RAWiki - User contributions [en]

RAWiki:About

2015-04-27T17:50:07Z

Elehnert: /* Examples of pages that need to be researched and written */

'''Regenerative Agriculture Wiki''' (RAWiki) is still just getting started - our goal is to become a central repository of articles outlining principles, techniques, insights and experience related to [[Regenerative Agriculture]] in [[Farming principles|principle]]s, theory and practice. We need your help! You don't have to be an expert to edit, find and link to good content, and help to organize the project. If you do have experience and knowledge we want others to benefit from what you know.

The RAWiki project is an attempt to collect, develop, curate and disseminate practical and theoretical information on these very important topics. The aim is to develop a comprehensive body of knowledge, information and wisdom that people can draw upon as well as to develop a community of [[RAWiki contributors|contributors]] who can share their knowledge and experiences with others. The RAWiki project uses the [//www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Manual:FAQ MediaWiki] platform to maximize interoperability with wikipedia. The project currently has {{NUMBEROFARTICLES}} [[Special:AllPages|articles]] and stubs of articles waiting to be expanded.

We, the founders of this project, think RAWiki is important. We believe that the techniques of regenerative agriculture represent some of the planet's best hopes for creating a "win-win" between the need to feed a growing human population and the equally important need to regenerate a planet that is increasingly being damaged by our human interaction with it. Agriculture is the primary way that humans interact with their ecosystem and impact the surface of the earth, it's water and air. Regenerative agriculture has the potential not only to address these vital problems in a meaningful way, but to provide livelihoods to millions of undervalued people in rural areas and developing countries while contributing to human health and well-being with quality, nutrient dense foods.

From our personal experience, we don't believe these goals are the result of impractical, dreamy idealism. We have implemented and proven their practical and ''profitable'' application in both the local and global markets. These ideas ''work,'' both in the context of a wealthy developed country, and among the poorest people on earth in a developing context. Despite our success, these visions and models have not become widespread. Through this wiki, even if only in a small way, we hope to document the successes of regenerative agriculture, influence others to implement these ideas and to support them in doing so.

==Key Pages==

*[[Farming principles]]
*[[Jacob Springs Farm]]
*[[Recommended references]]
*[[Food preservation]]
*[[Regenerative agriculture]]

==History==

RAWiki began as a project of [[Andre Houssney]] and [[Daniel Rankin]] of [[Jacob Springs Farm]], near Boulder Colorado, in addition to providing their community with ethical animal proteins and sustainably-grown produce, Jacob Springs farm has a mission to show leadership in the [[agroecology]] movement through the spread of information. RAWiki began as a part of that effort.

==Why develop a new wiki?==
We believe in the mission of Wikipedia, and we are actively editing, linking to, and improving wikipedia content. However Wikipedia does not go far enough:
#Wikipedia does not allow practical “how to” material - techniques and application
#“Principles” of regenerative agriculture are difficult to cite within the wikipedia framework.
#Experiences and narratives of others who have applied different techniques do not have a place on wikipedia.
#Wikipedia requires a “neutral point of view”. In an industry dominated by corporate agriculture, sustainability is unfortunately not “neutral” and most research represents corporate-sponsored views.

==Point of View==
The Jacob Springs RAWiki (regenerative agriculture wiki) does not adhere to the "“neutral point of view” guidelines of wikipedia, rather, RAWiki promotes an [[agroecology|agroecological]] (specifically [[Christian agroecology|Christian agroecological]]) worldview.

Those who join in editing and authoring this content do not need to agree in every respect,

STATE UNIVERSAL GOALS
actions flow directly from our worldview and we organize the main content of this wiki in the following order of descending importance:

[[Knowing God]] (theology) > [[Ethics]] > [[Farming principles|Principles]] > [[Strategies]] > [[Techniques]]

==Examples of RAW pages==
Permaculture: the RAW project article on permaculture allows the main principles of permaculture to be displayed in an organized, concise way that allows it’s claims and insights to be evaluated based on scientific knowledge and practical experience. RAW links it’s pages on permaculture directly to other pages and articles related directly to sustainable agriculture - for example the article on Permaculture: Fruit tree management links to pages with more documented Scientific knowledge such as “[[Apple Tree: (Malus Domestica)]]” and “[[Apple Scab (Venturia inaequalis)]]” as well as articles relating to other techniques of sustainable orchard management such as “[[Silvopasture]]” and “[[Regenerative Orchard Management]]” and articles about people putting these techniques to work like “[[Lost Nation Orchard]]”.

=="I want to help!" What can I do?"==

Many different skills are needed to write and edit articles and cite sources to expand the scope, accuracy and usefulness of the wiki. [[RAWiki Contributors|Contributors]] from a wide variety of different backgrounds and those with different knowledge levels are welcome to participate.

RAWiki is seeking help with the development of the project from [[RAWiki Contributors#administrators|administrators]], [[RAWiki Contributors#writers|writers]], [[RAWiki Contributors#illustrators and photographers|illustrators and photographers]], [[RAWiki Contributors#editors|editors]], [[RAWiki Contributors#researchers and fact checkers|researchers and fact checkers]], and, especially, [[RAWiki Contributors#practitioners|practitioners]], those, such as farmers, ranchers, gardeners and animal breeders with practical experience as "doers" involved in implementing some aspect of regenerative agriculture.

''See also" [[RAWiki contributors]]

Here are some ideas for those who want to help:
*Edit current pages for accuracy, style and organization
*Expand current pages which are incomplete
*Research supporting documentation and link to these sources
*Identify “red links” (linked topics with no article written about them) and write the linked articles
*Identify important topics which are not currently covered by the wiki and create stub articles for future expansion*
*Create new pages on farms and farmers “doing it right”
*Update Wikipedia with useful, relevant data from RAW and include links to RAW in relevant wikipedia pages
*Interview sustainable farmers on relevant topics and summarize their experience and advice with appropriate citation and caveats.
*Observe and describe regenerative practices at Jacob Springs Farm or other farms "doing it right"

== Examples of pages that need to be researched and written ==
*[[Important grazing species]] - identify the 25 most important species of perennial plant to grazing systems globally - categorize them by biome (e.g. Miombo forest, oak savannah, north american great plains etc.); create a template for presenting information relevant to herdsman on each pant species - create stub articles about each species using information from wikipedia and grazing science handbooks.
*[[Important crop species]] - identify the 25 most important food crops globally - create a template for presenting information relevant to farmers on each pant species - create stub articles about each species using information from wikipedia and other sources.
*Important pest species - identify the 25 most important pest species globally - create a template for presenting information relevant to farmers and herdsmen on each pant species - create stub articles about each species using information from wikipedia and other sources.
*[[Holistic grazing]] - write on the [[Savory Institute]] and [[Alan Savory]], link to his TED talk and his books.
*[[Incubation]] - summary of available science and best practices for hatching eggs on small and medium scales - what effect does temperature and humidity have on success rate? How tightly do these conditions need to be held? - advantages and disadvantages to allowing a hen to hatch her own eggs,
*Permaculture guilds - review permaculture material and scientific material to try to tease apart “hype” from potentially useful interactions between species in Permaculture “guilds”. Devise a way to rate the effectiveness of a guild - collect anecdotes and testimonials from the web and other sources about people using guilds to good effect.

