Extension Bulletin Breaks Down Livestock vs. Wildlife Grazing Competition

A new bulletin from the University of Wyoming Extension covers livestock and wildlife grazing competition and the facts leading to dietary overlap.

“Dietary Composition and Conflicts of Livestock and Wildlife on Rangeland” explains the distinctions between types of roughages and the physiological reasons why animals prefer grazing on certain plant types.

Derek Scasta, assistant professor and extension rangeland specialist, says, “The interaction of livestock and wildlife on rangeland is an issue of concern not only for ranchers and wildlife managers, but the general public.”

He says wild horses and their impact on rangelands have recently raised additional considerations.

“In particular, competition for food resources can help guide decisions for grazing timing, duration and location,” he says.

To download the bulletin, go to http://www.uwyo.edu/ces and click Publications on the left-hand side of the page. Type "B-1260" in the Search Publications field and follow the prompts.