Grazing Nassella: Maintaining Purple Needlegrass in a Sea of Aggressive Annuals

On the Ground Purple needlegrass responds positively to early spring grazing that reduces competition from invasive annuals. Rest during flowering allows for seed set and re-growth before soil moisture is depleted. Dry season grazing can create a harsh soil surface microclimate during germination and seedling establishment of competing annuals the following year. Purple needlegrass is not preferred by grazing livestock during the dry season, but high stock densities can increase its utilization. Purple needlegrass responds positively to early spring grazing that reduces competition from invasive annuals. Rest during flowering allows for seed set and re-growth before soil moisture is depleted. Dry season grazing can create a harsh soil surface microclimate during germination and seedling establishment of competing annuals the following year. Purple needlegrass is not preferred by grazing livestock during the dry season, but high stock densities can increase its utilization.