== Getting started ==
Consult the [//meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Help:Contents User's Guide] for information on using the wiki software.
* [//www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Manual:Configuration_settings Configuration settings list]
* [//www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Manual:FAQ MediaWiki FAQ]
* [https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/mediawiki-announce MediaWiki release mailing list]
* [//www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Localisation#Translation_resources Localise MediaWiki for your language]

Holistic grazing

2015-04-15T20:51:52Z

Elehnert:

==Introduction==
Developed 40 years ago by Allan Savory, a Zimbabwean biologist, game ranger, politician, farmer, and rancher, holistic grazing attempts to provide a framework which results in ecologically regenerative, economically viable and socially sound management of the world’s grasslands. Holistic grazing is based on the concept of raising domestic livestock in a way that mimics wild herds grazing patterns. [[File:Holistic_Grazing.png|thumb|upright=1.5|In holistic grazing systems, carbon is stored into the soil, not the atmosphere which reduces greenhouse gas effects.]]
===Why Holistic Grazing===
Primary literature suggests a wide range of benefits from holistic management.[http://www.savoryinstitute.com/media/53459/SI-HM%20Scientific%20Portfolio.pdf]
*Enhanced profits and livelihoods
*More productive rangeland or cropland
*More biologically active soils
*Removal of existing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere
*Less new carbon dioxide production
*Increased carrying capacity
*Maximum benefit from rainfall
*Reversal of desertification
*Protection from drought
*Improved wildlife habitat
*Better food security
*Improved economic viability for organics production
*Clean water

===Using Nature as a Template===
Holistic management attempts to replicate patterns of nature. In the sense of grazing, frequent movement of cattle throughout the landscape is essential to prevent desertifiction, or the transition of healthy grasslands into deserts due to poor management techniques. [[Joel Salatin]], a farmer from Virginia, implements holistic grazing and uses animal rotational techniques to improve soil quality and in the longterm, increase vitality of the native perennial grasses. At [[Polyface Farms]], Salatin grazes 300 cattle on a quarter acre of land for one day, then moves them to the next quarter acre. Three days later, chickens graze that same quarter acre, spreading the cow manure and eating bugs and parasites. The chickens are followed by meat birds, or broilers, then turkeys. Each species plays a unique role in optimizing ecosystem services and regenerative agriculture. [http://sustainablefoodtrust.org/articles/mob-grazing-offering-an-alternative-to-gmos/]

===Holistic Management at Jacob Springs===
Jacob Springs values the way nature was created to be self sufficient as we attempt to facilitate natural processes throughout our production. Utilizing holistic management techniques has shown us that it produces a better harvest for both meat and vegetables, cuts costs as no fertilizers or added composts are necessary, and creates a healthier ecosystem as carbon is stored in the soil and natural functions are facilitated. Some ways we implement holistic management:
* Rotational grazing of cattle followed by broilers
* Grazing pigs on vegetable fields post growing season to fertilize fields, aerate the land, and clear out weeds
* Integrating chicken coup compost in the vegetable field

Holistic grazing

2015-04-15T20:35:52Z

Elehnert:

Holistic grazing

2015-04-15T20:25:02Z

Elehnert:

==Introduction==
Developed 40 years ago by Allan Savory, a Zimbabwean biologist, game ranger, politician, farmer, and rancher, holistic grazing attempts to provide a framework which results in ecologically regenerative, economically viable and socially sound management of the world’s grasslands. Holistic grazing is based on the concept of raising domestic livestock in a way that mimics wild herds grazing patterns. [[File:Holistic_Grazing.png|thumb|upright=1.5|In holistic grazing systems, carbon is stored into the soil, not the atmosphere which reduces greenhouse gas effects.]]
===Why Holistic Grazing===
Primary literature suggests a wide range of benefits from holistic management.[http://www.savoryinstitute.com/media/53459/SI-HM%20Scientific%20Portfolio.pdf]
*Enhanced profits and livelihoods
*More productive rangeland or cropland
*More biologically active soils
*Removal of existing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere
*Less new carbon dioxide production
*Increased carrying capacity
*Maximum benefit from rainfall
*Reversal of desertification
*Protection from drought
*Improved wildlife habitat
*Better food security
*Improved economic viability for organics production
*Clean water

===Using Nature as a Template===
Holistic management attempts to replicate patterns of nature. In the sense of grazing, frequent movement of cattle throughout the landscape is essential to prevent desertifiction, or the transition of healthy grasslands into deserts due to poor management techniques. [Joel Salatin], a farmer from Virginia, implements holistic grazing and uses animal rotational techniques to improve soil quality and in the longterm, increase vitality of the native perennial grasses. At [Polyface Farms], Salatin grazes 300 cattle on a quarter acre of land for one day, then moves them to the next quarter acre. Three days later, chickens graze that same quarter acre, spreading the cow manure and eating bugs and parasites. The chickens are followed by meat birds, or broilers, then turkeys. Each species plays a unique role in

====References====
{{reflist}}

Holistic grazing

2015-04-15T01:00:35Z

Elehnert:

RAWiki:About

2015-04-01T23:02:50Z

Elehnert: /* Examples of pages that need to be researched and written */

'''Regenerative Agriculture Wiki''' (RAWiki) is still just getting started - our goal is to become a central repository of articles outlining principles, techniques, insights and experience related to [[Regenerative Agriculture]] in [[Farming principles|principle]]s, theory and practice. We need your help! You don't have to be an expert to edit, find and link to good content, and help to organize the project. If you do have experience and knowledge we want others to benefit from what you know.

The RAWiki project is an attempt to collect, develop, curate and disseminate practical and theoretical information on these very important topics. The aim is to develop a comprehensive body of knowledge, information and wisdom that people can draw upon as well as to develop a community of [[RAWiki contributors|contributors]] who can share their knowledge and experiences with others. The RAWiki project uses the [//www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Manual:FAQ MediaWiki] platform to maximize interoperability with wikipedia. The project currently has {{NUMBEROFARTICLES}} [[Special:AllPages|articles]] and stubs of articles waiting to be expanded.

