollars, about 62 million was appropriated funds of the taxpayers, which brings up an important point concerning agricultural research.

One of the chief reasons that so

EDITORIALS

much of the research done in state experiment stations is of an applied nature is because the funds for such studies do come from the taxpayers. The taxpayers insist on seeing some results come from the expenditure of their hard-earned dollars. The lay- man is very likely to frown on a bold basic research plan. He thinks a fundamental research study leads nowhere, and is merely a way of letting the educated men of science do something they want to do. Any project that is undertaken must result in a profit in dollars and cents or else what is the use of under- taking the study in the first place. Such attitudes are short-sighted and

make it difficult to explore and ferret out nature’s secrets. But these secrets must be discovered in order to develop new methods and techniques which result in greater food production; be it in Iowa’s corn industry or range forage production in the Western United States. Basic knowledge must be built up to make progress in food production in the future; not just tomorrow or next year, but perhaps 50 or 100 years from now as was the case of Mendel and the hybrid corn discovery.-C. A. Daley, Student, Range Management Department, Montana State College, Bozeman, Montana.

Keep

up

the

Good Work

0

NE of the outstanding events at the Seventh Annual Meet- ing of the American Society of Range Management held in Omaha, Nebraska, this year was the Range Plant Identification Contest. The contest was based upon a checklist compiled from plant lists sent in by colleges entering teams. The lists were edited, and a master list was prepared giving the scientific name of the plant, the origin (native or introduced), the growth habits (annual or perennial), season of growth and forage value. This master list served as a guide. to the contestants in their preparation for the contest. This year the contest consisted of identifying fifty

mounted specimens selected from the master list. Taking top honors was Colorado A. &. M. College with Texas A. &. M. College a close second. Montana State College took third place honors.

This contest greatly stimulated interest in the Society and encour- aged student participation in the Annual Meeting. It provided an opportunity for students to attend the meeting who otherwise would be unable to attend. Furthermore competition between range management students increases interest in acquiring a sound knowledge of range plants, one of the most important phases of range management.

Perhaps the most important advantage to the student range manager, however, is that through contact with the Society he can broaden his horizons by learning what range men outside his native state are doing and by meeting men engaged in all phases of range management and soil conservation.

It is my sincere hope that these contests will be continued in the future with even more participation than there has been in the past, because student participation in the activities of the Society is vital, both to the student and to the Society. So I say again-keep up the good work!--Ma& J. Nash, Jr., Student, Department of Range & Forestry, Texas A. & M. College, College Station, Texas.

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198

Industry in the United States plows back into research an average of 3 per cent of its gross income, which in 1946 amounted to $500, 000,000. The gross income in the U.S. from agricultural products in 1946 amounted to approximately 25 billion dollars. All the state agricultural experiment stations in 1953 spent about $73,500,000. The USDA contribution is not included in this figure, however. Of the 73.5 million dollars, about 62 million was appropriated funds of the taxpayers, which brings up an important point concerning agricultural research.

One of the chief reasons that so

EDITORIALS

much of the research done in state experiment stations is of an applied nature is because the funds for such studies do come from the taxpayers. The taxpayers insist on seeing some results come from the expenditure of their hard-earned dollars. The lay- man is very likely to frown on a bold basic research plan. He thinks a fundamental research study leads nowhere, and is merely a way of letting the educated men of science do something they want to do. Any project that is undertaken must result in a profit in dollars and cents or else what is the use of under- taking the study in the first place. Such attitudes are short-sighted and

make it difficult to explore and ferret out nature’s secrets. But these secrets must be discovered in order to develop new methods and techniques which result in greater food production; be it in Iowa’s corn industry or range forage production in the Western United States. Basic knowledge must be built up to make progress in food production in the future; not just tomorrow or next year, but perhaps 50 or 100 years from now as was the case of Mendel and the hybrid corn discovery.-C. A. Daley, Student, Range Management Department, Montana State College, Bozeman, Montana.

Keep

up

the

Good Work

0

NE of the outstanding events at the Seventh Annual Meet- ing of the American Society of Range Management held in Omaha, Nebraska, this year was the Range Plant Identification Contest. The contest was based upon a checklist compiled from plant lists sent in by colleges entering teams. The lists were edited, and a master list was prepared giving the scientific name of the plant, the origin (native or introduced), the growth habits (annual or perennial), season of growth and forage value. This master list served as a guide. to the contestants in their preparation for the contest. This year the contest consisted of identifying fifty

mounted specimens selected from the master list. Taking top honors was Colorado A. &. M. College with Texas A. &. M. College a close second. Montana State College took third place honors.

