'Enhancing Grasslands through Grazing Management' and Tour Caddo Grasslands – Ladonia Unit
On Friday, June 21, the Fannin Soil and Water Conservation District is partnering with the Texas Section Society for Range Management to host a Summer Grazing Tour at the Caddo National Grassland near Ladonia, TX. The focus of this meeting is “Enhancing Grasslands through Grazing Management.”
In 1937 the Caddo Grasslands was acquired by the federal government to rehabilitate this damaged landscape. In 1960 this land was transferred to the U.S. Forest Service and restoration efforts have been made without livestock. Today the U.S. Forest Service is seeking alternatives to naturally stimulate this grassland health by planned grazing and prescribed fire.
The event will begin at 9:00 am at the Fanindel ISD Cafeteria. Austin Sewell, Rangeland Specialist for the Forest Service will explain livestock integration and outline the goals of the Fannin Grazing Coalition. Then, Dr. Mort Kothmann for Texas A&M University will explain forage and livestock recordkeeping for sustainable use.
A tour will take place at 10:00 am, and the stops will include a look at the native plants that are adapted to Fannin County, forage and brush responses after prescribed fire, and a discussion on proper grass utilization. Participants on the tour will include representatives from The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, NRCS, and Texas Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative.
Lunch will be provided at noon by the Fannin SWCD, and then participants are welcome to stay for a 30 minute afternoon session on tracking grazing data year to year with “The Grazing Manager” (TGM). TGM is a decision support software system available as a free download for grazers interested in a simple way to track grass production and livestock utilization.
For further questions, contact the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service Office in Bonham at 903-583-9513 x3 or come by at 2504 North Center Street, Bonham, TX.
****Please RSVP to 903-583-9513 x3 if you plan to eat lunch.****