We, the founders of this project, think RAWiki is important. We believe that the techniques of regenerative agriculture represent some of the planet's best hopes for creating a "win-win" between the need to feed a growing human population and the equally important need to regenerate a planet that is increasingly being damaged by our human interaction with it. Agriculture is the primary way that humans interact with their ecosystem and impact the surface of the earth, it's water and air. Regenerative agriculture has the potential not only to address these vital problems in a meaningful way, but to provide livelihoods to millions of undervalued people in rural areas and developing countries while contributing to human health and well-being with quality, nutrient dense foods.

From our personal experience, we don't believe these goals are the result of impractical, dreamy idealism. We have implemented and proven their practical and ''profitable'' application in both the local and global markets. These ideas ''work,'' both in the context of a wealthy developed country, and among the poorest people on earth in a developing context. Despite our success, these visions and models have not become widespread. Through this wiki, even if only in a small way, we hope to document the successes of regenerative agriculture, influence others to implement these ideas and to support them in doing so.

==Key Pages==

*[[Farming principles]]
*[[Jacob Springs Farm]]
*[[Recommended references]]
*[[Food preservation]]
*[[Regenerative agriculture]]

==History==

RAWiki began as a project of [[Andre Houssney]] and [[Daniel Rankin]] of [[Jacob Springs Farm]], near Boulder Colorado, in addition to providing their community with ethical animal proteins and sustainably-grown produce, Jacob Springs farm has a mission to show leadership in the [[agroecology]] movement through the spread of information. RAWiki began as a part of that effort.

==Why develop a new wiki?==
We believe in the mission of Wikipedia, and we are actively editing, linking to, and improving wikipedia content. However Wikipedia does not go far enough:
#Wikipedia does not allow practical “how to” material - techniques and application
#“Principles” of regenerative agriculture are difficult to cite within the wikipedia framework.
#Experiences and narratives of others who have applied different techniques do not have a place on wikipedia.
#Wikipedia requires a “neutral point of view”. In an industry dominated by corporate agriculture, sustainability is unfortunately not “neutral” and most research represents corporate-sponsored views.

==Point of View==
The Jacob Springs RAWiki (regenerative agriculture wiki) does not adhere to the "“neutral point of view” guidelines of wikipedia, rather, RAWiki promotes an [[agroecology|agroecological]] (specifically [[Christian agroecology|Christian agroecological]]) worldview.

Those who join in editing and authoring this content do not need to agree in every respect,

STATE UNIVERSAL GOALS
actions flow directly from our worldview and we organize the main content of this wiki in the following order of descending importance:

[[Knowing God]] (theology) > [[Ethics]] > [[Farming principles|Principles]] > [[Strategies]] > [[Techniques]]

==Examples of RAW pages==
Permaculture: the RAW project article on permaculture allows the main principles of permaculture to be displayed in an organized, concise way that allows it’s claims and insights to be evaluated based on scientific knowledge and practical experience. RAW links it’s pages on permaculture directly to other pages and articles related directly to sustainable agriculture - for example the article on Permaculture: Fruit tree management links to pages with more documented Scientific knowledge such as “[[Apple Tree: (Malus Domestica)]]” and “[[Apple Scab (Venturia inaequalis)]]” as well as articles relating to other techniques of sustainable orchard management such as “[[Silvopasture]]” and “[[Regenerative Orchard Management]]” and articles about people putting these techniques to work like “[[Lost Nation Orchard]]”.

=="I want to help!" What can I do?"==

Many different skills are needed to write and edit articles and cite sources to expand the scope, accuracy and usefulness of the wiki. [[RAWiki Contributors|Contributors]] from a wide variety of different backgrounds and those with different knowledge levels are welcome to participate.

RAWiki is seeking help with the development of the project from [[RAWiki Contributors#administrators|administrators]], [[RAWiki Contributors#writers|writers]], [[RAWiki Contributors#illustrators and photographers|illustrators and photographers]], [[RAWiki Contributors#editors|editors]], [[RAWiki Contributors#researchers and fact checkers|researchers and fact checkers]], and, especially, [[RAWiki Contributors#practitioners|practitioners]], those, such as farmers, ranchers, gardeners and animal breeders with practical experience as "doers" involved in implementing some aspect of regenerative agriculture.

''See also" [[RAWiki contributors]]

Here are some ideas for those who want to help:
*Edit current pages for accuracy, style and organization
*Expand current pages which are incomplete
*Research supporting documentation and link to these sources
*Identify “red links” (linked topics with no article written about them) and write the linked articles
*Identify important topics which are not currently covered by the wiki and create stub articles for future expansion*
*Create new pages on farms and farmers “doing it right”
*Update Wikipedia with useful, relevant data from RAW and include links to RAW in relevant wikipedia pages
*Interview sustainable farmers on relevant topics and summarize their experience and advice with appropriate citation and caveats.
*Observe and describe regenerative practices at Jacob Springs Farm or other farms "doing it right"

== Examples of pages that need to be researched and written ==
*[[Important grazing species]] - identify the 25 most important species of perennial plant to grazing systems globally - categorize them by biome (e.g. Miombo forest, oak savannah, north american great plains etc.); create a template for presenting information relevant to herdsman on each pant species - create stub articles about each species using information from wikipedia and grazing science handbooks.
*Important crop species - identify the 25 most important food crops globally - create a template for presenting information relevant to farmers on each pant species - create stub articles about each species using information from wikipedia and other sources.
*Important pest species - identify the 25 most important pest species globally - create a template for presenting information relevant to farmers and herdsmen on each pant species - create stub articles about each species using information from wikipedia and other sources.
*[[Holistic grazing]] - write on the [[Savory Institute]] and [[Alan Savory]], link to his TED talk and his books.
*[[Incubation]] - summary of available science and best practices for hatching eggs on small and medium scales - what effect does temperature and humidity have on success rate? How tightly do these conditions need to be held? - advantages and disadvantages to allowing a hen to hatch her own eggs,
*Permaculture guilds - review permaculture material and scientific material to try to tease apart “hype” from potentially useful interactions between species in Permaculture “guilds”. Devise a way to rate the effectiveness of a guild - collect anecdotes and testimonials from the web and other sources about people using guilds to good effect.

== Getting started ==
Consult the [//meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Help:Contents User's Guide] for information on using the wiki software.
* [//www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Manual:Configuration_settings Configuration settings list]
* [//www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Manual:FAQ MediaWiki FAQ]
* [https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/mediawiki-announce MediaWiki release mailing list]
* [//www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Special:MyLanguage/Localisation#Translation_resources Localise MediaWiki for your language]

Holistic grazing

2015-04-01T23:01:16Z

Elehnert:

Holistic grazing

2015-04-01T22:53:26Z

Elehnert:

Holistic grazing

2015-04-01T22:14:32Z

Elehnert:

==Holistic Grazing==
Developed 40 years ago by Allan Savory, a Zimbabwean biologist, game ranger, politician, farmer, and rancher, holistic grazing attempts to provide a framework which results in ecologically regenerative, economically viable and socially sound management of the world’s grasslands. Holistic grazing is based on the concept of raising domestic livestock in a way that mimics wild herds grazing patterns. [[File:Holistic_Grazing.png|thumb|upright=1.5|In holistic grazing systems, carbon is stored into the soil, not the atmosphere which reduces greenhouse gas effects.]]

