Long-Awaited Study Shows Grazing is Good for Sage Grouse

A decade-long study from the University of Idaho is challenging the long-held belief that livestock grazing and sage grouse habitat can't coexist. The research found not only is grazing not harmful, but can actually improve habitat conditions. Public Lands Council Executive Director, Kaityly Glover,

“So you know, we're we see the benefits of livestock grazing, sort of across the board, in terms of fuel management, right in preventing catastrophic wildfire. And we know from looking at the last 10 or 15 years that the primary loss, not only of sage grouse habitat, but of a lot of this natural and native range land, is catastrophic fire. So not only is grazing and these kind of grazing rotations, not only is it protecting habitat for sage grouse, but it's also protecting larger landscape biodiversity.”

The study also found that cattle grazing contributed to greater insect diversity on these rangelands, providing an important food source for sage grouse and other wildlife.”

When we're talking about the value of the kind of food that these sage grouse chicks need in that very early stage, it's really important that they get high-quality nutrition, so that they're strong, that they're resilient, because they live in some pretty harsh places, right? And so that increase in the kind of bugs and insects that live on the ground is really great.”

Glover says these findings highlight the positive role grazing can play in Rangeland Management.