University of California Cooperative Extension researchers are evaluating how much fine fuel like grasses and other plants known to start fires cattle eat and how their feeding behavior may affect flame activity. There is more to learn, but it this preliminary study shows cattle may be valuable in reducing fire risk.
. . . without cattle grazing, there would be hundreds to thousands of additional pounds of fine fuels per acre of land, which could lead to larger and more severe fires.”
Source: Sacramento Bee, September 11, 2020. Link.
INSIGHTS: For animal health pros familiar with managing forage with rotational grazing, this research should resonate and be worthy of following.