File:Holistic Grazing.png

2015-04-01T22:08:33Z

Elehnert:

Holistic grazing

2015-04-01T22:08:01Z

Elehnert: Created page with "==Holistic Grazing== Developed 40 years ago by Allan Savory, a Zimbabwean biologist, game ranger, politician, farmer, and rancher, holistic grazing attempts to provide a frame..."

RAWiki:Contributors: to do items

2015-04-01T21:42:54Z

Elehnert:

This is a set of "to do" lists, "to do" suggestions and comments intended for the internal use of RAWiki contributors.
Feel free to use the [[Special:SpecialPages|special pages]] to identify areas in need of attention. For example [[Special:WantedPages]]

''see also''

# [//meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Help:Contents User's Guide] ''for information on using the mediawiki platform''
# [[RAWiki:Contributors]] ''for the overview on contributing to the wiki.''
# [[RAWiki:possible contributors]] ''to identify possible outside contributors to RAWik and match them with articles that they could write.''

==List of needed articles==
Suggested articles can be placed here if there is no time to simply create them.
In addition to listing the article here, if possible, place a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Red_link red link] to the suggested article somewhere in the wiki or identify another suggested article in which that link can be placed to avoid creating [[Special:LonelyPages|orphaned articles]]

#[[Joel Salatin]]
#[[Soil fertility]]
#[[Holism]]
#[[Economies of scale]]
#[[Economies of scope]]
#[[Biodiversity]]
#[[Arduino]]
#[[Conventional farming]]

==To do lists for specific contributors==

Add suggestions here for articles that a person might be able to write.
* If someone leaves you a suggestion and you don't feel that you are able to write the article they suggested, feel free to remove it from your to do and, if you like, suggest someone else to write it.
* If an article you want to write appears on someone else's list - write it anyway! they can always go in and make it better. *This can also be discussed in the the talk page for this page.

===[[Andre Houssney]]===
* Andre's todo: Everything
* Identify possible outside contributors to RAWiki, add them to the list of [[RAWiki:possible contributors]], match them with articles that they could write and contact them to ask for their participation
* Get others to help with the above.

===Daniel Rankin===
*[[Arduino]]
*[[Agronimo]]

===Kierstyn Bristol===
*[[Jacob Springs milk share procedures]]

===Steven Kluck===
*[[Agroecology]], [[christian agroecology]] define and expand on these topics
*[[ECHO]]
*[[Tropical Agriculture]]

===Ethan Eakin===
*[[cow-calf operation]]
*[[cattle]] - terminology and species information page similar to [[swine]]
*[[Cattle breeds]] overview of important cattle breeds (both to industry and agroecology) breakout individual pages for most important breeds
*[[cattle breeding]] talk about breeding goals and methods of the conventional industry and of more traditional or agroecological breeders

===Elias Lehnert===
*[[Important grazing species]] - identify the 25 most important species of perennial plant to grazing systems globally - categorize them by biome (e.g. Miombo forest, oak savannah, north american great plains etc.); create a template for presenting information relevant to herdsman on each pant species - create stub articles about each species using information from wikipedia and grazing science handbooks.
*Important crop species - identify the 25 most important food crops globally - create a template for presenting information relevant to farmers on each pant species - create stub articles about each species using information from wikipedia and other sources.
*Important pest species - identify the 25 most important pest species globally - create a template for presenting information relevant to farmers and herdsmen on each pant species - create stub articles about each species using information from wikipedia and other sources.
*[[Holistic grazing]] - write on the [[Savory Institute]] and [[Alan Savory]], link to his TED talk and his books.
*[[Incubation]] - summary of available science and best practices for hatching eggs on small and medium scales - what effect does temperature and humidity have on success rate? How tightly do these conditions need to be held? - advantages and disadvantages to allowing a hen to hatch her own eggs,
*Permaculture guilds - review permaculture material and scientific material to try to tease apart “hype” from potentially useful interactions between species in Permaculture “guilds”. Devise a way to rate the effectiveness of a guild - collect anecdotes and testimonials from the web and other sources about people using guilds to good effect.

Important grazing species

2015-03-04T21:19:41Z

Elehnert:

==Important Grazing Plant Species==
Understanding appropriate plant species for grazing in specific environments increases forage production and quality, encourages animal health, and discourages weed invasion. It
protects soil and increases water infiltration rates and soil organic matter content.

===Great Plains of North America===

====Colorado====
* [[ Kentucky bluegrass ]]

Kentucky bluegrass provides good grazing and tolerates[[File:Kentucky_bluegrass.png|thumb|upright=.75|Kentucky bluegrass: The species is highly palatable to horses,
cattle, and sheep. It produces relatively low yields
compared to other pasture grasses, but can be very
productive in the Northeast on closely grazed
intensive rotational grazing systems.]]
trampling but is not highly productive. Overgrazing or undergrazing
bluegrass for short periods is not harmful. Because it tolerates trampling and
overgrazing, it works well as a component of horse pastures. Keep between a
height of 2 and 6 inches. Crude protein can be 20% at maturity.

*[[ Sand bluestem ]]
Sand bluestem (Andropogon hallii) is a native, warm-season grass that grows 3 to 8 feet tall. Leaves grow 8 to 12 inches
long. It is adapted to sandy soils and helps bind them with its sod-forming growth habit. Sand bluestem provides good summer grazing and is
relished by all classes of livestock. It has only fair palatability in the winter

*[[Meadow brome ]]
Meadow brome (Bromus biebersteinii) is a cool-season grass that originated
in Southeast Asia. It is a bunchgrass with short rhizomes and grows 24 to 48
inches tall. Meadow brome is adapted to irrigated sites with silt to clay soil.
It has some drought tolerance to withstand less than full-season irrigation.
Meadow brome establishes rapidly and is more winter hardy than other irrigated grasses like orchardgrass.
Meadow brome is a good competitor, but is not as aggressive as smooth brome. It recovers faster than smooth brome from
haying or grazing. Meadow brome is highly desired by livestock and wildlife.

*[[Blue grama]]
Blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis) is a native, warm-season grass that is prevalent in
the shortgrass prairie. It is a short grass with seed stalks 8 to 24 inches tall, and
curly leaves 2 to 6 inches long. Blue grama prefers silt to clay soils and can either
grow in bunches or tight sods (i.e. sod-former). It is one of the best drought
tolerant grasses and mixes well with buffalograss, sideoats grama, western
wheatgrass, and green needlegrass.Blue grama withstands trampling and grazing very well. Because leaves grow short, it is not very
productive, but supplies excellent summer or winter pasture feed. Do not graze this grass to less than 2 inches tall. A
main reason for its drought tolerance is that it will go dormant with extended dry soil conditions. Because of this self preservation
tactic, it recovers from drought better than other grasses.