This contest greatly stimulated interest in the Society and encour- aged student participation in the Annual Meeting. It provided an opportunity for students to attend the meeting who otherwise would be unable to attend. Furthermore competition between range management students increases interest in acquiring a sound knowledge of range plants, one of the most important phases of range management.

Perhaps the most important advantage to the student range manager, however, is that through contact with the Society he can broaden his horizons by learning what range men outside his native state are doing and by meeting men engaged in all phases of range management and soil conservation.

It is my sincere hope that these contests will be continued in the future with even more participation than there has been in the past, because student participation in the activities of the Society is vital, both to the student and to the Society. So I say again-keep up the good work!--Ma& J. Nash, Jr., Student, Department of Range & Forestry, Texas A. & M. College, College Station, Texas.

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Careers In Range Management:

A Symposium

Range Research as a Career

ELBERT H. REID

Chief, Division of Range Management Research, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station’

ANGE research offers possibili-

R

ties for a satisfying career to graduates in range management, especially to those who are looking forward to public service. Range management is a relatively new science and therefore offers an outstandingly fertile field for the research worker. It provides avenues for individual initiative and accomplishments. The work usually offers a favorable balance of field and office time for the average outdoor man.

However, a career in range research is not recommended for the student who looks forward to employment that promises large financial returns. While the average position will usually provide ample salary for a comfortable living for himself and his family, beyond this the researcher looks to satisfaction of accomplishment as a large part of the payment for his efforts.

Half of the land area in the .United States is range. Such a large area naturally contains many diverse conditions, from alpine to sea level and from humid forest to desert. Accordingly, range research may deal with a variety of subjects. Research on range problems has been under way for more than half a century, at first only on a very small scale. Although research in this field has been greatly increased in the last 2 or 3 decades, it is still not on a scale justified by the many diverse problems presented. At the

1 Forest Service, U. S. Department of

Agriculture, with he&qua? ters at Colorado A & M College, Fort Collins, Colorado.

present time, much of our range management is on a rule-of-thumb basis or based on only sketchy factual information. In some phases of range research the real size and importance of the problems have only become fully understood in the last few years. We now know, for example, that the presence of low-value shrubs on about one- fourth of our ranges results in the production of less forage than the ranges are capable of producing. Full realization of this and the

CAREERS IN RANGE MANAGEMENT A SYMPOSIUM

Three outstanding range men were asked to prepare articles which would picture to the prospec- tive range man the life which could be expected in such fields of range management as: (1) range research, (2) administra- tion of federal range lands, and (3) advising ranchers on range problems. The authors of the following articles have indicated the preparation which students should make for each of the three careers in range management. They have very interestingly pre- sented their ideas on “what it takes” for success in each of these careers. And for either prospec- tive range men or the “old-timers,” there is some interesting philos- ophy on the rewards that can be expected by one who devotes his life to the field of range manage- ment.

initiation of research to develop methods of recovering this unused productivity and put it to useful purposes is relatively new. Range reseeding, range fertilization and general range management are in much the same stage of development. Improvement of the range resource and its maintenance under maximum use for forage and livestock production and for watershed management has become an important part of our rural economy. Its importance can be expected to increase, and the range research worker must supply the tools.

In spite of the large and complex field presented, possibilities for employment are relatively limited at the present time. Most range research workers are employed by the Federal and State Governments, which includes State agricultural experiment stations. Private employment, while on the increase, is primarily in closely related fields and has remained low in comparison to the total value of the resource. The Forest Service and the Agricul- tural Research Service of the U. S. Department of Agriculture employ the greatest number. Some are employed by the Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Indian Affairs and other Federal agencies. Many State agricultural experiment stations employ workers in this field. However, it is probably safe to say that there are no more than 200 men employed in the range- research field in the United States today.

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200 ELBERT H. REID

general range management, range reseeding, noxious plant control, range land use, relationships such as exist between production of livestock, water, timber and wildlife. Each of these phases requires a somewhat different specialized training and in the past workers in these fields have tended to specialize somewhat, although this tendency has not been universal. For example, range reseeding is closely allied to agronomy whereas range-timber relationships are more closely allied to forestry. Noxious plant control requires a somewhat greater knowledge of chemistry than some of the other phases. Also general range management requires a more general overall training with more emphasis on ecology and animal husbandry. Obviously a student cannot become a specialist in all phases. A rather general schooling in a wide range of subjects is to be recommended, especially in the undergraduate years.

