Rancher Vandalism on the Dixie National Forest

[Judi Lynn]

Last edited Mon Nov 8, 2021, 11:21 AM - Edit history (1)

NOVEMBER 8, 2021

BY GEORGE WUERTHNER



I recently spent a few days on the Dixie National Forest in southern Utah. One of the defining characteristics of the forest is that nearly all the acreage that is not a cliff or inaccessible canyon is used for cattle grazing. And without exception, almost all allotments are overgrazed and abused. Nearly all the allotments I visited were grazed down to golf course height or even bare dirt.

What I saw is essentially legalized vandalism. For example, if I were to tear down a Forest Service sign, I could be fined or perhaps even arrested, but you can easily replace a sign. This ecological damage is much more severe and long-lasting, yet the Forest Service does nothing to preclude it.

Incredibly, the “range cons” who are supposed to monitor and manage the livestock grazing here can somehow look at themselves in the mirror in the morning and still accept taxpayer-supported salaries while allowing this vandalism to occur.

Why is such abusive grazing terrible for the public? To start with, when the grass is cropped to one inch or less height, there is no hiding cover for small rodents, ground-nesting birds, and other wildlife. Such heavy grazing also leaves little forage for other native herbivores, from ground squirrels to elk.

Short grass exposes the soil to more evapotranspiration and enhances desertification, which is already the dominant feature of this part of Utah.

More:
https://www.counterpunch.org/2021/11/08/rancher-vandalism-on-the-dixie-national-forest/

[2naSalit]

1. Exposing the other Bundy-like criminals.

I know Mr. Wuerthener, it's worth reading his articles which he publishes at:

https://www.thewildlifenews.com/

[MuseRider]

2. It is so easy

to not let this happen. One reason fences may be good is to move the animals to another area so nothing gets like this. This is sad. What will come back will not be good unless someone wants to spend a fortune on pasture renovation, true native seed and time.

[mountain grammy]

3. This is the second post on this subject... K&R

and I'll kick it everytime I see it.

[Duppers]

4. K & R

[Bayard]

5. Combat the propaganda

Wild mustangs are being blamed for the damage done by private cattle herds.

Private cattle ranchers are knowingly overgrazing their herds on federal lands. The BLM is allowing the cattle to overgraze and continue to allow the increase of the number of cattle while, at the same time, continue to lower grazing fees.

"Forage Intake: Horse versus Cattle
Cattle are much less picky than horses about what they eat, and they eat a lot!

Cattle eat consistently for approximately 12 hours, and can eat up to 130 pounds of grass and forage per day. Because they will eat almost anything in front of them, they are ideal to clear high grasses that grow out in the wild. Unfortunately, this also clears all of the natural forage for any other wildlife that might live there.

There are numerous studies done on the destructive force that grazing cattle have on our environment. Not only do cattle increase methane and other greenhouse gasses, their foraging habits create very real fire dangers that can decimate the natural ecosystem. Cattle can also negatively change the soil characteristics and can also prevent future plant growth. Overall, cattle move very little, but must eat a lot, meaning that they completely consume all of the natural plants and grasses in a small area.

Horses on the other hand, are very picky and roam more when they eat. Horses will refuse to eat a number of different plants, instead feasting on the grasses that are available. A typical 1,000 pound horses will eat approximately 20-25 pounds of grass per day.

That’s 130 pounds of food versus 25 pounds."

https://www.hanaeleh.org/horses-versus-cattle-truth-behind-grazing-rights/

That's info I pulled up quickly. You can google tons of it--difference between how horses graze and cattle.

[Duppers]

6. Thank you for posting this!