*[[ Crested Wheatgrass]]
Crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum) is a cool-season grass that originated
in Russia. All but one variety are bunchgrasses and they are adapted to a wide
range of soils. All are drought tolerant, some more than others. Crested wheatgrasses provide forage two to three weeks earlier than most other
grasses, but become dormant with hot temperatures in early June.Crested wheatgrass is very tolerant of grazing. Graze it during April and May before the grass turns
brown in early June. Forage quality is poor from June through August.

*[[ Western Wheatgrass]]
Western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii) is a cool-season, native sod-former
and a major grass on the eastern plains. Western wheatgrass is resistant to grazing and provides
good forage from spring through summer. It cures well when standing and
can be used for winter grazing. Despite stiff leaves, it rarely becomes coarse enough to prevent sheep from grazing. Like all
cool-season grasses, it needs to have an opportunity to regrow after being heavily grazed in the spring. Western wheat will
be grazed out with annual, close grazing in the spring.

*[[ Russian Wildrye]]
Russian wildrye (Psathyrostachys juncea) is a cool-season, dryland
bunchgrass that originated in central Asia. This grass
begins growth two weeks later than crested wheatgrass, but has better
fall regrowth and summer availability, if soil moisture is available. Russian wildrye is an excellent dryland pasture grass that is palatable to all livestock. It tolerates close
grazing better than most grasses and regrows quickly. A good strategy is to graze lightly in the spring, saving regrowth for
late summer and fall when other grasses are not available.
=====Grazing Grasses Colorado=====
[[File:Grass_Table.png|thumb|left| upright=2.0| Comprehensive table of grazing grasses found in Colorado]]

===South American Campos===
The South American grassland lies between 24°S and 35°S; it includes parts of Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina, and all of Uruguay. Grassland -based livestock production is very important, based on the natural grassland that covers most of the area.

Important grass species include Andropogon lateralis, Paspalum notatum and Sporobolus indicus in the Campos region.
*[[Bahiagrass]]
[[Bahiagrass]] or Paspalum notatum, with proper management, provides
fair to good pasture and hay, and can be used in woodland
pasture systems (silvopasture). Forage quality depends on
soil fertility and grass stage of growth. Bahiagrass hay is
leafy, but difficult to make because of bahiagrass’
prostrate growth habit.
==Africa==
*[[East Africa Grasslands]]
The grasslands of eastern Africa are very diverse, with a range of dominant species dependent on rainfall, soil type and management or grazing system. Eastern Africa is renowned as a centre of genetic diversity of tropical grasses and the centre of greatest diversity of cultivated grass species . Over 90 percent of the major cultivated forage grasses have their centre of origin in sub-Saharan Africa and are indigenous to the extensive grasslands of eastern Africa. There are an estimated 1 000 species of grass indigenous to the region, with more than 600 species found in Kenya alone . The wide distribution and adaptability of many of these species across a range of environments and management systems indicates the presence of considerable genetic diversity within the region. This diversity has been exploited to select superior ecotypes for use in many other parts of the world. [[Brachiaria]] species, originating from eastern Africa, are the most widely planted forage grass.

Themeda triandra is one of the most widespread grass species in sub-Saharan Africa but it is only the dominant grassland type in central and northern Tanzania. The species is very variable and shows wide adaptation to growth in both the highland regions and the lowland savannas. Themeda, Bothriochloa, Digitaria and Heteropogon mixtures are common in the open dry savannah areas of Tanzania, such as the Serengeti plains. Short tufted ecotypes of Themeda triandra are found at high altitudes and taller more woody types are found in the open lowland savannahs. These vary in palatability, but all types quickly lose palatability with age. Themeda triandra can tolerate light to moderate grazing, and productivity can reach 400 kg/ha/day in the wet season in the Serengeti plains, making them among the most productive grasslands in the world. Plant biomass, quality and species numbers decline in the absence of grazing, are at a peak under moderate to high grazing and can decline under very high grazing. In the Mara region in Kenya, to the north, which is a continuation of the grassland ecosystem of the Serengeti Plains, Themeda makes up about 50 percent of the grass cover in lightly to moderately grazed sites, dropping to 1-5 percent cover near settlements where Maasai corral their livestock each night.
*[[South African Grasslands]]
This region is home to large numbers of grazing and other wildlife, which are common on large-scale ranches and are increasing in importance as a managed resource.

Red oat grass is an important grazing grass for domestic livestock and wildlife and is part of the natural savanna pastures. It is highly palatable to livestock, especially when young
==References==
[http://www.ext.colostate.edu/sam/forage-guide.pdf] Colorado State University Extension: Forage Guide
[http://plants.usda.gov/] Plants- USDA

Important grazing species

2015-03-04T01:45:27Z

Elehnert:

==Important Grazing Plant Species==
Understanding appropriate plant species for grazing in specific environments increases forage production and quality, encourages animal health, and discourages weed invasion. It
protects soil and increases water infiltration rates and soil organic matter content.

===Great Plains of North America===

====Colorado====
* [[ Kentucky bluegrass ]]

Kentucky bluegrass provides good grazing and tolerates[[File:Kentucky_bluegrass.png|thumb|upright=.75|Kentucky bluegrass: The species is highly palatable to horses,
cattle, and sheep. It produces relatively low yields
compared to other pasture grasses, but can be very
productive in the Northeast on closely grazed
intensive rotational grazing systems.]]
trampling but is not highly productive. Overgrazing or undergrazing
bluegrass for short periods is not harmful. Because it tolerates trampling and
overgrazing, it works well as a component of horse pastures. Keep between a
height of 2 and 6 inches. Crude protein can be 20% at maturity.

*[[ Sand bluestem ]]
Sand bluestem (Andropogon hallii) is a native, warm-season grass that grows 3 to 8 feet tall. Leaves grow 8 to 12 inches
long. It is adapted to sandy soils and helps bind them with its sod-forming growth habit. Sand bluestem provides good summer grazing and is
relished by all classes of livestock. It has only fair palatability in the winter

*[[Meadow brome ]]
Meadow brome (Bromus biebersteinii) is a cool-season grass that originated
in Southeast Asia. It is a bunchgrass with short rhizomes and grows 24 to 48
inches tall. Meadow brome is adapted to irrigated sites with silt to clay soil.
It has some drought tolerance to withstand less than full-season irrigation.
Meadow brome establishes rapidly and is more winter hardy than other irrigated grasses like orchardgrass.
Meadow brome is a good competitor, but is not as aggressive as smooth brome. It recovers faster than smooth brome from
haying or grazing. Meadow brome is highly desired by livestock and wildlife.

