Prescribed Burning in the Northern Great Plains: Yield and Cover Responses of 3 Forage Species in the Mixed Grass Prairie

Abstract

Prescribed burning was conducted in the fall and spring to evaluate the effects of fire on productivity of 3 forage species. Yield measurements were obtained throughout the growing season at biweekly intervals on western wheatgrass, blue grama, and threadleaf sedge. Supplementary measurements were made on vegetation cover and soil moisture. Herbage yield depended upon individual species, sampling date, and treatment. Spring burning of western wheatgrass and blue grama stimulated production by mid- and late-June, whereas fall burning also stimulated productivity but to a lesser degree. Production of threadleaf sedge was relatively unaffected by spring burning and reduced by fall burning. Fire can be used as a management practice to increase forage yield in the Northern Great Plains, but timing of utilization by livestock must receive careful consideration to assure maximum benefit.