USDADetermining Range Condition andKS-ECS-11

NRCSEvaluating Forage Preferences and UsesRev. 4/04

Name: Date: Ident. No.:

Legal Desc.: Range Site: Field No.: County:

A. Species Potential and Present / B. Percent in Climax / C. Present Composition / D. Percent Climax Present / E. 1/Interpretation Plant Preference or Use by Kind of Animal
(i.e., cattle, quail, prairie chicken)
Pounds / Percent
TOTAL / 2/Range Condition:
F. Range Trend: / G. Percent Canopy Cover: / H. Estimated Safe Initial StockRate for this Site:
(Check one)
Up Static Down / I. Total Estimated Stocking Rate in Excellent Condition:

1/ Interpretations legend:

* Key Grazing Plant

H High Grazing Preference

M Medium GrazingPreference

L Low Grazing Preference

C Used for Cover

F Used for Food

N Used for Nesting

(more)

USDADetermining Range Condition andKS-ECS-11

NRCSEvaluating Forage Preferences and UsesPage 2

INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE OF FORM KS-ECS-11:

A) List all species found on inventory site. Potential species may be listed for a comparison of present and potential.

B) List the percentage present in the climax or potential as shown on the range condition guide.

C) Clipped weights or weight estimates should be shown in the “Pounds” column. The percentage of the present composition,based on weight, should be shown in the percent column. Total for percent column should equal 100 percent.

D) Show the percent of climax or potential present. This is always the lesser percentage figure from column B and C. The total of column D gives range condition or the percent of climax or potential plants that are currently present on the site.

E) Rate species for preference by livestock and/or use by wildlife. The four columns may be used to list the preference of species (high, medium, low) by livestock or the use of the species (cover, food, nesting) by wildlife for up to four classes oflivestock.

F) Show the current vegetative trend of the site.

G) Where applicable, record the over-story canopy as a percent of cover.

H) Estimate “safe” initial stocking rate based on past stocking and use history as shown in the technical range site description.

I) Show the total estimated yield in climax or potential as shown in the technical range site description.

2/Range condition is the percent of present plants that are climax; Excellent = 76-100,

Good = 51-75, Fair = 26-50, Poor = 0-25.

NOTE: As needed, original may be left with the cooperator and a copy placed in the conservation plan folder.