*[[Blue grama]]
Blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis) is a native, warm-season grass that is prevalent in
the shortgrass prairie. It is a short grass with seed stalks 8 to 24 inches tall, and
curly leaves 2 to 6 inches long. Blue grama prefers silt to clay soils and can either
grow in bunches or tight sods (i.e. sod-former). It is one of the best drought
tolerant grasses and mixes well with buffalograss, sideoats grama, western
wheatgrass, and green needlegrass.Blue grama withstands trampling and grazing very well. Because leaves grow short, it is not very
productive, but supplies excellent summer or winter pasture feed. Do not graze this grass to less than 2 inches tall. A
main reason for its drought tolerance is that it will go dormant with extended dry soil conditions. Because of this self preservation
tactic, it recovers from drought better than other grasses.

*[[ Crested Wheatgrass]]
Crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum) is a cool-season grass that originated
in Russia. All but one variety are bunchgrasses and they are adapted to a wide
range of soils. All are drought tolerant, some more than others. Crested wheatgrasses provide forage two to three weeks earlier than most other
grasses, but become dormant with hot temperatures in early June.Crested wheatgrass is very tolerant of grazing. Graze it during April and May before the grass turns
brown in early June. Forage quality is poor from June through August.

*[[ Western Wheatgrass]]
Western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii) is a cool-season, native sod-former
and a major grass on the eastern plains. Western wheatgrass is resistant to grazing and provides
good forage from spring through summer. It cures well when standing and
can be used for winter grazing. Despite stiff leaves, it rarely becomes coarse enough to prevent sheep from grazing. Like all
cool-season grasses, it needs to have an opportunity to regrow after being heavily grazed in the spring. Western wheat will
be grazed out with annual, close grazing in the spring.

*[[ Russian Wildrye]]
Russian wildrye (Psathyrostachys juncea) is a cool-season, dryland
bunchgrass that originated in central Asia. This grass
begins growth two weeks later than crested wheatgrass, but has better
fall regrowth and summer availability, if soil moisture is available. Russian wildrye is an excellent dryland pasture grass that is palatable to all livestock. It tolerates close
grazing better than most grasses and regrows quickly. A good strategy is to graze lightly in the spring, saving regrowth for
late summer and fall when other grasses are not available.
=====Grazing Grasses Colorado=====
[[File:Grass_Table.png|thumb|left| upright=2.0| Comprehensive table of grazing grasses found in Colorado]]

===South American Campos===
The South American grassland lies between 24°S and 35°S; it includes parts of Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina, and all of Uruguay. Grassland -based livestock production is very important, based on the natural grassland that covers most of the area.

Important grass species include Andropogon lateralis, Paspalum notatum and Sporobolus indicus in the Campos region.

==Africa==
*[[East Africa Grasslands]]
The grasslands of eastern Africa are very diverse, with a range of dominant species dependent on rainfall, soil type and management or grazing system. Eastern Africa is renowned as a centre of genetic diversity of tropical grasses and the centre of greatest diversity of cultivated grass species . Over 90 percent of the major cultivated forage grasses have their centre of origin in sub-Saharan Africa and are indigenous to the extensive grasslands of eastern Africa. There are an estimated 1 000 species of grass indigenous to the region, with more than 600 species found in Kenya alone . The wide distribution and adaptability of many of these species across a range of environments and management systems indicates the presence of considerable genetic diversity within the region. This diversity has been exploited to select superior ecotypes for use in many other parts of the world. [[Brachiaria]] species, originating from eastern Africa, are the most widely planted forage grass.

Themeda triandra is one of the most widespread grass species in sub-Saharan Africa but it is only the dominant grassland type in central and northern Tanzania. The species is very variable and shows wide adaptation to growth in both the highland regions and the lowland savannas. Themeda, Bothriochloa, Digitaria and Heteropogon mixtures are common in the open dry savannah areas of Tanzania, such as the Serengeti plains. Short tufted ecotypes of Themeda triandra are found at high altitudes and taller more woody types are found in the open lowland savannahs. These vary in palatability, but all types quickly lose palatability with age. Themeda triandra can tolerate light to moderate grazing, and productivity can reach 400 kg/ha/day in the wet season in the Serengeti plains, making them among the most productive grasslands in the world. Plant biomass, quality and species numbers decline in the absence of grazing, are at a peak under moderate to high grazing and can decline under very high grazing. In the Mara region in Kenya, to the north, which is a continuation of the grassland ecosystem of the Serengeti Plains, Themeda makes up about 50 percent of the grass cover in lightly to moderately grazed sites, dropping to 1-5 percent cover near settlements where Maasai corral their livestock each night.
*[[South African Grasslands]]
This region is home to large numbers of grazing and other wildlife, which are common on large-scale ranches and are increasing in importance as a managed resource.

Red oat grass is an important grazing grass for domestic livestock and wildlife and is part of the natural savanna pastures. It is highly palatable to livestock, especially when young
==References==
[http://www.ext.colostate.edu/sam/forage-guide.pdf] Colorado State University Extension: Forage Guide

Important grazing species

2015-03-04T01:44:52Z

Elehnert:

==Important Grazing Plant Species==
Understanding appropriate plant species for grazing in specific environments increases forage production and quality, encourages animal health, and discourages weed invasion. It
protects soil and increases water infiltration rates and soil organic matter content.

===Great Plains of North America===

====Colorado====
* [[ Kentucky bluegrass ]]

Kentucky bluegrass provides good grazing and tolerates[[File:Kentucky_bluegrass.png|thumb|upright=.75|Kentucky bluegrass: The species is highly palatable to horses,
cattle, and sheep. It produces relatively low yields
compared to other pasture grasses, but can be very
productive in the Northeast on closely grazed
intensive rotational grazing systems.]]
trampling but is not highly productive. Overgrazing or undergrazing
bluegrass for short periods is not harmful. Because it tolerates trampling and
overgrazing, it works well as a component of horse pastures. Keep between a
height of 2 and 6 inches. Crude protein can be 20% at maturity.

*[[ Sand bluestem ]]
Sand bluestem (Andropogon hallii) is a native, warm-season grass that grows 3 to 8 feet tall. Leaves grow 8 to 12 inches
long. It is adapted to sandy soils and helps bind them with its sod-forming growth habit. Sand bluestem provides good summer grazing and is
relished by all classes of livestock. It has only fair palatability in the winter

*[[Meadow brome ]]
Meadow brome (Bromus biebersteinii) is a cool-season grass that originated
in Southeast Asia. It is a bunchgrass with short rhizomes and grows 24 to 48
inches tall. Meadow brome is adapted to irrigated sites with silt to clay soil.
It has some drought tolerance to withstand less than full-season irrigation.
Meadow brome establishes rapidly and is more winter hardy than other irrigated grasses like orchardgrass.
Meadow brome is a good competitor, but is not as aggressive as smooth brome. It recovers faster than smooth brome from
haying or grazing. Meadow brome is highly desired by livestock and wildlife.

