University of Idaho Rangeland Center

🌨️ Winter Work on Idaho’s Rangelands 🌨️

Winter might bring snow and freezing temperatures, but Idaho’s ranchers don’t take a break! ❄️ From dawn to dusk, they’re hard at work keeping livestock healthy and rangelands productive.

✅ Feeding Livestock: Ranchers ensure cattle, sheep, and other livestock have access to food, often supplementing with hay and feed to sustain them during the colder months when forage is scarce.

✅ Preparing for Calving Season: With new life on the horizon, ranchers gear up for the busy season ahead by monitoring expectant cows, maintaining facilities, and ensuring calves are born healthy and strong.

✅ Land Stewardship: Even in winter, ranchers play a vital role in caring for Idaho’s rangelands, managing resources to support both livestock and wildlife.

Their dedication keeps local economies thriving, supports sustainable food systems, and ensures rangelands remain a cornerstone of Idaho’s heritage. 💪🐑

🎤✨ Spotlight on Student Success: Walker Field at the 3-Minute Thesis Competition! ✨🎤

The Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) competition showcases the groundbreaking research of graduate students, challenging them to present their complex work in just three minutes to a non-specialist audience. This global competition hones their academic, presentation, and research communication skills.

📸 Featured in the photo is Walker Field, a graduate student in Natural Resources, Fish & Wildlife, presenting his thesis:
“Quantifying Effects of Beaver Dams on Brooding Greater Sage-grouse Hens.”

Congratulations, Walker and all other graduate students who presented, for representing the University of Idaho Rangeland Center and contributing to the understanding of these vital ecosystems! 🌿

🌾 Stay Connected with the Rangeland Center on LinkedIn! 🌾

Did you know the Rangeland Center is on LinkedIn? Follow us to stay updated on the latest in rangeland research, outreach, and innovation. 🐾

Join our growing community of rangeland enthusiasts and professionals making a difference in sustainable land use and conservation. 🌍

Happy Thanksgiving from the U of I Rangeland Center! 🦃

Today, we’re thankful for our incredible rangelands and the amazing community that helps steward them.

Wishing you a wonderful day filled with gratitude and love for the lands that sustain us all!

The Rangeland Center and the Northern Rockies Fire Science Network at the University of Idaho are seeking a communications strategist and science writer to develop and implement communications plans that enhance cooperation among researchers, agencies, and landowners. The communications strategist position will help translate new and emerging science of rangeland management for our partners through a variety of media types. Position is open until filled, but deadline for priority consideration is Dec 10th.

For details and application instructions, see https://uidaho.peopleadmin.com/postings/46301. Direct questions to [email protected].

🚴 News in Idaho’s Wood River Valley! 🚴

The BLM Shoshone Field Office has teamed up with the Wood River Trails Coalition (WRTC) to expand trail access in the Wood River Valley! Over the next five years, this partnership will bring 30-40 miles of new trails to the area, allowing residents of Hailey and Bellevue to explore Idaho’s rangelands by foot or bike—right from their doorstep. 🚵‍♀️🌲

With funding from the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act, Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation, and WRTC, the partnership will support construction, maintenance, design, and volunteer-led trail projects. In 2025, 6.5 miles of trail in Lee’s Gulch near Bellevue will be developed, doubling the official trail miles available for locals to connect with Idaho’s stunning rangeland landscapes. 🌄

These new trails will support the BLM’s Recreation Strategy of “Connecting with Communities,” making BLM-managed rangelands more accessible and ensuring they reflect the needs of local users.

Read more here: https://www.blm.gov/announcement/blm-partners-wood-river-trails-coalition-construct-trails-wood-river-valley

🪴 Soil Health Spotlight 🪴

Did you know fall is an ideal time to support soil resilience on rangelands? Here are some ways to prepare and protect soils as winter approaches:

Boost Organic Matter 🍂
Adding organic matter in fall, like compost or decaying plant material, enriches the soil and helps retain moisture through the colder months. This builds up a natural nutrient reserve, supporting healthy plant growth in spring.

Cover Crops for Protection 🌱
Planting cover crops is a great technique for protecting soil from erosion. These crops help prevent runoff, improve soil structure, and add nutrients as they break down over time. Try nitrogen-fixing plants like clover to boost fertility naturally!

Manage Grazing Carefully 🐄
Controlled grazing in the fall can help reduce soil compaction, allowing water and nutrients to pe*****te deeper. This practice promotes healthier root growth and prevents overgrazing, which can degrade soil health.

Mulch to Conserve Moisture 🌾
Applying a layer of mulch keeps soil insulated against temperature changes, conserves moisture, and reduces erosion caused by autumn winds and rains. This helps soil microbes stay active longer, supporting a balanced ecosystem year-round.

Monitor Soil pH and Nutrients 📊
Conducting a soil test in fall can give you a clear picture of nutrient needs and pH levels before winter. This helps with planning for spring planting and ensures a balanced environment for native plants to thrive.

