Are Wildlife and Cows compatible?

With insane land prices many of us cannot buy large tracts of land for merely recreational purposes. Even if we can, isn't it still a positive to make some income off of that land? While timbered areas can provide logging opportunities, grasslands provide income most often from grazing or haying. Depending on the topography and our available resources to either put up our own hay or finding someone in our immediate area to hire to put up hay, grazing may provide a less costly means of producing income on our property. Either through owning cattle or leasing out grazing rights to a cattle owner we can implement grazing as part of our wildlife habitat management plan. Out of the 3 species we routinely talk about in this blog white-tailed deer show the most "avoidance" of cattle. Even at that, the research that has been done shows that with light to moderate stocking rates of cattle, deer do not leave a property if a diverse habitat exists. Deer tend to prefer habitat types that are not typically sought by cattle and also are more active at opposite times of the day/night cycle. While deer are not typically seen amongst a herd of cattle, research shows that deer can often be found within 50 meters of cattle. Meaning the deer are not being displaced a large distance from where cattle are. Keep in mind that most cattle grazing is likely to occur during the active growing season as well.

Hen Turkey With Poults In a Grazed Pasture

Cattle most likely will be removed from wildlife habitat areas during the hunting season (late Fall - Winter) to graze on crop field residue and or kept in more confined pastures where they can be supplementally fed hay and grain during the Winter months. Soil disturbance from cattle on property is also beneficial outside of the monetary income. In order for grasslands to be beneficial to wildlife and to maintain early successional plant communities grazing, haying and fire must be introduced to the property on a regular basis. Besides the removal of excessive grass (thatch) ground disturbance from cattle hooves on occasion exposes bare soil that will be beneficial to allowing forbs to remain a part of our wildlife habitat. On undisturbed sites grass species eventually out competes all but the most aggressive forbs. Areas of bare ground or highly reduced levels grassy vegetation will be preferred foraging sites for turkeys and quail. Those same areas will also be preferred brood rearing locations. What about cows stepping on bird nests? In light to moderate cattle stocking rates (less than 4 head/ acre) one study showed that not a single quail nest was stepped on. While it certainly could happen the benefits of grazing outweigh the concern of a nest being stepped on. Often times turkeys select nesting sites that are under overhanging woody vegetation, further reducing the likelihood of being stepped on by cattle. With rotational grazing techniques, ideal nesting locations will likely benefit from some grazing just prior to nesting season for the reasons mentioned previously. Cattle can be rotated into grass areas that are likely to dense for prime nesting habitat just prior to nesting season. The key to utilizing cattle grazing as a habitat management tool is to keep stocking density levels at low to moderate levels and to keep a watch on the amount of vegetation being consumed and cattle moved at appropriate times.

Need help in implementing a grazing plan to benefit your wildlife habitat and creating income from your property? Just reach out, we are always happy to help, just click the button below.

Grassland Management Assistance