*[[Blue grama]]
Blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis) is a native, warm-season grass that is prevalent in
the shortgrass prairie. It is a short grass with seed stalks 8 to 24 inches tall, and
curly leaves 2 to 6 inches long. Blue grama prefers silt to clay soils and can either
grow in bunches or tight sods (i.e. sod-former). It is one of the best drought
tolerant grasses and mixes well with buffalograss, sideoats grama, western
wheatgrass, and green needlegrass.Blue grama withstands trampling and grazing very well. Because leaves grow short, it is not very
productive, but supplies excellent summer or winter pasture feed. Do not graze this grass to less than 2 inches tall. A
main reason for its drought tolerance is that it will go dormant with extended dry soil conditions. Because of this self preservation
tactic, it recovers from drought better than other grasses.

*[[ Crested Wheatgrass]]
Crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum) is a cool-season grass that originated
in Russia. All but one variety are bunchgrasses and they are adapted to a wide
range of soils. All are drought tolerant, some more than others. Crested wheatgrasses provide forage two to three weeks earlier than most other
grasses, but become dormant with hot temperatures in early June.Crested wheatgrass is very tolerant of grazing. Graze it during April and May before the grass turns
brown in early June. Forage quality is poor from June through August.

*[[ Western Wheatgrass]]
Western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii) is a cool-season, native sod-former
and a major grass on the eastern plains. Western wheatgrass is resistant to grazing and provides
good forage from spring through summer. It cures well when standing and
can be used for winter grazing. Despite stiff leaves, it rarely becomes coarse enough to prevent sheep from grazing. Like all
cool-season grasses, it needs to have an opportunity to regrow after being heavily grazed in the spring. Western wheat will
be grazed out with annual, close grazing in the spring.

*[[ Russian Wildrye]]
Russian wildrye (Psathyrostachys juncea) is a cool-season, dryland
bunchgrass that originated in central Asia. This grass
begins growth two weeks later than crested wheatgrass, but has better
fall regrowth and summer availability, if soil moisture is available. Russian wildrye is an excellent dryland pasture grass that is palatable to all livestock. It tolerates close
grazing better than most grasses and regrows quickly. A good strategy is to graze lightly in the spring, saving regrowth for
late summer and fall when other grasses are not available.
=====Grazing Grasses Colorado=====
[[File:Grass_Table.png|thumb|left| upright=2.0| Comprehensive table of grazing grasses found in Colorado]]

===South American Campos===
The South American grassland lies between 24°S and 35°S; it includes parts of Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina, and all of Uruguay. Grassland -based livestock production is very important, based on the natural grassland that covers most of the area.

Important grass species include Andropogon lateralis, Paspalum notatum and Sporobolus indicus in the Campos region.

==Africa==
*[[East Africa Grasslands]]
The grasslands of eastern Africa are very diverse, with a range of dominant species dependent on rainfall, soil type and management or grazing system. Eastern Africa is renowned as a centre of genetic diversity of tropical grasses and the centre of greatest diversity of cultivated grass species . Over 90 percent of the major cultivated forage grasses have their centre of origin in sub-Saharan Africa and are indigenous to the extensive grasslands of eastern Africa. There are an estimated 1 000 species of grass indigenous to the region, with more than 600 species found in Kenya alone . The wide distribution and adaptability of many of these species across a range of environments and management systems indicates the presence of considerable genetic diversity within the region. This diversity has been exploited to select superior ecotypes for use in many other parts of the world. [[Brachiaria]] species, originating from eastern Africa, are the most widely planted forage grass.

Themeda triandra is one of the most widespread grass species in sub-Saharan Africa but it is only the dominant grassland type in central and northern Tanzania. The species is very variable and shows wide adaptation to growth in both the highland regions and the lowland savannas. Themeda, Bothriochloa, Digitaria and Heteropogon mixtures are common in the open dry savannah areas of Tanzania, such as the Serengeti plains. Short tufted ecotypes of Themeda triandra are found at high altitudes and taller more woody types are found in the open lowland savannahs. These vary in palatability, but all types quickly lose palatability with age. Themeda triandra can tolerate light to moderate grazing, and productivity can reach 400 kg/ha/day in the wet season in the Serengeti plains, making them among the most productive grasslands in the world. Plant biomass, quality and species numbers decline in the absence of grazing, are at a peak under moderate to high grazing and can decline under very high grazing. In the Mara region in Kenya, to the north, which is a continuation of the grassland ecosystem of the Serengeti Plains, Themeda makes up about 50 percent of the grass cover in lightly to moderately grazed sites, dropping to 1-5 percent cover near settlements where Maasai corral their livestock each night.
*[[South African Grasslands]]
This region is home to large numbers of grazing and other wildlife, which are common on large-scale ranches and are increasing in importance as a managed resource.

Red oat grass is an important grazing grass for domestic livestock and wildlife and is part of the natural savanna pastures. It is highly palatable to livestock, especially when young
==References==
[http://www.ext.colostate.edu/sam/forage-guide.pdf] Colorado State University Extension: Forage Guide

Important grazing species

2015-03-04T00:21:18Z

Elehnert:

==Important Grazing Plant Species==
Understanding appropriate plant species for grazing in specific environments increases forage production and quality, encourages animal health, and discourages weed invasion. It
protects soil and increases water infiltration rates and soil organic matter content.

===Great Plains of North America===

====Colorado====
* [[ Kentucky bluegrass ]]

Kentucky bluegrass provides good grazing and tolerates[[File:Kentucky_bluegrass.png|thumb|upright=.75|Kentucky bluegrass: The species is highly palatable to horses,
cattle, and sheep. It produces relatively low yields
compared to other pasture grasses, but can be very
productive in the Northeast on closely grazed
intensive rotational grazing systems.]]
trampling but is not highly productive. Overgrazing or undergrazing
bluegrass for short periods is not harmful. Because it tolerates trampling and
overgrazing, it works well as a component of horse pastures. Keep between a
height of 2 and 6 inches. Crude protein can be 20% at maturity.