Soil health is the foundation of resilient rangelands, and these fall practices go a long way toward preserving our ecosystems for the future! 🍂

🍂 Idaho’s Rangelands Are Alive with Color! 🍂

Meet some of our incredible fall flora and fauna, each playing a unique role in Idaho’s rangeland ecosystem:

Western Larch (Larix occidentalis) 🍁
This unique conifer turns golden in the fall, shedding its needles to conserve energy during the winter. Western larch supports rangeland biodiversity by offering habitat for birds and small mammals who depend on its branches for shelter.

Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) 🪶
These iconic rangeland birds rely on sagebrush habitats, especially in the fall. As the landscape cools, sage-grouse forage on sagebrush leaves for nutrients to sustain them through the colder months.

Pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) 🦌
Pronghorn are especially active in the fall as they prepare for rutting season. With incredible speed and agility, they navigate Idaho’s rangelands in search of food and mates, playing a key role in dispersing native plant seeds along the way.

These species and plants are vital to Idaho’s rangelands, each contributing to the balance and beauty of our ecosystem. Stay tuned for more highlights of our autumn wildlife! 🍁

🌾 Did You Know? Idaho’s native grasses have incredible survival strategies for fall and winter! Here are a few ways these hardy plants prepare for the colder months:

Deep Root Systems 🌱
Idaho's native grasses, like bluebunch wheatgrass and Idaho fescue, develop extensive root systems that anchor them firmly in the soil. These roots not only help them access deep water reserves but also provide insulation against freezing temperatures. ❄️

Dormancy Mode 💤
To conserve energy, native grasses enter a dormancy period as the temperatures drop. This means they slow down growth and focus on storing nutrients in their roots, so they’re ready to flourish again in spring.

Protective Sheaths 🌾
Some grasses develop a natural “sheath” around their stems and roots to shield them from frost. This adaptation minimizes moisture loss and keeps essential parts of the plant safe from harsh winter winds. 🌬️

Seed Dispersal Timing 🌱
Fall is a crucial time for seed dispersal! Idaho grasses have adapted to release seeds in the autumn, giving them a chance to settle and establish before the ground freezes. These seeds then germinate as soon as conditions are favorable in spring.

Nutrient Recycling 🍂
As leaves and stems wither, Idaho's native grasses cycle nutrients back into the soil, enriching it for the next growing season. This self-sustaining process helps maintain soil health and promotes resilience in rangeland ecosystems.

These remarkable adaptations make Idaho's rangelands resilient and support a diverse ecosystem year-round! 🌍

🌾 Thank You, Rangeland Fall Forum Participants! 🌾

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for this year’s Rangeland Fall Forum – Digging in... to Soil Health! We covered some fascinating ground on soil health and rangeland management, and as promised, here’s your follow-up on the topics we explored:

📘 Session 1: Soil Health Science Primer
Dr. Laurel Lynch kicked off with insights from Dr. Paige Stanley’s article, Ruminating on Soil Carbon, an engaging deep dive into soil carbon storage on rangelands and how management can impact it. We’re thrilled to share both the presentation slides and this open-access article with you!

🌍 Field Tour Recap
We visited several sites impacted by the Soda Fire to examine recovery over the past 10 years. Participants received soil infiltrometers and temperature probes to measure water infiltration on reburned vs. unburned sites. As promised, we’ve attached the NRCS protocol for ring infiltrometers!

Thank you for supporting the Fall Forum, and we can’t wait to see you next year!

🌿 Wildlife and Livestock: A Balancing Act 🐄🦌

The coexistence of wildlife and livestock presents both challenges and opportunities. Conflicts arise from shared diseases, competition for resources, and predation, but solutions like zoning, pasture fencing, and balancing livestock and wildlife populations can foster harmony. As we tackle global issues like food security and biodiversity, wildlife-livestock coexistence remains essential. Read the full article here: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10873016/



Credit: Barroso, P. & Gortázar, C. (2023). Wildlife and Livestock Coexistence: Conflicts and Opportunities.

🌾 Adapting Rangelands to Climate Change 🌾

Rangelands in the Northwest are facing significant challenges due to climate change, including more severe fires, invasive species, and prolonged droughts. A recent study by Maher et al. (2023) highlights the urgent need for adaptive management to support recovery and resilience in these ecosystems. By focusing on proactive strategies—like improving soil health and introducing climate-adapted plant species—land managers can help rangelands withstand these pressures and protect vital habitats. Read the full article here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S155074242400068X



Credit: Maher, A.T., Prendeville, H.R., Halofsky, J.E., Rowland, M.M., Davies, K.W., & Boyd, C.S. (2023). Climate Change Vulnerabilities and Adaptation Strategies for Land Managers on Northwest US Rangelands.

