U.S. flagAn official website of the United States government
                    Here's how you know **Official websites use .gov**
                            
                            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
 **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                            
                            A **lock** (                            
                              A locked padlock                                                      
                            
                            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.


Menu Agricultural Research Service
						
                    U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 Wheat, Sorghum and Forage Research: Lincoln, NE
 close



    Research

                    Research Projects
                                    Publications
                                    Collaborations
                                    News
                People

                    Staff Listing
                                    CareersSearch small
                    Search
            
            ARS Home
                                About ARS
                                Contact Us




ARS Home Plains Area Lincoln, Nebraska Wheat, Sorghum and Forage Research Research Publications at this Location





- ARS National Programs
- Search for a scientific manuscript
- Search for a research project
- ARS Software
- Programs and Projects
- Collaborations
- Subjects of Investigation
- Publications

Title:   Author  item
                                            Mitchell, Robert

                                                         - *Rob*item
                                            LARSEN, DANA - USDA, NRCS
  Submitted to: Symposium Proceedings
                                    Publication Type: Proceedings
                                    Publication Acceptance Date: 8/7/2007
                                    Publication  Date: 8/7/2007
                                    Citation: Mitchell, R., Larsen, D. 2007. Managing Grasslands with Fire: Potential Benefits to Livestock Producers. Symposium Proceedings 2007 Nebraska Grazing Conference P. 72-75, 2007.Interpretive Summary: Prescribed burning can provide many benefits to livestock producers, and is an important tool for managing grasslands. A single prescribed fire can be used to control eastern redcedar, increase warm-season grass production and nutritive value, and improve animal performance. However, there is an inherent risk associated with prescribed burning. Prescribed fires are applied in a specific place at a specific time under specific conditions to meet specific management objectives, whereas wildfires are unplanned and occur as a result of lightning or human negligence and can have an undesirable effect on plant communities. Safe and effective prescribed burning requires training, planning, and site preparation.  Experienced prescribed fire applicators must use caution to minimize the risks associated with prescribed fires. However, with proper planning and skilled application, prescribed fire can provide an excellent return on investment for livestock producers.
                                Technical Abstract: Fire occurred naturally in grasslands and is the oldest method used by humans to manipulate grasslands. Today, fires are typically identified as wildfires or prescribed fires. Wildfires are unplanned and occur as a result of lightning or human negligence and can have an undesirable effect on plant communities. Prescribed fires are applied in a specific place at a specific time under specific conditions to meet specific management objectives.  Special considerations are given to wind speed and direction, soil moisture, fuel load, ambient air temperature, relative humidity, fuel moisture and volatility, and plant growth stage. Prescribed fire can be used to meet many management objectives simultaneously in warm-season grasslands.  For the livestock producer in Nebraska, a single prescribed fire can be used to control eastern redcedar, increase warm-season grass production and nutritive value, and improve animal performance. Grassland response to prescribed burning is complex and its use must be considered based on well-defined management objectives for a specific site.


Return to top


Connect with ARS Sign up


ARS Home
                            USDA.gov
                            Plain Writing
                            Policies & Links
                            Civil Rights Statements
                            FOIA
                            Accessibility Statement
                            Privacy Policy
                            Non-Discrimination Statement
                            Quality of Information
                            USA.gov
                            WhiteHouse.gov