By Krista Ehlert
Winter often feels like the quietest season on a ranch. Grasses are dormant, cattle are settled into winter feed sources, and it can feel like the landscape is resting. Yet for range and grazing management, winter is one of the most revealing times of the year. What we observe now – long before green-up – can provide clear signals on how last season’s management affected the land and what adjustments may be needed for the coming year. Dormant plants tell the truth. They don’t hide their response to grazing pressure behind fresh growth or moisture-driven recovery. For this reason, winter is an ideal time to “read the range,” using simple visual assessments to understand forage carryover, plant vigor, ground cover, and areas that you may need to provide some more recovery for before the next grazing season.
Why dormant-season assessment matters
Rangelands enter winter carrying the story of the previous year – every decision about timing, duration, rotation speed, stocking rate, and distribution leaves an imprint on the landscape. While spring and summer monitoring is essential, winter offers a perspective that is less influenced by active plant growth and more reflective of long-term trends.
From a management standpoint, winter assessments can provide three benefits:
- Clarity
With dormant plants, it’s easier to see residual height, stubble distribution, litter cover (a.k.a. soil armor), and patches that received heavy or light use. - Predictive value
Dormant-season condition strongly influences how plants respond once growth begins in the spring. - Decision readiness
Early detection of problems gives managers time to adjust stocking rates, plan rest periods, or target infrastructure improvements before the grazing season starts.
In other words, winter provides the opportunity to look back with precision so spring can begin with intention.
Source : sdstate.edu