Have you ever heard a rancher say "Sure I raise livestock, but more importantly, I raise grass?" Forage serves as the foundation for all livestock and/or wildlife operation. The "state of health" of the range forage base directly impacts short-term cash flow and sustained ranch productivity. Therefore, it is imperative that ranch operators understand these relationships and utilize techniques that continually monitor the condition of the forage base as impacted by past grazing management decisions.

Range condition can be described as the "state of health" of the range. More specifically, range condition is an ecological measure of the current condition of the range as compared to the potential (often called "climax"). Plant species composition is the criteria used to make this determination.

Range condition is evaluated for each range site on a ranch. Range sites are those areas which have the potential for producing similar amounts and kinds of vegetation (i.e.,shallow hillside site, deep upland site, draw site, etc.). Sites are determined by climatic, soil, topographic and vegetational features. A complete listing and description of all range sites on a ranch can be obtained from the Soil Conservation Service (SCS).

Range condition is determined by comparing the present vegetation composition of a range site to the potential, as described by the SCS technical guide. For example, the predicted species composition of a desert grassland-loamy range site, at its highest ecological potential, is 90% grass, 5% woody species and 5% forbs (Table 1).

Using the technical guide description, twenty percent of the total vegetation will be a combination of sideoats grama, plains bristlegrass, cane bluestem, Arizona cottontop and green sprangletop. Ten percent will consist of a combination of bush muhly and black grama. Sand dropseed will contribute to 10% of the total plant community. The rest of the species contributing to the "climax" plant community are listed in the table.

Table 2 summarizes the actual range condition of a loamy range site on a hypothetical ranch in west Texas. Sideoats grama, plains bristlegrass and cane bluestem made up 26% of the plant community. No Arizona cottontop or green sprangletop was found. Since only 20% of this combination is present in the "climax" community (Table 1), only 20% can be counted toward the condition score in the far right column (Table 2). A total of 10% of the "climax" plant community can consist of a combination of bush muhly and black grama (Table 1). Only 3% (2% + 1%, respectively) was present, thus only 3% is counted toward the condition score (Table 2).

Creosotebush totaled 6% of the plant community. Since creosotebush is not present in the "climax" community, none can be counted toward the condition score, and a zero is entered in the far right column (Table 2).

Range condition of a site is then determined by totaling the condition scores for all species present (Table 2). The number obtained (0% to 100%) can be divided into 4 classes:

• Excellent Condition = 76 to 100% of the climax community
• Good Condition = 51 to 75% of the climax community
• Fair Condition = 26 to 50% of the climax community
• Poor Condition = 0 to 25% of the climax community

The example presented in Table 2, totaled 52%, or low-good range condition.

The terms range condition and forage condition are often used interchangeably by ranchers, although their meanings differ greatly. Range condition has been defined as the current ecological condition (as determined by species composition) of range as compared to its ecological potential. Forage condition relates to aspects such as the quantity of forage available and its nutritional qualities (protein, energy, minerals and palatability).

Range condition changes slowly over a period of years. Forage condition can change in a few days.

As range condition improves, the number of different plant species growing on a specific range site generally increases. Greater species diversity improves both the stability of the plant community over time, and the diet quantity and quality available to the grazing animal.

Overall plant production and stability of a range site generally improves as range condition improves, because shallow rooted plants (annuals or sod forming perennials) are replaced by deeper rooted, perennial bunch grasses. Associated with this species shift are better overall soil hydrologic conditions. Rainfall infiltration rates increase while evaporation and soil erosion decrease. These factors coupled with more efficient use of water within the soil profile by deeper rooted plants result in greater forage production and stability.

Improved livestock production is also generally associated with higher range condition classes. Livestock are selective grazers. At higher condition classes, grazing animals are able to select from a greater diversity of plant species, thus maintaining a more optimum plane of nutrition. Diet quality levels will also vary less from season to season and year to year as compared to lower range condition classes.

Species composition can be quickly and easily determined using the step transect method. With this sampling technique one walks in a predetermined direction, from a permanently marked location, within a range site. As he walks, he records for every other step, the species of plant closest or under the toe of his boot. A minimum of 100 plants is needed, although 500 plants would be optimum to insure accuracy. Once the desired number of plants are recorded, the percent composition for each species is calculated (i.e., 5 burrograss plants per 100 plants recorded = 5%). These percentages are then compared to the SCS technical guide for that site, and range condition determined.

Sampling should be restricted to specific range sites and not allowed to cross range site borders. When time becomes limiting, sampling should be prioritized toward those range sites receiving the most grazing pressure. Time requirements using this method are 30 minutes to two hours per site, depending on the number of plants recorded.

