• Introduction
• General Principles
  • Tailor
  • Incorporate
  • Season
  • Limit Time
  • Distribution
  • Vegetation
  • Regrowth Time
  • Active Role
• Determine Season of Use
  • Spring
  • Mid-summer
  • Fall
  • Winter
• Interactive Exercises

Grazing Riparian Areas - General Principles for Grazing Livestock in Riparian Areas

See Video Clip on Season of Use

3. Select a season or seasons of use so grazing occurs, as often as possible, during periods compatible with animal behavior, conditions in the riparian area, and your riparian objectives.

No one season is "best" for grazing livestock in riparian areas. Livestock will affect riparian vegetation and physical conditions differently depending on many factors, including the time of year, the site's physical characteristics and condition, the stage of plant development, the nature of the plant communities in both the riparian area and the uplands, and the current weather. Different types of animals (cows, sheep, horses, etc.) and classes (cow/calf pairs, yearlings, bulls, etc.) use riparian areas differently, and this must also be considered in making management decisions.

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