*[[ Sand bluestem ]]
Sand bluestem (Andropogon hallii) is a native, warm-season grass that grows 3 to 8 feet tall. Leaves grow 8 to 12 inches
long. It is adapted to sandy soils and helps bind them with its sod-forming growth habit. Sand bluestem provides good summer grazing and is
relished by all classes of livestock. It has only fair palatability in the winter

*[[Meadow brome ]]
Meadow brome (Bromus biebersteinii) is a cool-season grass that originated
in Southeast Asia. It is a bunchgrass with short rhizomes and grows 24 to 48
inches tall. Meadow brome is adapted to irrigated sites with silt to clay soil.
It has some drought tolerance to withstand less than full-season irrigation.
Meadow brome establishes rapidly and is more winter hardy than other irrigated grasses like orchardgrass.
Meadow brome is a good competitor, but is not as aggressive as smooth brome. It recovers faster than smooth brome from
haying or grazing. Meadow brome is highly desired by livestock and wildlife.

*[[Blue grama]]
Blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis) is a native, warm-season grass that is prevalent in
the shortgrass prairie. It is a short grass with seed stalks 8 to 24 inches tall, and
curly leaves 2 to 6 inches long. Blue grama prefers silt to clay soils and can either
grow in bunches or tight sods (i.e. sod-former). It is one of the best drought
tolerant grasses and mixes well with buffalograss, sideoats grama, western
wheatgrass, and green needlegrass.Blue grama withstands trampling and grazing very well. Because leaves grow short, it is not very
productive, but supplies excellent summer or winter pasture feed. Do not graze this grass to less than 2 inches tall. A
main reason for its drought tolerance is that it will go dormant with extended dry soil conditions. Because of this self preservation
tactic, it recovers from drought better than other grasses.

*[[ Crested Wheatgrass]]
Crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum) is a cool-season grass that originated
in Russia. All but one variety are bunchgrasses and they are adapted to a wide
range of soils. All are drought tolerant, some more than others. Crested wheatgrasses provide forage two to three weeks earlier than most other
grasses, but become dormant with hot temperatures in early June.Crested wheatgrass is very tolerant of grazing. Graze it during April and May before the grass turns
brown in early June. Forage quality is poor from June through August.

*[[ Western Wheatgrass]]
Western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii) is a cool-season, native sod-former
and a major grass on the eastern plains. Western wheatgrass is resistant to grazing and provides
good forage from spring through summer. It cures well when standing and
can be used for winter grazing. Despite stiff leaves, it rarely becomes coarse enough to prevent sheep from grazing. Like all
cool-season grasses, it needs to have an opportunity to regrow after being heavily grazed in the spring. Western wheat will
be grazed out with annual, close grazing in the spring.

*[[ Russian Wildrye]]
Russian wildrye (Psathyrostachys juncea) is a cool-season, dryland
bunchgrass that originated in central Asia. This grass
begins growth two weeks later than crested wheatgrass, but has better
fall regrowth and summer availability, if soil moisture is available. Russian wildrye is an excellent dryland pasture grass that is palatable to all livestock. It tolerates close
grazing better than most grasses and regrows quickly. A good strategy is to graze lightly in the spring, saving regrowth for
late summer and fall when other grasses are not available.
=====Grazing Grasses Colorado=====
[[File:Grass_Table.png|thumb|left| upright=2.0| Comprehensive table of grazing grasses found in Colorado]]

===South American Campos===
The South American grassland lies between 24°S and 35°S; it includes parts of Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina, and all of Uruguay. Grassland -based livestock production is very important, based on the natural grassland that covers most of the area.

Important grass species include Andropogon lateralis, Paspalum notatum and Sporobolus indicus in the Campos region.

==Africa==
*[[East Africa Grasslands]]
The grasslands of eastern Africa are very diverse, with a range of dominant species dependent on rainfall, soil type and management or grazing system. Eastern Africa is renowned as a centre of genetic diversity of tropical grasses and the centre of greatest diversity of cultivated grass species . Over 90 percent of the major cultivated forage grasses have their centre of origin in sub-Saharan Africa and are indigenous to the extensive grasslands of eastern Africa. There are an estimated 1 000 species of grass indigenous to the region, with more than 600 species found in Kenya alone . The wide distribution and adaptability of many of these species across a range of environments and management systems indicates the presence of considerable genetic diversity within the region. This diversity has been exploited to select superior ecotypes for use in many other parts of the world. [[Brachiaria]] species, originating from eastern Africa, are the most widely planted forage grass.

Themeda triandra is one of the most widespread grass species in sub-Saharan Africa but it is only the dominant grassland type in central and northern Tanzania. The species is very variable and shows wide adaptation to growth in both the highland regions and the lowland savannas. Themeda, Bothriochloa, Digitaria and Heteropogon mixtures are common in the open dry savannah areas of Tanzania, such as the Serengeti plains. Short tufted ecotypes of Themeda triandra are found at high altitudes and taller more woody types are found in the open lowland savannahs. These vary in palatability, but all types quickly lose palatability with age. Themeda triandra can tolerate light to moderate grazing, and productivity can reach 400 kg/ha/day in the wet season in the Serengeti plains, making them among the most productive grasslands in the world. Plant biomass, quality and species numbers decline in the absence of grazing, are at a peak under moderate to high grazing and can decline under very high grazing. In the Mara region in Kenya, to the north, which is a continuation of the grassland ecosystem of the Serengeti Plains, Themeda makes up about 50 percent of the grass cover in lightly to moderately grazed sites, dropping to 1-5 percent cover near settlements where Maasai corral their livestock each night.
*[[South African Grasslands]]

==References==
[http://www.ext.colostate.edu/sam/forage-guide.pdf] Colorado State University Extension: Forage Guide

Important grazing species

2015-02-25T04:52:20Z

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Important grazing species

2015-02-18T00:03:08Z

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Important grazing species

2015-02-18T00:00:50Z

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Important grazing species

2015-02-17T23:35:19Z

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File:Grass Table.png

2015-02-17T23:29:54Z

Elehnert: Comprehensive list of grazing grasses found in Colorado.

Comprehensive list of grazing grasses found in Colorado.

Important grazing species

2015-02-17T23:27:49Z

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Important grazing species

2015-02-17T23:20:21Z

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Important grazing species

2015-02-17T23:13:30Z

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Important grazing species

2015-02-17T23:08:21Z

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Important grazing species

2015-02-17T23:04:15Z

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Important grazing species

2015-02-17T23:02:29Z

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Important grazing species

2015-02-17T22:26:00Z

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Important grazing species

2015-02-17T22:23:23Z

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File:Kentucky bluegrass.png

2015-02-17T22:17:57Z

Elehnert: Poa pratensis or Kentucky bluegrass is highly palatable to horses, cattle, and sheep. It produces relatively low yields compared to other pasture grasses, but can be very productive in the Northeast on closely grazed intensive rotational grazing systems.

Poa pratensis or Kentucky bluegrass is highly palatable to horses,
cattle, and sheep. It produces relatively low yields
compared to other pasture grasses, but can be very
productive in the Northeast on closely grazed
intensive rotational grazing systems.