Grassland Evaluation Contest Study Guide	Fifth Edition: October 2005
Wildlife Habitat
Three Types of Grasslands: Cool-season grasslands or pastures are dominated by those grasses that grow best during the cool spring and fall of the year. These grasses begin their growth early in the spring when the soil temperature reaches forty degrees (F). Their growth slows during the warmest part of summer when the soil temperature nears eighty degrees and resumes again as the soil cools in the fall. Cool-season grasses have been popular with farmers because they are easy to establish and respond to heavy fertilization. Most of these grasses continue to be productive, but tall fescue has been found to cause some health problems in livestock when it.s infected with an endophyte fungus. Some examples of these grasses are fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, bromegrass, timothy and orchard grass. Cool-season grasses are usually grazed to within two to four inches height. Grazing below this height will result in lower production, increased soil erosion and less wildlife use. These grasses are normally at their peak quality and ready for cutting for hay during the peak nesting period for many ground nesting birds such as bobwhite quail. Warm-season grasslands or pastures are dominated by those grasses that grow best when the weather is hot and the soil temperature high. These grasses begin growing when the soil is around sixty degrees (F) and continue to grow during the warmest months of the year until the soil temperature reaches nearly ninety degrees (F). Although warm-season grasses have a shorter growing season, they make more efficient use of water and soil nutrients--nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium-- than do other grasses. However, studies have shown that yields, crude protein, estimated net energy, digestibility, and relative feeding values were increased in big bluestem/Indiangrass hay when the grasses were fertilized with nitrogen. The major increases occurred at rates of fifty or one hundred pounds of nitrogen per acre, with fifty pounds per acre giving the greatest return on the dollar invested. (Note: This applies only to new plantings of warm-season grasses and not to remnant native prairies). Some examples of these grasses that are used in grazing systems are big bluestem, Indiangrass, side-oats grama, little bluestem and switchgrass. Warm-season native grasses should not be grazed closer than eight inches in height. Since warm-season grasses begin their growth later in the year, they are not ready to be grazed until mid- summer, when most of the ground-nesting wildlife have hatched or produced their broods. The "structure" or the way the grass grows is important to wildlife. The tall, stiff, upright stems and elevated leaves of most warm-season grasses can effectively reduce both wind speed and wind chill as they effect warm-blooded animals. The plants can soften the impact of rain drops and modify both humidity and transpiration extremes when compared to the cool-season grasses. These traits can provide a more favorable reproduction condition for ground nesting birds and mammals. Studies show that compared to a corn field, the ground-level temperature of a native warm-season grass field will be twenty-one degrees (F) cooler and the humidity will be twenty-nine percent higher during mid June. Both environmental conditions are ideal for the production of young quail, whose hatching peak will be around June 15. The "clumpyness" of the native, warm-season grasses also allow free movement of animals along travel lanes beneath their protective cover. Rodents and smaller birds are able to climb into the clump to escape drowning rains. The above growth characteristics of warm-season grasses allow for the presence of both plant and animal diversity. The growth of various broadleaf plants and the presence of many kinds of insects and spiders, make ideal growing conditions for young quail and songbirds that are just leaving their nests in search of food. Native grasslands are dominated by a mixture of warm-season grasses. Missouri.s native grasslands, or native prairies, once covered nearly one-third of the state. A remnant prairie is a tract, usually small in size that has never been disturbed by plowing. The different plant species found growing on these sites can number into the hundreds. This diversity of plant species can make them very attractive to several species of wildlife. In west, central and north central Missouri, these remnant prairies are vital to the survival of the prairie chicken. Native prairie remnants, when grazed moderately, will provide excellent summer pasture. Grazing should begin about May 15, when the vegetation is eight to ten inches in height. Native prairies should not be grazed after August 15, and no lower than eight inches in height to allow for some regrowth before they become dormant in the fall of the year. Native prairie remnants provide quality hay. Recommended haying period is July. Earlier or later haying (June or late August/September) can have a negative affect on both yield and quality of the hay. The timing of haying within the recommended dates will also dictate the types of plants that will persist within a prairie. Early - mid July will stimulate grasses over time, while late July . early mid August will stimulate forbs. Varying the haying dates within the framework will help maintain a more balanced prairie with greater diversity. Prairie remnants should not be fertilized or limed unless they are in excellent condition, since the fertilizer may be used by undesirable weedy plants. Native prairies already contain several beneficial legumes and should never be over seeded to increase production. Prescribed burns should be completed during the spring of the year. Earlier burns (February to mid March) will encourage the growth of more broad leaves and forbs, while later burns in late March to mid April will encourage the production of the grasses. However, prescribed burns can be conducted year around, depending on management goals and slope conditions. Fall burns will help reduce invasion of woody species and will stimulate forbs. Late winter burns will also stimulate forbs. As with haying dates, it is important to vary the timing to maintain the diversity and overall health of the prairie. CAUTION: Use fire with great care. Experienced personnel are available to assist in the planning of prescribed burns. Return to Grassland Evaluation Contest Study Guide