![]() ![]() Clearly, all Nebraskans benefit in some way from healthy and sustainable rangelands throughout the state. Research from the United States’ Great Plains, African Serengeti, and Mongolian Plateau have all found that primary productivity increases steadily with increases in rainfall (Sala, Gherardi, Reichmann, Jobbagy, & Peters, 2012). Nearly all cattle production in the US starts with cow-calf operations centered on rangelands. Precipitation is a strong driver of ecosystem function and productivity. Range improvements: Tools and methods to improve cattle distribution English Espaol Introduction With few exceptions, the goal of most range improvements is to increase returns from the landscape by increasing forage quantity, quality or animal production. The cattle industry contributes approximately 12 billion to Nebraska’s economy each year. In 2015, the number of cattle in Nebraska was estimated at 6.3 million head ranking 2nd in the nation (USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service). Rangelands in Nebraska also provide a valuable forage resource for livestock producers. The cattle industry contributes approximately $12 billion to Nebraska’s economy each year. Rangelands in Nebraska also provide a valuable forage resource for livestock producers. Rangelands provide valuable ecosystem services to Nebraskans through habitat for wildlife, protection to soil from wind and water erosion, filtering of rain runoff into streams, recharge to underground aquifers, recreation, aesthetically pleasing landscapes, and many other important functions. Rangelands vary from the semi-arid shortgrass prairie in western Nebraska to tallgrass prairie in the east with mixed-grass prairies in the central regions of the state. Rangeland ecosystems occupy approximately 46 percent of Nebraska’s 49.5 million acres. Rangelands are described as “land on which the indigenous vegetation is predominantly grasses, grass-like plants, forbs, or shrubs and is managed as a natural ecosystem.” Rangeland Ecology and Management is a field of study devoted to understanding and managing these important ecosystems. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |