Grazing Principles
The expert team at AgNext has developed a guide for successful grazing management in Western rangelands. The seven principles (optimize stocking rate, consider distribution, prioritize ecological health, use a grazing plan, think beyond the range, practice adaptive management, and welfare begets performance) should be considered without hierarchy and should not been seen as mandatory. Some operations may benefit from utilizing all seven principles while other may utilize a few. Developed from the work of Jablonski et al. (2023), the team at AgNext have developed a number of tools for a producer to utilize in their grazing management.
The Grazing Principles Guidebook
The Grazing Principles Guidebook defines in detail each of the seven principles of successful livestock management. Within the guidebook, one can find additional information and applicable resources for each of the principles.
The Grazing Principles Checklist
Throughout the Grazing Principles Guidebook, there are recommendations for an individual to “check off” as they include the recommendations into their grazing plan.

Kevin Jablonski, Ph.D.
Project Lead

Anna Shadbolt
Grazing Management Outreach and Research Coordinator

Kim Stackhouse-Lawson, Ph.D.
Director
Reference:
Jablonski, K. E., Derner, J. D., Bailey, D. W., Davies, K. W., Meiman, P. J., Roche, L. M., Thacker, E. T., Vermeire, L. T., & Stackhouse-Lawson, K. R. (2024). Principles for successful livestock grazing management on western US rangelands. Rangelands, 46(2), 35-41. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rala.2023.11.001
Key Scientific Literature:
Ahlering, M.A., Kazanski, C., Lendrum, P.E., Borrelli, P., Burnidge, W., Clark, L., Ellis, C., Gadzia, K., Gelbard, J., Gennet, S., Goodwin, J., Herrick, J.E., Kachergis, E., Knapp, C., Labbe, N., Maczko, K., Porzig, E., Rizzo, D., Spiegal, S., Wilson, C., 2021. A Synthesis of Ranch-Level Sustainability Indicators for Land Managers and to Communicate Across the US Beef Supply Chain. Rangeland Ecology & Management 79, 217–230. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rama.2021.08.011
Allen, C.R., Angeler, D.G., Fontaine, J.J., Garmestani, A.S., Hart, N.M., Pope, K.L., Twidwell, D., 2017. Adaptive Management of Rangeland Systems, in: Briske, D.D. (Ed.), Rangeland Systems: Processes, Management and Challenges, Springer Series on Environmental Management. Springer International Publishing.
Ash, A., Smith, D., 1996. Evaluating Stocking Rate Impacts in Rangelands: Animals Don’t Practice What We Preach. Rangel. J. 18, 216. https://doi.org/10.1071/RJ9960216
ATTRA, 2017. Grazing Planning Manual and Workbook – ATTRA – Sustainable Agriculture. National Center for Appropriate Technology.
Bailey, D.W., 2005. Identification and Creation of Optimum Habitat Conditions for Livestock. Rangeland Ecology & Management 58, 109–118. https://doi.org/10.2111/03-147.1
Bailey, D.W., Trotter, M.G., Tobin, C., Thomas, M.G., 2021. Opportunities to Apply Precision Livestock Management on Rangelands. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems 5.
Bailey, D.W., Lunt, S., Lipka, A., Thomas, M.G., Medrano, J.F., Cánovas, A., Rincon, G., Stephenson, M.B., Jensen, D., 2015. Genetic Influences on Cattle Grazing Distribution: Association of Genetic Markers with Terrain Use in Cattle. Rangeland Ecology & Management 68, 142–149. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rama.2015.02.001
Bailey, D.W., Provenza, F.D., 2008. Mechanisms Determining Large-Herbivore Distribution, in: Prins, H.H.T., Langevelde, F.V. (Eds.), Resource Ecology, Wageningen UR Frontis Series. Springer Netherlands, pp. 7–28.
Pellant, M.L., Shaver, P.L., Pyke, D.A., Busby, F.E., Riegel, G., Lepak, N., Kachergis, E., Newingham, B.A., Toledo, D., 2018. Interpreting indicators of rangeland health, version 5 (No. 1734–6). U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, National Operations Center, Denver, CO.
