November 2, 2012

Sage Grouse on the Sun Ranch

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Dennis Sun of the Sun Ranch outside Casper Wyoming works to improve sage grouse habitat on his ranch through the Natural Resources Conservation Service Sage Grouse Initiative

Working with other stakeholders is the norm for the Sun Ranch west of Casper, Wyo. Like any ranching operation, it is multi-faceted and complex at times. A series of cause and effects reflect on the landscape showing change regularly, some good and some bad. It is important for Dennis Sun, owner of the Sun Ranch and publisher/owner of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup, to make daily strides toward a healthier ranching operation.

One of the components to the Sun ranch’s stewardship is ensuring healthy habitat for sage grouse. The sage-grouse is a ground-dwelling bird native to the sagebrush ecosystem of the American West. It has experienced a significant decline in population over several decades.

Approximately 40 percent of all sage-grouse are found in Wyoming and The Sage-Grouse Initiative (SGI), spearheaded by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), is proactively addressing habitat loss and working to keep populations healthy enough to avoid an Endangered Species Act listing. Sun implemented the SGI on his ranch and has already been successful in raising bird populations. The Sun Ranch houses a large wintering area for over 600 sage grouse, as well as annual habitat that is extremely important to the overall population of this species. For example, over 300 birds have been counted on one sage-grouse lek (breeding areas).

Scientific studies and Master’s senior thesis projects conducted by Cheryl Mandich, who holds a Master of Science in zoology and physiology, began on the Sun Ranch. In recent years, the sage-grouse population has increased, but the numbers are still low compared to 2005. Like many species, environmental factors, such as habitat and weather, can affect populations. According to Mandich, the estimates of sage-grouse annual survival range from 35-85 percent. A main concern is loss of sagebrush habitat and protection that the birds rely on for survival, including survival from predators like coyotes, fox, ravens and raptors.

Findings from Mandrich’s thesis project and help through the SGI may further benefit the sage-grouse population. Grazing management practices have benefited the population by leaving more sagebrush behind. Retired NRCS State Range Conservationist Everet Bainter had previously developed intensive monitoring programs for the Sun Ranch. Monitoring provided a detailed inventory of habitat and grouse, inventory of ecological sites, potential growth of plant diversity and inventory of sagebrush height and density. Through SGI and Mandich’s work, Sun has implemented additional practices to reach higher sage-grouse numbers.

Dennis Sun of the Sun Ranch outside Casper Wyoming works to improve sage grouse habitat on his ranch through the Natural Resources Conservation Service Sage Grouse Initiative

Traveling out to the Sun Ranch, miles and miles of sagebrush stretch out to the horizon leaving the city of Casper far behind. Joint efforts from agencies such as NRCS, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Natrona County Weed and Pest and Wyoming Game and Fish have helped Sun reach rangeland goals. Sun explained that he only made a few simple changes to become a suitable candidate for SGI, including adding fence reflectors and more escape ramps on stock tanks to help diminish the risk of bird death. In the past 10 years, the ranch has implemented numerous range improvements including five solar-powered water wells, spring development, stream bank restoration, invasive weed management and over 20 miles of new fenceline to divide large pastures for grazing management.

Sun’s future plans to improve habitat and production of his ranch consist of a series of check dams on Casper Creek that raise the water table in the riparian area and eventually lead Casper Creek to flow year around. Earlier construction of these check dams in the upper reaches of Casper Creek resulted in increased forage along the creek from 2,200 lbs of forage/acre to 5,500 lbs of forage/acre. This created more habitat and wildlife use in the area along with improved grazing.

The success of SGI is dependent on individual producers like Sun. Increased sage-grouse numbers and improved sagebrush habitat happens in the field on ranches. It is through the efforts of producers like Dennis Sun that will help prevent sage grouse from being listed under the Endangered Species Act.

From RealPartner Haley Lockwood, NRCS Wyoming Public Affairs Intern

 

September 7, 2012

Trailing to the Mountains

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The sun starts to lighten the skyline above the Wind River Mountains while the song birds can be heard singing and the warm and cool air currents can be felt as the cowboys ride across the sagebrush, BLM allotment to gather the cattle and start them marching north to summer pasture.  This is the beginning of summer in the Green River Valley.  This is the scene from the middle of June to the first part of July on the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) grazing allotments  in the Green River Valley.  The cattle are methodically gathered and put on the trail to the summer pasture in the mountains on Forest Service land or private.  The cattle are trailed anywhere from 10 miles to 70 miles depending on the summer grazing pastures.