A good foundation in the basic sciences and an ability to write well are essential. Basic courses should include botany (general botany, taxonomy and plant physiology), ecology, general zoology, geology, chemistry (general elementary, quantitative and organic), mathematics (algebra, trigonometry and statistical analysis), soils, plane surveying, economics and English

(grammar, technical writing and public speaking). A successful range researcher has said that logic and rhetoric are highly important.

Public speaking is desirable because a research worker is often called on to publicly explain results of his research, both to technicians as well as others who may not be as well acquainted with range management problems and techniques.

The student wishing to enter the field might select range management as one of his major fields, and forestry, agronomy, animal husbandry, wildlife management, watershed management or soils as a second.

With the exception of range management, the selection of major or minor fields depends a great deal upon the individual student’s particular interests.

Because most range research positions are with Federal and State agencies, the student should have in mind the requirements of Civil Service examinations or other requirements that he will be expected to meet before being employed. For this reason, in addition to specializing in his particular field of interest the student should make sure that his college courses prepare him to meet these requirements.

Graduate study is becoming more and more essential to advancement in any field. Range research is no exception and it is likely to become more important. The proportion of top men in the field of range research without advanced degrees can be expected to decrease in the future. Whether the advanced degree is obtained before securing employment or after employment is im- material because research agencies usually encourage further schooling and will give an employee leave of absence to obtain an advanced degree in his field. In some cases there are specific advantages to an employee taking advanced study after he has been on the job one or more years and knows what courses of study will most nearly fit his needs.

Summer employment as a field assistant in range research or in technical phases of range administration is helpful to a new employee. Proficiency in experimental techniques is often attained through such employment. This is helpful in bringing about rapid adjustments to the requirements of the position. However, such employment, though desirable, is not essential. An additional value from a different view- point is that summer employment often brings the student into contact with a future employer.

It would be difficult to list the

personality traits that make a good range research worker because people with many different personali- ties have been successful in this field. However, there are a few that seem necessary. First is integ- rity. Research results in range, as in other fields of research, must be reported in a factual manner if they are to contribute to knowledge. Research results are often new ideas or procedures and may be met with skepticism or disbelief by many colleagues and range users. Thus the necessity for sound, factual reporting.

A successful researcher must be objective and have an open mind to new ideas and to suggestions of fellow workers. He should be able to listen to new ideas, evaluate them and adapt them to his own problems where they apply. In addition he should have a natural curiosity and the ability to develop new ideas that might apply not only to his own problem but to those of his colleagues.

Many research projects are conducted cooperatively by a team of workers or by a team of agencies working together. This makes a cooperative attitude an important trait of the successful employee.

Self-reliance is another quality desirable in a range research specialist. Range people are put on their own perhaps as much as any other group of research people. Employees are often assigned problems that are theirs alone to conduct, analyze and report the results. To do this successfully will require much individual initiative.

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Symposium: CAREERS IN RANGE MANAGEMENT 201

tinct disadvantage to other workers in his field.

Lastly and perhaps most important is the need of the range research worker to be able to carry a project through to completion. Results of well-conducted research are of no use unless they are made available to other research workers, technicians and range users. Report writing is often the least interesting phase of research, and self discipline is essential to get it done. However, satisfaction derived from completed research projects and recognition by fellow workers in the field are some of the very important rewards of the research man. Recognition is not earned by merely working on an experiment but by completing research projects and publishing worthwhile results in a manner that is understandable to those who need the information for their liveli- hood.

As previously mentioned, most graduates in range management obtain employment in the field of range research with Federal and State agencies, and therefore are recruited through Civil Service examinations. This would seem to restrict the possibility of a graduate interested in research from obtaining employment in the field in which he is interested, particularly in the Forest Service where recruits to fill positions in the administrative branch are taken from the same rosters. However, a new employee who is particularly interested in research and shows ability in that field can often transfer to research when openings become available by making his wishes known to his superior. Training for a few years in range administration has its advantage in research because it gives the researcher a knowledge of the practical field of range management.

Usually during the first few years of employment, a range research employee will work under the direct supervision of a more ex- perienced worker in the same field who will give him the training he needs for advancement. His assign- ment for the first few months will usually be as an assistant taking field data, summarizing and analyz- ing such data, and preparing pre- liminary reports on the results. However, the average researcher will have rather wide latitudes of individual initiative and can expect to soon be assigned a specific research project, the completion of which will be largely dependent upon his own ability to carry it through. Every new employee early in his career should endeavor to carry an individual study through to completion, including publica- tion. Provision is usually made for this type of project by the employer