Bestelmeyer, B.T., Duniway, M.C., James, D.K., Burkett, L.M., Havstad, K.M., Suding, K., 2013. A test of critical thresholds and their indicators in a desertification-prone ecosystem: more resilience than we thought. Ecology Letters 16, 339–345. https://doi.org/10.1111/ele.12045
Blackshaw, J.K., Blackshaw, A.W., 1994. Heat stress in cattle and the effect of shade on production and behaviour: a review. Aust. J. Exp. Agric. 34, 285–295. https://doi.org/10.1071/ea9940285
Boone, R.B., Hobbs, N.T., 2004. Lines around fragments: effects of fencing on large herbivores. African Journal of Range & Forage Science 21, 147–158. https://doi.org/10.2989/10220110409485847
Boyd, C.S., Svejcar, T.J., 2009. Managing complex problems in rangeland ecosystems. Rangeland Ecology & Management 62, 491–499. https://doi.org/10.2111/08-194.1
Brunson, M.W., Huntsinger, L., 2008. Ranching As A Conservation Strategy: Can Old Ranchers Save The New West? Rangeland Ecology & Management 61, 137–147. https://doi.org/10.2111/07-063.1
Center for Collaborative Conservation, 2023. How To [WWW Document]. Center for Collaborative Conservation. URL https://collaborativeconservation.org/resources/how-to/ (accessed 4.18.23).
DelCurto, T., Hess, B.W., Huston, J.E., Olson, K.C., 2000. Optimum supplementation strategies for beef cattle consuming low-quality roughages in the western United States. Journal of Animal Science 77, 1. https://doi.org/10.2527/jas2000.77E-Suppl1v
Derner, J.D., Augustine, D.J., 2016. Adaptive Management for Drought on Rangelands. Rangelands, Drought on Rangelands: Effects and Solutions. Rangelands 38, 211–215. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rala.2016.05.002
Derner, J.D., Budd, B., Grissom, G., Kachergis, E.J., Augustine, D.J., Wilmer, H., Scasta, J. Derek, Ritten, J.P., 2022. Adaptive grazing management in semiarid rangelands: An outcome-driven focus. Rangelands, Adaptive Monitoring to Support Adaptive Management 44, 111–118. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rala.2021.02.004
Díaz, S., Lavorel, S., McINTYRE, S., Falczuk, V., Casanoves, F., Milchunas, D.G., Skarpe, C., Rusch, G., Sternberg, M., Noy-Meir, I., Landsberg, J., Zhang, W., Clark, H., Campbell, B.D., 2007. Plant trait responses to grazing – a global synthesis. Global Change Biology 13, 313–341. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2486.2006.01288.x
Fuhlendorf, S.D., Engle, D.M., Elmore, R.D., Limb, R.F., Bidwell, T.G., 2012. Conservation of Pattern and Process: Developing an Alternative Paradigm of Rangeland Management. Rangeland Ecology & Management 65, 579–589. https://doi.org/10.2111/REM-D-11-00109.1
Fuhlendorf, S.D., Fynn, R.W.S., McGranahan, D.A., Twidwell, D., 2017. Heterogeneity as the Basis for Rangeland Management, in: Briske, D.D. (Ed.), Rangeland Systems. Springer International Publishing, Cham, pp. 169–196. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-46709-2_5
George, M., Bailey, D., Borman, M., Ganskopp, D., Surber, G., Harris, N., 2007. Factors and Practices that Influence Livestock Distribution, Rangeland Management Series. University of California, Oakland, California.
Gosnell, H., Grimm, K., Goldstein, B.E., 2020. A half century of Holistic Management: what does the evidence reveal? Agric Hum Values 37, 849–867. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10460-020-10016-w
Grandin, T., 2019. Low Stress Methods for Moving and Herding Cattle on Pastures, Paddocks, and Large Feedlot Pens [WWW Document]. URL http://grandin.com/B.Williams.html (accessed 4.18.23).
Grissom, G., Steffens, T., 2013. Case Study: Adaptive Grazing Management at Rancho Largo Cattle Company. Rangelands 35, 35–44. https://doi.org/10.2111/RANGELANDS-D-13-00015.1
Hamilton, S., Garretson-Weibel, C., Mitchell, J., Smith, M., Powell, D., Quimby, C., Fults, G., Stanley, C., Tanaka, J., Maczko, K., 2011. Sustainable Ranch Management Assessment Guidebook. University of Wyoming Cooperative Extension.
Havstad, K.M., Peters, D.P.C., Skaggs, R., Brown, J., Bestelmeyer, B., Fredrickson, E., Herrick, J., Wright, J., 2007. Ecological services to and from rangelands of the United States. Ecological Economics, Special Section – Ecosystem Services and Agriculture 64, 261–268. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2007.08.005
Herrick, J.E., Zee, J.W.V., Havstad, K.M., Burkett, L.M., Whitford, W.G., 2005. Monitoring manual for grassland, shrubland and savanna ecosystems. Monitoring manual for grassland, shrubland and savanna ecosystems. Volume I: Quick Start. Volume II: Design, supplementary methods and interpretation.
Holechek, J.L., 1988. An Approach for Setting the Stocking Rate. Rangelands 10, 10–14.