Ranchers move their cattle to public lands allotments to graze in Western Wyoming.

Bobby Gilbank and Eddie Wardell putting cattle into Fish Creek Park.

The first Forest Service grazing permits were issued in 1906. To get a permit at this time, a rancher had to have a ranch in the area and to have used the open range in the last three years. Starting in the 1930s, the cattle were counted by the Forest Service to see how many head each rancher was putting on the Forest Service grazing allotment.

Ranchers move their cattle to public lands allotments to graze in Western Wyoming.

Bringing cattle off of the Mesa into the Hennick Draw while moving cattle to the mountains.

Starting in 1970s, more intensive grazing systems were developed, so the cattle could be grazed to benefit the grass.  Much of the land was at too high an altitude to have rest-rotation pasture systems, so deferred grazing pasture systems were developed. A deferred grazing system describes the process by which cattle enter the foothills of a pasture system in the spring and migrate to the high country and then drift down the other side to a low pasture in the fall. The following year cattle use the opposite low pasture first and out the other pasture in the fall.  This allows the grass a recovery time. A rest rotation grazing system consists of four pastures, which works by resting one pasture every year while the other three are grazed.  The rested pasture is rotated every year.

Tanner Butner and Michael Klaren doctor calves on the way to the mountains.

The 1980s saw riparian areas being part of a concerted effort to improve the stream bank life.  Beginning in the 1990s, range monitoring was done in cooperation with the ranchers, forest service range conservationists and the University of Wyoming’s county extension agent and range specialists.

Ranchers move their cattle to public lands allotments to graze in Western Wyoming.

The ranchers stop their cattle herd at the Blue Reservoir after coming off the Desert.

By the late 1990s and early 2000s, cows and the ranchers began dealing with the grizzly bears and wolves killing livestock.  It is hard to see a calf mauled and suffering or a cow bawling for her dead calf.  Some cows have been killed by the predators when protecting their young.

Ranchers move their cattle to public lands allotments to graze in Western Wyoming.

Keith Murphy moves cows up Pinon Ridge to Fish Creek Park.

The cows are monitored by a cowboy or cowboys in each pasture system.  The cattle are moved to a new pasture as the grass is used and new grass is needed.  Many of the old cows know where their favorite spots in the mountains are located, so they will grab their calf and take off to enjoy the mountain pasture.

Ranchers move their cattle to public lands allotments to graze in Western Wyoming.

Jamie Swain, Keith Murphy and Garlie Swain taking cattle into Fish Creek Park.

It is always fun to move the cows to the new pasture.  The growth of the calves can be seen.  Beautiful mountain scenery, fresh crisp mountain air, beautiful wildflowers, cow and calf elk mingling with the cows, moose along the river bottom in the willows, deer and antelope throughout the pasture are seen during the cow drive.

Ranchers move their cattle to public lands allotments to graze in Western Wyoming.

Albert Sommers brings cattle out of the Hennick Draw.

Some ranchers have private allotments in the foothills and haul or drive their cattle to and from the private pasture.  This is for another story.

Ranchers move their cattle to public lands allotments to graze in Western Wyoming.

Sprout and Eddie Wardell move cows into Fish Creek Park.

From RealRancher Jonita Sommers, Sommers Ranch – Pinedale, Wyo.

 

July 1, 2011

Spring Pasture

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Editors Note: It’s already July and after a slow, cold, wet start, we’re finally in the swing of summer in Wyoming.  We neglected to put this post up in a more timely manner, but couldn’t let it wait until next year to share Jonita’s wonderful account of spring pasture and some history of grazing!
 

The grass is green. The birds are back in the Green River Valley. The antelope have moved north. The cows are calving or have calved. The air is warmer and May flowers are blooming. All of these events are signs of spring and the time when cattle are turned out on the open range.  May 1 to June 1 is when ranchers in this area put their cattle from the hay meadows to the BLM sagebrush lands for spring pasture.  For days, the old cow has been watching to see if the gate to the spring range is open.  As the old cow sees the open gate to the sagebrush range, she charges through the gate heading for her favorite spot in the allotment (land individuals contract for a grazing lease through government agencies).  The calves have to hustle to stay with their mothers.  Spring has officially started.