Preparation For and Rewards in

Rangeland Management

HUGH M. BRYAN

Range Conservationist, Area 2, Bureau of Land Management, Salt Lake City, Utah

C

OLLEGE is part of the life of a land or range manager though a vast number of successful men in the field have learned the hard way. For such there have been many years of observation of relationships between plants and animals and among the members of each group. Colleges reduce the time and improve the facilities, but long study of the range is required of all. The professions of wildland managers have developed after some other professions, as the need for the knowledge and skill arose and as adequate subject matter is gathered to give the necessary education and

training. College courses have become the quick and satisfactory introduction to the profession, whether the rangeman is to specialize in animals or in the wise use of land.

uses: a. When the Air Force needed aerial gunnery ranges near Boise in World War II, it was arranged by land managers that winter range lands were provided for summer practice. Winter practice was simi- larly arranged over forested areas where the weather assisted in vacating the lands during the winter. b. Land above timber line may be valuable for grazing and an important storage area for winter precipitation.

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Symposium: CAREERS IN RANGE MANAGEMENT 201

tinct disadvantage to other workers in his field.

Lastly and perhaps most important is the need of the range research worker to be able to carry a project through to completion. Results of well-conducted research are of no use unless they are made available to other research workers, technicians and range users. Report writing is often the least interesting phase of research, and self discipline is essential to get it done. However, satisfaction derived from completed research projects and recognition by fellow workers in the field are some of the very important rewards of the research man. Recognition is not earned by merely working on an experiment but by completing research projects and publishing worthwhile results in a manner that is understandable to those who need the information for their liveli- hood.

As previously mentioned, most graduates in range management obtain employment in the field of range research with Federal and State agencies, and therefore are recruited through Civil Service examinations. This would seem to restrict the possibility of a graduate interested in research from obtaining employment in the field in which he is interested, particularly in the Forest Service where recruits to fill positions in the administrative branch are taken from the same rosters. However, a new employee who is particularly interested in research and shows ability in that field can often transfer to research when openings become available by making his wishes known to his superior. Training for a few years in range administration has its advantage in research because it gives the researcher a knowledge of the practical field of range management.

Usually during the first few years of employment, a range research employee will work under the direct supervision of a more ex- perienced worker in the same field who will give him the training he needs for advancement. His assign- ment for the first few months will usually be as an assistant taking field data, summarizing and analyz- ing such data, and preparing pre- liminary reports on the results. However, the average researcher will have rather wide latitudes of individual initiative and can expect to soon be assigned a specific research project, the completion of which will be largely dependent upon his own ability to carry it through. Every new employee early in his career should endeavor to carry an individual study through to completion, including publica- tion. Provision is usually made for this type of project by the employer

Preparation For and Rewards in

Rangeland Management

HUGH M. BRYAN

Range Conservationist, Area 2, Bureau of Land Management, Salt Lake City, Utah

C

OLLEGE is part of the life of a land or range manager though a vast number of successful men in the field have learned the hard way. For such there have been many years of observation of relationships between plants and animals and among the members of each group. Colleges reduce the time and improve the facilities, but long study of the range is required of all. The professions of wildland managers have developed after some other professions, as the need for the knowledge and skill arose and as adequate subject matter is gathered to give the necessary education and

training. College courses have become the quick and satisfactory introduction to the profession, whether the rangeman is to specialize in animals or in the wise use of land.

uses: a. When the Air Force needed aerial gunnery ranges near Boise in World War II, it was arranged by land managers that winter range lands were provided for summer practice. Winter practice was simi- larly arranged over forested areas where the weather assisted in vacating the lands during the winter. b. Land above timber line may be valuable for grazing and an important storage area for winter precipitation.

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202 HUGH M. BRYAN

wildland management courses. The application constitutes the art or technique of land management.

In range management schools, mathematics, physics, chemistry and soils should be included in basic preparation, either in high school or at the lower division levels. A better understanding of soils is being gained. There are means to do something to correct deficiencies even in range lands. Full college courses in all these subjects appear out of the question so that adjustment of college courses to high school preparation should be arranged in the case of each student.

More emphasis could well be placed on systematic botany and botany in general. Young technicians may be employed at some distances from their colleges and may have very limited knowledge of the vegetations which they en- counter in their work. Only a few can use taxonomic’ training to become acquainted with it. The men who know the plant families and their characteristics have means to learn and better appreciate range vegetation. It is also necessary to have full understanding of plant reproduction and growth and the general food value and deficiencies of plant production. On the other hand, grazing animals are the end product of range. Full knowledge of them starts with zoology and culmi- nates in animal husbandry. Nutri- tion is more important to range management than breeds and breeding, which are a chief concern ‘of the industry.