Since range condition changes relatively slowly, this method has no specific season when it must be conducted. However, fall is usually preferable because plants (especially grasses) are more easily identified at that time. All step transect lines should be reevaluated every two to three years.

Upward, downward or stable are terms describing range trend. Trend in condition is determined by comparing range condition at two points in time, preferably at least 3 to 5 years apart. Caution should be used when interpreting range trend. Very good or very poor precipitation years can affect species composition. Accurate precipitation records to supplement trend information will aid in its interpretation.

Step Transects

The same data collected by step transects to determine range condition, also indicate range trend. When range condition is known for 2 or more points in time (usually 3 to 5 years apart), direction of change can be determined.

Photo-Points

An inexpensive camera and a few hours of time each year provide an effective, objective measure of range trend. The first step to using photo-points is to locate the key range sites within a ranch. Within each range site, areas are selected that represent the site as a whole. The number of areas selected may be few to many depending on the size of the ranch and number of sites present.

A plot frame (at least 3 ft. by 3 ft.) is constructed from rebar or preferably PVC pipe. At each selected location, the frame is randomly placed then permanently marked by driving steel stakes at two opposite corners. Thus marked, the frame can be placed in the exact same location each year. A picture is then taken of the frame and the vegetation inside. Notes describing the vegetation within the frame and a second photograph of the general landscape around the frame will also be helpful.

One to several of these photo-points may be located on any one area. The total number should not exceed that which the manager is willing to spend the time evaluating. Photos of each plot frame should be taken on an annual basis, preferably in the fall of the year. Almost any type of camera or film can be used. Most of the time associated with this technique will be involved in traveling to and finding the photo-points.

Comparisons between two or three of the photographs and descriptions for the same frame over time provides an objective measure of change in range condition (range trend) for specific range sites and/or pastures. One day devoted to this monitoring method each year, can be one of the most effective management tools to evaluate past grazing management decisions.

Exclosures

Exclosures also provide an indication of range trend over time. The use of exclosures involves the exclusion of grazing by livestock and/or wildlife from specific areas. The differences between protected and grazed areas can then be used to make decisions concerning stocking rate and long-term range trend.

As with photo-points, the first step is to identify key range sites within the ranch. At least one exclosure should be located within each of these key sites. Exclosures can be constructed from simple materials. A few steel fence posts and wire can be used to fence off permanent areas or mobile cages can be constructed using concrete reinforcement wire. Size of the exclosures can vary from a few square feet to thousands of square feet.

Periodic examination of the differences between the exclosures and grazed areas will give gross estimates of range utilization and trend. It may be helpful to take periodic photographs of the protected and grazed areas, in combination with detailed notes, to help document change over time.

The single most important factor impacting range improvement is livestock stocking rate. Animal numbers must be balanced with forage supplies if range condition is to be maintained or improved. No grazing system or range improvement practice negates this principle. To obtain range condition improvement, any increases in forage production must precede increases in stocking rate, not visa versa.

Periodic rest from grazing is also important if range condition is to improve. This rest should be staggered at different times of the year to allow all forage species some relief from grazing pressure. To provide this periodic rest there are many grazing systems, ranging from low intensity, two pasture-one herd switchbacks to high intensity, multiple pasture-one herd short duration grazing systems. Some grazing systems will favor range improvement over individual animal performance. Others favor the opposite. In many instances the grazing system used to obtain range improvement will not be the system used to maintain the achieved level of range condition.

The species of livestock grazed (cattle, sheep or goats) also impact range improvement. Different livestock species select for different types of plants (grass, forbs or browse). To ensure optimum utilization of the total forage base, multiple species of livestock can be grazed together. The selective grazing behavior of livestock can also be used to manipulate vegetation. For example, goat numbers can be increased in relation to other species of livestock if a ranch manager wishes to favor the herbaceous component of a pasture over the woody.

There may be instances when further improvement in range condition through grazing management (proper stocking rate, species of animal grazed and pasture rest) is too slow or not possible, due to the presence of undesirable woody plants. In these cases it may be necessary to apply control methods to accelerate range improvement. Control methods may be herbicides, fire, mechanical, biological (i.e., goating) or any combination of methods. Such methods, while capable of greatly accelerating range improvement often require substantial financial investment.

Two factors greatly influence the rate at which range condition changes. The first is average annual rainfall received. In the more humid areas of the state (30 to 40 inches/year) range condition may improve from fair to good condition in 2 to 3 years with proper grazing management. In arid west Texas, with an average annual rainfall of 10 inches, that same increase may take 5 to 10 years.