PC: Fire at Rinker Rock Creek Ranch

🍂 Don't forget! Our Fall Forum is coming up on October 3-4 in Treasure Valley, Idaho!

Join us as we dive into the latest rangeland research, conservation strategies, and collaborative efforts in all things soil health. 🌾 Whether you're a student, researcher, or land manager, this is your chance to connect and grow with our community! 🌿

Mark your calendars and we’ll see you there! 📅 Register: https://www.uidaho.edu/cnr/rangeland-center/events/fall-forum

📢 New Research Spotlight: Cow and Calf Grazing Behavior on Rugged Rangelands 🐄🌾

We're excited to highlight a recent study by Jim E. Sprinkle et al., titled "Unlocking the Mysteries of Cow and Calf Grazing Behavior on Rugged Rangeland Pastures Using GPS and Accelerometer Sensor Technology."

This fascinating research explores the grazing behaviors of efficient (EFF) vs. inefficient (INE) cattle using advanced GPS and sensor technology. Key findings include:

- INE cattle lost more weight and engaged in more search-grazing compared to EFF cattle.
- EFF cattle were better adapted to heat and rugged terrain, with their calves utilizing different grazing patterns, including more south-facing slopes.
- Environmental factors, such as heat load and terrain, significantly impacted cattle movement and grazing habits.

This study provides valuable insights for managing cattle on challenging rangeland pastures and highlights the influence of genetics, environmental adaptation, and efficiency on livestock performance.

🔗 Read the full study by Jim E. Sprinkle et al. and explore the implications for cattle production: DOI: 10.1093/jas/skae234.229

🌾 Reminder: 2024 Rangeland Center Fall Forum – October 3-4 🍂

Don't forget to join us for the 2024 Fall Forum! This two-day event will focus on soil health and sustainable rangeland management.

📅 Day 1: October 3, 2024
📍 Barber Park Education & Event Center, Boise, ID

10:00 a.m.: Welcome & Opening Remarks
11:45 a.m.: Lunch
12:30 p.m.: Soil Health sessions
5:30 p.m.: SRM Social Hour (Off-site TBD)

📅 Day 2: October 4, 2024
📍 Owyhee County Extension Office, Marsing, ID

9:00 a.m.: Field Tour (Low to High Elevation Sites)
12:00 p.m.: Lunch & Farewell
We hope to see you there! 🔗 https://www.uidaho.edu/cnr/rangeland-center/events/fall-forum

🚁🌿 Revolutionizing Shrub Volume Estimation with Drones in Rangeland Ecosystems 🌿🚁

Estimating shrub volume is essential for calculating key ecological indicators in rangeland ecosystems, such as biomass, fuel loading, wildlife habitat, and site productivity. Traditionally, field-based methods like destructive sampling, ocular estimates, and allometric techniques have been used—but they are time-consuming and often challenging.

Our latest study takes a leap forward by comparing traditional field measurements with drone-collected data for shrub volume estimation. Using a DJI Mavic 2 Professional drone and structure-from-motion photogrammetry, we created 3D models of sagebrush communities in southern Idaho. These drone-based models proved to be a faster, more reproducible method of estimating shrub volume, especially for larger species like mountain big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) and Purshia tridentata.

The results? Drone-estimated volumes closely matched field estimates, offering a suitable alternative to traditional methods. This approach not only reduces time and labor but also scales more easily across large study areas, paving the way for more efficient rangeland vegetation monitoring.

Read more through the link in our bio! 🌱🔍

🌾 Join Us for the Digging into Soil Health 2024 Rangeland Fall Forum! 🌾

Mark your calendars for October 3-4, 2024, as we gather in Treasure Valley, ID, to explore the latest in soil health on rangelands. This two-day event will feature hands-on learning, insightful case studies, and collaboration with producers and researchers who are dedicated to advancing rangeland sustainability.

Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with fellow professionals and learn about the future of soil health in rangeland management! 🌱

🔥🌾 Rethinking Post-Wildfire Grazing on U.S. Rangelands 🌾🔥

Did you know that rangelands make up 30% of the total land cover in the U.S.? These vital ecosystems provide resources for livestock, wildlife, water, and recreation. However, rangelands are increasingly threatened by disturbances like drought and wildfire. With wildfires becoming more frequent and intense, the need for effective management practices, both pre- and post-wildfire, is more important than ever.

Historically, grazing has been deferred for two years after a wildfire to prevent additional stress on recovering native plants. However, new research suggests that this blanket approach may need reconsideration, especially for rangeland ecosystems with species like bluebunch wheatgrass and Idaho fescue. These species may be more resilient to post-fire grazing than previously thought, indicating a need for more research across different rangeland ecotypes.

Explore this topic further through the link in our bio: The Interaction of Wildfire with Post-Fire Herbivory on Arid and Semi-Arid U.S. Rangelands (DOI: 10.3390/grasses3030010). 🌱🔍