Language is necessary in dealings concerning the range and its people. The conservation program is a long- range affair which requires a written record. Use of English, spoken and written, is important to range men. It is easier to pick up the glossary of cow and sheep camps than to learn to write a report, make a talk to fellow range men, or adequately fill out a Form 57.

Now come the subjects which are taught by the faculties in range

management. Their contribution should be governed by the need of the students. Undergraduates bring varied backgrounds to college. It is incumbent on the college to produce competent range men from students with varied training and of various talents, although there are certain limitations to the teaching of an outdoor subject in the classroom. The courses should include orienta- tion in range management to balance men of different backgrounds, followed by emphasis on important range matters to which an introduction has already been made in the basic or introductory courses.

In certain cases the range management courses appear to students to be all that matter. Many have not been convinced that the profession of range management is a superstructure on pure science. They have thought that required sciences and English courses are necessary hurdles to be passed over with as little effort as the crack hurdler shows in covering 10 hurdles in 110 yards.

The field training at most colleges offers an opportunity to give young men the necessary training in observation and techniques which are not possible on the campus. The camp life tests the student on whether he will enjoy the rigors of an outdoor life and the isolation of far away places. In a field camp, time is so precious that there is small chance for its loss on the hobbies of professors and the subject matter of the theses of the range management instructors. The student should learn to observe, choose and take part in operations for the good of the range. He should learn simple surveying and mapping. If he does that, when he takes any position he will be ready to contribute immediately rather than require a long apprentice period.

Range management is becoming more complex all the time. Formerly a little knowledge gave a good head start. Time was spent in adjusting viewpoints to that of the rancher.

Now the stockman is apt to speak of range plants by their scientific names, guide his breeding program according to the latest bulletin and calculate AUMs by the ages of his animals.

It has not been determined after many years consideration, that any certain physical traits are required of range managers. The short and tall, the lean and well-fed, seem to be equally qualified to excel1 in the profession.

It is more important that the new range man should ride a horse as well as he drives an automobile, that he should be able to walk and take care of himself in the country. More important still are attributes of mind and spirit. He should be alert, friendly, inquiring, industrious and fair in dealings with Mother Nature and his fellowmen.

If, then, the educational require- ment of a candidate for range management work is so high, his training so strenuous and his personal attributes so exacting, what has the profession to offer the exceptional young man who may gain admit- tance to the field in any of its ramifications : public employment, education, business or ranching?

The following numbered arrange- ment of rewards is not supposed to show relative importance :

1. Further experience in making the dollar stretch further. The opening salary will not be high, perhaps similar to that of teachers, preachers and graduates in business administration. It will be below the average beginning pay of lawyers, doctors and engineers. There is a considerable waiting period for pro- motion. The “art” mentioned by the Society cannot all be learned in college though it may have been taught. The gradual introduction to higher pay and higher responsibility allows a seasoning period which is rewarding. The values dealt in by range men are great and reasonable experience will help even the best.

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Symposium: CAREERS IN RANGE MANAGEMENT ₂₀₃

for range men. In the days when No other calling gives greater wildlife and fellow range men to United States and world lands opportunity to live in the country maintain interest.

seemed measureless, no one cared where one may enjoy sun and dust, 6. There are hard work and much what happened to land. Now rain and mud, heat and cold. The technical problems to tire the body in the days of the Neo-Malthusians rangeman is out where hunting and and inspire the mind.

there is constant reminder that only fishing are at their best. The record of the range people is by good land usage can current liv- 4. There is more liberty on the a substantiation of the rewards. ing standards be maintained and range than elsewhere. There is room They rarely have left the range for future population increases be sus- to move about. There is a minimum other forms of endeavor. They are tained. The prominence of the work of people and duty is often the only generally ‘rewarded adequately,

is growing constantly. boss. early or late, with local esteem and

3. The great outdoors beckons. 5. There are horses, cattle, sheep, some worldly goods.

Developing Effective Rancher and

Technician Working Relationships

Range

ARNOLD HEERWAGEN

Range Conseruationist, Southern Plains, U. 23. Soil Con- servation Service

M

ANY range management graduates employed by governmental land-use agencies during the 1930 period were initially assigned to range survey crews or to positions concerned principally with the application of various range improvement practices such as range reseeding. Such employees generally were not required to work directly with ranchers on the strictly management phases of their operations.

More recently, an increasing number of range graduates are being employed in positions that require them to work closely with ranchers in developing technically sound and practical range management and improvement plans geared to the needs of individual ranching units. Experience indicates that such plans, to be effective, must be prepared with the full participation and concurrence of the rancher. The rancher and range technician pool their knowledge and experience to develop and carry out management plans which effectively corre- late basic range management principles and practical ranch operation methods.