Rate of change is also influenced by the present stage of range condition. Range in extremely poor condition will generally exhibit very slow improvement. This sluggish improvement may be due to woody plant invasion, a lack of seed source of desirable plants, poor soil hydrologic conditions or soil loss.

As range condition moves from poor, to fair, then good condition, the rate of improvement can be expected to increase. Improved soil hydrologic condition, and a greater seed source and vigor of desirable plants are causative factors.

As rangeland approaches excellent condition, the rate of improvement can be expected to decrease. In general, excellent condition range (especially mid- to high-excellent condition) may be difficult to maintain with grazing animals. In fact, if rangeland has suffered soil loss due to previous overuse, it may be impossible to ever reach excellent condition. Conversely, range condition will decline at a greater rate when poor management is applied to higher range condition classes. But as range condition declines toward poor condition, the grazing animal will have less and less impact on the vegetation base due to the toxicity and unpalatability of existing plants.

In general, higher levels of range condition help ensure sustained ranch productivity by reducing soil erosion, slowing the invasion of undesirable plants into pastures, maximizing water use efficiency and providing a productive and stable plant base. Conversely, for many ranchers, management to obtain excellent condition rangeland may not be a practical goal.

Range condition is an ecological measurement of potential range productivity without regard to grazing influences. The optimum range condition for profitable and sustainable livestock or wildlife grazing may differ significantly from the ecological definition of excellent condition rangeland. Optimum range condition may also differ depending on the type of livestock or wildlife enterprises used.

For example, sustained cattle productivity is generally best achieved with good to excellent condition range. Sheep and goat production generally reaches optimum levels at a lower range condition class as compared to cattle (high-fair to good). White-tailed deer production is generally best on range in fair to good condition, while the optimum range condition for bobwhite quail will vary from poor to good condition, depending on location in the state (Figure 1). Even endangered wildlife species such as the golden cheeked warbler and the black capped vireo require different range conditions for ideal production. The optimum range condition for each range site on a ranch is determined by balancing ecological with enterprise/ranch economic needs.

The best range condition is also that which is achievable. Factors such as past grazing use impact the level and rate of range condition improvement possible. If a pasture or ranch has been seriously overgrazed for a long period of time, soil loss from range sites within those pastures may restrict the maximum obtainable range condition to significantly less than excellent condition.

It is common for undesirable woody plants to invade rangeland. Woody plants often limit the level and rate of range improvement possible. Expensive inputs such as herbicides or mechanical control may be required to achieve excellent range condition. Livestock and/or wildlife grazing may not be able to financially support these inputs.

Finally, the determination of what vegetation mix constitutes excellent condition rangeland for a specific site is not without error. Potential or excellent condition for a specific site is usually determined through the evaluation of relict areas (areas with long-term protection from disturbance). How accurately these relict areas actually depict the potential for a particular site can be highly variable.

In summary, a rancher should not be unduly concerned if excellent condition rangeland is not achieved. He should become concerned if he is unable to move above poor to fair condition rangeland or if range trend shows a steady decline in range condition from its present state. Low or declining range condition equates to a loss of future sustainable production.

Table 1. Species composition from SCS Technical Guide for a Desert Grassland - Loamy Range Site.

Grasses	90%	Woody	5%	Forbs	5%
Sideoats Grama Plains Bristlegrass Cane Bluestem Arizona Cottontop Green Sprangletop	20	Hackberry Littleleaf Sumac	1	Orange Zexmenia Bush Sunflower Indianmallow	5
		Tarbush	2
		Rosenbush 4-wing Saltbush	1
Bush Muhly Black Grama	10	Vine Ephedra Woody Vines	1
Sand Dropseed	10
Tobosa	20
Perennial Threeawns	15
Vine-Mesquite Buffalograss Burrograss	15

Table 2. Illustration of information collected to determine range condition (example corresponds to Desert Grassland - Loamy Range Site).

	Number of Observations	Percent Composition	Percent Allowed	Condition Score
Grasses
Sideoats Grama	14	7%
Plains Bristle	6	3%
Cane Bluestem	32	16%
Sub-total	52	26%	20%	20%
Bush Muhly	4	2%
Black Grama	2	1%
Sub-total	6	3%	10%	3%
Sand Dropseed	42	21%	10%	10%
Perennial 3-awns	38	19%	15%	15%
Woody Plants
Hackberry	6	3%
Littleleaf Sumac	2	1%
Sub-Total	8	4%	1%	1%
Tarbush	22	11%	2%	2%
Creosotebush	12	6%	0%	0%
Forbs
Orange Zexmenia	1	.5%
Indianmallow	1	.5%
Sub-total	2	1%	5%	1%
Desert Holly	18	9%	0%	0%
Grand Total	200	100%		52%