Herbaceous Stubble Height as a Warning of Impending Cattle Grazing Damage to Riparian Areas

Prevention of damage to riparian areas from cattle grazing is essential for sound watershed management. Various stubble heights of the most palatable species are used to predict when unacceptable impacts-heavy use or trampling, or both-are about to occur.

Managers can observe stubble height and usage and recommend moving the cattle if undesirable effects from continued livestock grazing are anticipated. Three guides for determining when to move cattle are presented: (1) stubble height approaches 3 inches; (2) stubble height changes from 3 inches to 3/4 of an inch; and (3) the most palatable vegetation starts drying regardless of
stubble height.