No range technician in this category can be expert in all of the detailed phases of the various plant and animal sciences involved in a complete ranch enterprise. Of necessity, he must be a general practi- tioner rather than a detailed subject matter specialist. He should be well grounded in basic range management principles and practices and in range ecology. He should have a good working knowledge of range livestock management practices and of ranch organization and operation methods.

It is only natural that some range technicians, newly employed in this type of work, are concerned about their ability to contact and establish satisfactory working relationships with individual ranchers. Some feel that the average rancher will think of them as too young and inexperi- enced for this type of work. Others feel that unless they can con- vincingly talk, dress and act like bona fide cowboys, they won’t “fit in” with ranchers. To truly act and feel at home in ranching circles is certainly a desirable attribute, but, in itself, is not the only or final

criterion of a successful range technician.

It is not possible to draw up exacting specifications for a range technician who is to work directly with ranchers. Because of wide variations in individual personali- ties, what may be an attribute in one individual could conceivably be a detriment in another. However, field experience indicates certain qualifications that are desirable.

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Symposium: CAREERS IN RANGE MANAGEMENT ₂₀₃

for range men. In the days when No other calling gives greater wildlife and fellow range men to United States and world lands opportunity to live in the country maintain interest.

seemed measureless, no one cared where one may enjoy sun and dust, 6. There are hard work and much what happened to land. Now rain and mud, heat and cold. The technical problems to tire the body in the days of the Neo-Malthusians rangeman is out where hunting and and inspire the mind.

there is constant reminder that only fishing are at their best. The record of the range people is by good land usage can current liv- 4. There is more liberty on the a substantiation of the rewards. ing standards be maintained and range than elsewhere. There is room They rarely have left the range for future population increases be sus- to move about. There is a minimum other forms of endeavor. They are tained. The prominence of the work of people and duty is often the only generally ‘rewarded adequately,

is growing constantly. boss. early or late, with local esteem and

3. The great outdoors beckons. 5. There are horses, cattle, sheep, some worldly goods.

Developing Effective Rancher and

Technician Working Relationships

Range

ARNOLD HEERWAGEN

Range Conseruationist, Southern Plains, U. 23. Soil Con- servation Service

M

ANY range management graduates employed by governmental land-use agencies during the 1930 period were initially assigned to range survey crews or to positions concerned principally with the application of various range improvement practices such as range reseeding. Such employees generally were not required to work directly with ranchers on the strictly management phases of their operations.

More recently, an increasing number of range graduates are being employed in positions that require them to work closely with ranchers in developing technically sound and practical range management and improvement plans geared to the needs of individual ranching units. Experience indicates that such plans, to be effective, must be prepared with the full participation and concurrence of the rancher. The rancher and range technician pool their knowledge and experience to develop and carry out management plans which effectively corre- late basic range management principles and practical ranch operation methods.

No range technician in this category can be expert in all of the detailed phases of the various plant and animal sciences involved in a complete ranch enterprise. Of necessity, he must be a general practi- tioner rather than a detailed subject matter specialist. He should be well grounded in basic range management principles and practices and in range ecology. He should have a good working knowledge of range livestock management practices and of ranch organization and operation methods.

It is only natural that some range technicians, newly employed in this type of work, are concerned about their ability to contact and establish satisfactory working relationships with individual ranchers. Some feel that the average rancher will think of them as too young and inexperi- enced for this type of work. Others feel that unless they can con- vincingly talk, dress and act like bona fide cowboys, they won’t “fit in” with ranchers. To truly act and feel at home in ranching circles is certainly a desirable attribute, but, in itself, is not the only or final

criterion of a successful range technician.

It is not possible to draw up exacting specifications for a range technician who is to work directly with ranchers. Because of wide variations in individual personali- ties, what may be an attribute in one individual could conceivably be a detriment in another. However, field experience indicates certain qualifications that are desirable.

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204

hopes to make sound and practical interpretations of range management principles which otherwise might seem complex and theoretical to many ranchers. Tolerance for the opinion of the rancher and consideration of his experience is defi- nitely necessary. In no sense of the \vord can successful management programs bc developed hy a one- way flow of information from technician to rancher.

An academic background of the nature provided hy recognized range managcmcnt schools and those providing closely related curricula, is of incstimablc benefit to the technician who is to work directly with ranchers on range management problems. In no manner does this imply that high calihre range t,echnicians have not been obtained or developed from other sources. A considerable number of professional range managers in this latt,er category, have developed into capable range technicians, by means of field experience and conscientious self-improvement. The so-railed minimum curricula developed hy the llmerican Societ,y of Range Management provide a well- rounded academic background for the kind of range technician herein considered. The value of obtaining a comprehensive understanding of

ARSOJ,J) HEERWAGES

hasir plant, soil and water relationships cannot he over-emphasized.