RealRancher Jonita Sommers talks about spring time in the Sublette County area

Taking the Price-Sommers Yearlings to spring pasture on the Mesa

When the Green River Valley was settled in the 1800s and early 1900s, an individual would file on land through a homestead entry of 160 acres or a desert land entry of 320 acres.  This was not enough land to run a herd of cattle large enough to make a living.  Depending on the amount of moisture, it takes 3-33 acres per animal unit per month (AUM) to provide enough forage to feed one cow in the basin and foothills.  In the foothills and mountains, it takes 1-6 acres per month to take care of one cow.

The history of grazing on private and federal land in Wyoming

Yearlings trailing down Soaphole Draw on the Mesa.

Before the Equalizer Winter of 1889-90, the ranchers ran their cattle on federal land year round without feeding hay.  After that winter killed nearly 90% of the cattle, the ranchers started growing hay crops during the summer to feed in the winter.  The cattle were still run on federal land from spring through fall.  At this time, the federal government did not control or monitor the cattle grazing on federal land.  In 1906, the Forest Service issued the first grazing permits on federal land.  The land that is now under the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) didn’t see any control over the use of cattle until 1937 when the Taylor Grazing Act of 1934 brought about grazing permits being issued on the rest of the federal land.

Rancher talks about grazing on private, state and federal lands with their cattle

Price-Sommers Yearlings on top of Mesa

The Grazing Service, and later the BLM, starting in 1946, brought about management plans, water development and grazing allotments as the years progressed.  Reservoirs were built and wells were drilled for windmills and later propane engines to pump water.  The water development not only benefited the cattle, allowing grazing on land previously not accessible because of lack of water, it also helped the wildlife immensely by giving animals such as antelope and sage grouse watering holes.  The grazing allotments made it possible for cattle to be managed in a manner that would not hurt the vegetation.  Since the 1990s, ranchers have done range monitoring with the BLM range conservationist, who had been doing range monitoring for years.

Some ranchers have private allotments in the foothills and haul or drive their cattle to and from the private pasture.  This is for another story.

From RealRancher Jonita Sommers – Pinedale, Wyo.

 

August 10, 2010

Spying on grass (a.k.a. monitoring)

Posted by RealRanchers under Environmental Stewardship, Public Lands, Real Ranching | Tags: , , , , , , , , , |
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Sunday morning my family and I went out and had a fun time picking wild flowers and monitoring our federal spring grazing land.  We drove on the Oregon Trail trying to imagine our ancestors walking and riding in a covered wagon across this sagebrush flat with very little supplies. Our ancestors came here on the Oregon Trail looking for land to settle which is what makes our ranch what it is today. As the 5th generation on this ranch my husband and I hope to preserve and carry on that dream to future generations.

Traveling down part of the Oregon Trail. (Inset) A marker for the Oregon Trail.

As federal land ranchers, we have taken a proactive role in managing our rangelands.  We work with the federal agencies to set management objectives.  We monitor our federal grazing lands to determine if we are meeting those objectives.  The monitoring can include documenting the impact our cattle have on the area. Today, many anti-grazing organizations are trying every way to stop all grazing on federal lands. Taking an active role in management helps document our stewardship and educate the anti-grazers that cattle grazing is actually a healthy and sustainable activity on federal rangelands.

RealRancher Kari's husband Cotton examines the forage with their daughter on their public grazing lands. Cattle grazing is a sustainable way to manage public lands.

Our ranch is highly dependent upon federal grazing lands and, in fact, Sublette County is nearly 80 percent federally owned.  We pay rent to the federal government to let our cattle graze these lands. Without federal land grazing, the ranches in our county would not exist (which means less food on your table).  The private property, currently hay meadows and river bottom land where cattle live during the winter months, would become subdivisions and houses.  Therefore ranchers are doing all that they can to stay in business while being stewards of the land to provide open space and wildlife habitat for everyone to enjoy.

From RealRancher Kari Bousman - Boulder, Wyo.

 

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