Hunt, L.P., McIvor, J.G., Grice, A.C., Bray, S.G., McIvor, J.G., Grice, A.C., Bray, S.G., 2014. Principles and guidelines for managing cattle grazing in the grazing lands of northern Australia: stocking rates, pasture resting, prescribed fire, paddock size and water points – a review. Rangel. J. 36, 105–119. https://doi.org/10.1071/RJ13070
Knapp, C.N., Fernandez-Gimenez, M.E., 2009. Knowledge in Practice: Documenting Rancher Local Knowledge in Northwest Colorado. Rangeland Ecology and Management 62, 500–509.
Knight, R.L., 2007. Ranchers as a Keystone Species in a West That Works. Rangelands 29, 4–9. https://doi.org/10.2111/1551-501X(2007)29[4:RAAKSI]2.0.CO;2
Launchbaugh, K.L., Howery, L.D., 2005. Understanding landscape use patterns of livestock as a consequence of foraging behavior. Rangeland Ecology & Management 58, 99–108. https://doi.org/10.2111/03-146.1
Launchbaugh, K., 2017. Guidelines for Setting a Proper Stocking Rate. University of Idaho.
Leroy, F., Abraini, F., Beal, T., Dominguez-Salas, P., Gregorini, P., Manzano, P., Rowntree, J., van Vliet, S., 2022. Animal board invited review: Animal source foods in healthy, sustainable, and ethical diets – An argument against drastic limitation of livestock in the food system. animal 16, 100457. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.animal.2022.100457
NOAA, 2023. Intermountain West Climate Dashboard | Western Water Assessment [WWW Document]. URL https://wwa.colorado.edu/resources/intermountain-west-climate-dashboard (accessed 4.17.23).
Provenza, F.D., Villalba, J.J., Dziba, L.E., Atwood, S.B., Banner, R.E., 2003. Linking herbivore experience, varied diets, and plant biochemical diversity. Small Ruminant Research, Advanced research on nutrition of sheep and goats, with special reference to pasture and rangeland use 49, 257–274. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0921-4488(03)00143-3
Raynor, E.J., Bruegger, R., 2020. Early Warning for Stocking Decisions in Eastern Colorado (No. 3.115). Colorado State University Extension.
Roche, L., 2016. Adaptive Rangeland Decision-Making and Coping with Drought. Sustainability 8, 1334. https://doi.org/10.3390/su8121334
Sayre, N.F., deBuys, W., Bestelmeyer, B.T., Havstad, K.M., 2012. “The range problem” after a century of rangeland science: new research themes for altered landscapes. Rangeland Ecology & Management 65, 545–552. https://doi.org/10.2111/REM-D-11-00113.1
Sayre, N.F., McAllister, R.R., Bestelmeyer, B.T., Moritz, M., Turner, M.D., 2013. Earth Stewardship of rangelands: coping with ecological, economic, and political marginality. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 11, 348–354. https://doi.org/10.1890/120333
Steffens, T., Grissom, G., Barnes, M., Provenza, F., Roath, R., 2013. Adaptive Grazing Management for Recovery: Know why you’re moving from paddock to paddock. Rangelands 35, 28–34. https://doi.org/10.2111/RANGELANDS-D-13-00018.1
Stephenson, M.B., Bailey, D.W., Bruegger, R.A., Howery, L.D., 2017. Factors Affecting the Efficacy of Low-Stress Herding and Supplement Placement to Target Cattle Grazing Locations. Rangeland Ecology & Management 70, 202–209. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rama.2016.08.007
Torell, L.A., Murugan, S., Ramirez, O.A., 2010. Economics of Flexible Versus Conservative Stocking Strategies to Manage Climate Variability Risk. Rangeland Ecology & Management 63, 415–425. https://doi.org/10.2111/REM-D-09-00131.1
USDA ARS, 2023. Rangeland Analysis Platform [WWW Document]. Rangeland Analysis Platform. URL https://rangelands.app/ (accessed 4.17.23).
USDA-ARS, USDA NRCS, NMSU, 2023. Ecological site descriptions [WWW Document]. URL https://edit.jornada.nmsu.edu/catalogs/esd (accessed 4.18.23).
Wagner, J.J., Engle, T.E., 2021. Invited Review: Water consumption, and drinking behavior of beef cattle, and effects of water quality. Applied Animal Science 37, 418–435. https://doi.org/10.15232/aas.2021-02136
Western SARE, 2017. Rangeland Management Strategies. USDA.
Williams, B.K., Szaro, R.C., Shapiro, C.D., 2009. Adaptive management: The U.S. Department of the Interior technical guide (Report). Washington, D.C.
Wilmer, H., Porensky, L., Fernández-Giménez, M., Derner, J., Augustine, D., Ritten, J., Peck, D., 2019. Community-Engaged Research Builds a Nature-Culture of Hope on North American Great Plains Rangelands. Social Sciences 8, 22. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci8010022