While still in school, the range management student, should utilize every opportunity to gain practical field experience. Rome schools offer valuable summer field courses. Governmental agencies frequently provide summer employment, in some cases on a student, trainee basis. Ranch experience is inval- uahle to those students without a ranch background. While raluablc experience can be gained from a variety of sources related to the field of range mansyrmcnt, the student generally mill profit moat from positions closely related to his chosen phase of range work. If possible, the type of work should be selected in whirh field experierlce is most, needed.

If, after graduation, the st,udmt is employed by governmrntal land- use agencies, he will he in & proba- tionary or training period during the first year. During this period he should attempt to secure a compre- hrnsivc understanding of the overall program of the particular agency. However, he should also make every effort to obtain maximum experience in his particular field. Consul- tation with his supervisor and training officer is essential to obtain this objective. He should not hesi-

tate to “get his feet wet” in the field of rancher-technician relationships. This is the best method of determining what he needs to do to improve his abilities along these lines. When confronted with specific problems that are new to him, a frank “I don’t know” is better than an incorrect snap judgment.

Range management and improvement plans jointly developed by ranchers and range technicians are not simply a mat,ter of routine technical procedure. Many additional factors are involved in SIIPCCSS- fnl1.y currying out such plans. Prog- ress can not be measured directly in acres, structures or cubic yards. The technician must frequently “gird his loins” to avoid diseourage- ment when all of his recommenda- tions are not immediately effertivc. Ry objective self-evaluation he should analyze and improve his nhility to present practical interpretations of range management prinriples and practices. He should make every effort to secure and utilize applicahlc quantitative data t,hat indicate the value of the con- cepts he advocates. The extent to lyhich ranchers rely on his judgment in tcrhnical problems pertaining to range management, is the measure of his success. His reward will shorn on the land.

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: I

Importance of Feed Reserves in a Texas

LiGestock Program

ROGER Q. LANDERS, JR.

Student, Department of Range and Forestry, Texas A. and M. College, College Station, Texas

Roger Q. Landers, Jr. was selected as the outstanding range management student in Texas for the school year of 1953-54 by the Texas Section of the American Society of Range Manage- ment. This award was based in part upon the merits of the following essay.

T

HE problem of a continuous supply of feed is an important factor in the operations of a range livestock program in Texas. Its importance has been overlooked in the past, but today when the demand is for greater production in order to feed the world, the regula- tion of this factor can no longer be left to chance. Concentrated planning and managing for feed reserves must be incorporated in any range livestock program for it to be a success.

In a war the amount and kind of ammunition may entirely determine the outcome of the battle, the victory belonging to the team that can keep a continuous supply line intact which keeps the ammunition flowing. This continuous supply line technique is also important in another type of battle, the battle to produce a successful range livestock program in Texas. And the “ammu-. nition” in this case is none other than the feed which must be sup- plied to the animals. This cannot be regarded as unimportant whether fighting a war or feeding a cow.

Livestock “ammunition” should be economical, have quality, have good digestibility, be readily available and palatable, but of most importance, there should be a continuous supply of it. This constant supply of feed is very often the deciding factor in making a livestock

program profitable. In battle when the supply line is broken, there is danger of great loss. It stands to reason that if the “supply line” to livestock is broken, there will likewise be a significant loss. To prevent this condition from happen- ing in the war zone, protective measures such as stockpiling the supplies in concentrated dumps and rationing the use of items are en- forced. In livestock feeding cannot this same principle be applied? Cannot a livestock operator stock- pile feedstuffs and regulate the use of them so that a continuous supply is always present?

A feed reserve is very important for a successful livestock program in Texas. A reserve must be on hand to fill in the gap when the “supply line” fails. In Texas this “supply line” is often broken by late springs, early or severe winters, and even more so by periods of drouth. Al- though man has little control over these factors, he can manage to have feed reserves through several different practices, all of which have a useful place in the range livestock program.

The important constituent of feed reserve is forage. Composing all of a range animal’s ration during the greater part of the year, forage is of primary concern when planning for a continuous supply of feed. Maurice E. Heath of the Soil Conservation Service in Forages says, “This is one of the keys to grassland-livestock management : an adequate forage reserve of from thirty to fifty per- cent of normal needs will usually bridge such emergencies as a severe winter, a late spring, a summer drouth or a partial crop failure.”

205

Forages may be reserved in the form of unused pasturage, put up as silage or cured as hay. Of these three methods, unused pasturage is by far the most important in Texas since over seventy-five per cent of the state is best adapted to livestock range and pasture land. Unused pasturage is forage which is available to the animal for grazing. The amount of unused pasturage that is present is related to the grazing pressure that has been applied. By controlling grazing the amount of unused pasturage can be controlled, depending to a certain extent upon climatic factors. It is the condition of this unused pasturage which makes the difference between a well-managed range and a poorly managed one. The most desirable condition would be to have an abundance of this readily ava,il- able forage from season to season and from year to year. Management alone can produce this condition. When Texas was first settled the problem of plenty of grass for one’s cattle was not very significant, because when the grass was removed from a range, a settler could just move west into a new area where grass was plentiful. Today the rancher cannot plan to solve his problem in this manner, he must be able to plan on continued production from the same land year after year. Management of his unused pasturage is essential.

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206 ROGER Q. LANDERS, JR.

feature is in the protection of the land from erosion. A carpet of old grass and other plant litter protects the soil and insures a more produc- tive range for the coming years. The plants will have more vigor and will be more able to furnish nutritive forage because of a larger amount of stored food in the root system.

The recent drouth throughout most of the state has shown that a strong reserve of feed is a necessity. Due to the widespread practice of overgrazing throughout Texas ranges, there was not enough reserve forage in the form of unused pasturage to carry the livestock through without great losses. Ex- pensive supplements had to be called on as well as inferior roughage- type feeds which might not have been needed if adequate forage reserves were set aside. To show very simply how a lack of range feed reserve affects the livestock industry, here is an example: during a drouth there is a reduction of readily available forage; the ranch operator overgrazes the land in order to keep from having to sell off part of the herd. However, if a feed reserve is not present and the drouth continues, the operator will be forced to sell, and there will be a large increase in numbers of livestock on the market. This increase as it affects the demand will cause the price of the animals to go down and the value of those retained to be lowered. In other words it is like this: drouth comes-range ih poor condition-no feed reserve-forced liquidation of livestock-volume on market increases-market value de- creases-livestock operator threat- ened with great loss. Had there been adequate reserves of feed on the range this condition might not have happened. Therefore it is very important for the livestock operator to -plan enough feed reserves, primarily

unused pasturage, to carry livestock over periods of demand on reserves

without having to liquidate animals at unwanted prices.

Retaining forage in the form of unused pasturage is not the only factor in solving the problem of having enough feed reserves during the year. As the growing vegetation matures, there is a drop in its nu- trient content due to the leaching effects of winds, sun and water, and there must be some other reserve available to fill in the gap. Hay is the most important roughage car- ried over from year to year. Under favorable conditions in dry, well ventilated barns, hay can be stored for several seasons without an appre- ciable lowering of feeding quality. This means it can be stored during years of crop surplus and kept on reserve until conditions arise to use

A livestock program would be greatly benefitted with adequate hay reserve, especially since winter production of feedstuffs cannot be depended upon. It is the wise operator who has a reserve of high quality hay to use when needed.

In preparing forage for storage as hay the primary concern should be to conserve the maximum quantity of dry matter and of nutrients in the crop at the least cost. New methods of haymaking that reduce labor requirements and improve the quality of the hay have come into use in the past decade and have added to the importance of hay in the feeding plan. Because it can be stored during years of crop surplus and kept on reserve until needed, hay is profitably used to supplement pasturage in a feeding program to keep the supply of feed constant. What would happen if a dairy operator did not plan for any forage reserve and a dry spell came? The resulting drop in pasture production would likewise bring about a drop in milk production. With good hay reserves, the dairy operator could keep up his milk production at a time that he needed it the most.

Another important feed reserve

that can be planned for in a range program where limited cropland is available is silage. Although silage preparation is practiced very little in range areas of the state, it should not be considered as unimportant in finding a solution to the feed reserve problem. As early as 1928 in feeding experiments in Southwest Texas, it was shown that steers fed sorghum silage as the only roughage made more economical gains than steers fed sorghum fodder. Com- parable results have been recorded many times since then; however, ranchers have been slow to accept it as a means of increasing production. Although silage preparation requires more skill and care than does hay making, it can be stored quickly and effectively. Crops can be ensiled when the weather does not permit curing them into hay.

There is usually a smaller loss of nutrients in preparing silage than in curing hay and the loss in storage is significantly smaller. There is room for much more work in this field because most of Texas’ soils in the range areas are well adapted to sorghum production, sorghums being one of the best crops for silage. Development of a silage program would afford ranch operators another good method of maintaining an effective feed reserve.