Rangeland Seeding

sheep grazing on rangeland

Rangeland seeding is a way of restoring degraded land while providing forage for livestock at the same time. Perennial or self-sustaining plants such as grasses, forbs, legumes, shrubs and trees are used that are appropriate for the soil and climate conditions and for the nutritional needs of the livestock grazing it. As the roots of the plants grow deep they promote soil health by building soil organic matter, increasing soil nutrients and improving water infiltration. Additional benefits are reductions in soil erosion by wind or water and increased carbon sequestration. It is recommended to use a mix of seeds to increase biodiversity. Using native versus non-native species is more likely to bring success.

Download a printable fact sheet based on this page. (PDF)

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Mentor Farmers
Videos
Websites and Resources
Free Publications
Science Literature

Mentor-Farmer who Discusses Rangeland Seeding

Paicines Ranch(opens in new window)

Videos

Managing for Diversity—Paicines Ranch

Rangeland seeding is a good way to increase diversity on rangeland. In this very short video Paicines ranch co-owner Sallie Calhoun describes why diversity is a good thing.

Paicines Ranch, Part 1

Claudio Nunez of Paicines Ranch talks about experiments they are doing with rangeland overseeding and livestock managed grazing as a tool for reclaiming highly degraded rangeland. Included is how both tactics work together to help them compete with conventional grain-fed cattle producers.

Overseeding Pastures Using Your Livestock to Get Better Stands of Forages

Regenerative rotational grazing rancher Russ Wilson describes the process and how they no longer need to use no till drilling because of his success using this method.

Plant Materials Video Technical Note TX-PM-16-03: Grain Drills and Planters

This video by USDA-NRCS-Texas provides information on the basic operations of grain drills and planters used for rangeland seeding.

Websites and Resources

Seeding Part 1: Sow, You Want to Seed Your Rangeland or Irrigated Pasture

Information for California on reasons to seed, what to seed, seeding success, how to do it, where to buy seed, etc. by Devii R. Rao.

Natural Resources Conservation Service Conservation Practice Standard: Forage And Biomass Planting (Ac.) Code 512

Definition and criteria for a variety of purposes.

(PDF)

NRCS Conservation Practice Standard Range Planting Code 550

The seeding and establishment of herbaceous and woody species for the improvement of vegetation composition and productivity of the plant community to meet management goals.

(PDF)

NRCS Plant Materials Site

Conservation plants and innovative planting technology to address today's natural resource challenges and to maintain healthy and productive farms, ranches, and forests.

USDA-NRCS Crop Nutrient Content Tool

Estimates of the nutrient content in harvested plant biomass for many different crops.

Seeding Rangelands After Fire

Advice and links useful for successful reseeding and applying for financial assistance. From UCANR.

Free Publications

Assessment of Range Planting as a Conservation Practice

Factors in assessments including selection of plant materials, seed quality, planting methods, use of mulch, seed depth, seeding rate, etc. Includes recommendations for a variety of purposes.

Decorative illustration from the cover of the publication

Rangeland Cover Types of the United States

By Thomas N. Shiflet, editor, published by the Society for Range Management.

(PDF)

Seeded Range Plants for California

Grasses and legumes currently used for range reseeding and disturbed land reclamation in California. By UCANR.

Restoration Manual for Annual Grassland Systems in California

An overview to many activities associated with California grassland and rangeland restoration.

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Calculating Seeding Rates for Conservation Plantings

Applying seed at the proper rate creates a balance between costs, weed suppression, and stand health.

(PDF)

Conservation Planting Methods for Native and Introduced Species

Plant Materials Technical Note No. 14 from the USDA-NRCS. Special focus on methods of seeding and equipment used.

(PDF)

Soil Carbon Sequestration in United States Rangelands

The importance of achieving a balanced solution at a viable cost, and provide the economic and social incentives for adoption of enhanced management.

(PDF)

Science Literature

Brown, C., and R. Bugg. 2001. Effects of established perennial grasses on introduction of native forbs in California(opens in new window). Restoration Ecology 9:38–48.

Brudvig, L. 2010. The restoration of biodiversity: Where has research been and where does it need to go?(opens in new window) American Journal of Botany 98:549–558.

Cameron, D., J. Marty, and R. Holland. 2014. Whither the rangeland?: Protection and conversion in California’s rangeland ecosystems(opens in new window). PLoS ONE 9:e103468.

Davy, J., Dykier, K., Turri, T. and Gornish, E., 2017. Forage seeding in rangelands increases production and prevents weed invasion(opens in new window). California Agriculture, 71(4), pp.239-248. Last accessed 12/21/2018.

De Deyn, G., R. Shiel, N. Ostle, et al. 2010. Additional carbon sequestration benefits of grassland diversity restoration(opens in new window). Journal of Applied Ecology 48:600–608.

Fynn, A.J., Alvarez, P., Brown, J.R., George, M.R., Kustin, C., Laca, E.A., Oldfield, J.T., Schohr, T., Neely, C.L. & Wong, C.P. 2009. Soil carbon sequestration in United States rangelands. Issues paper for protocol development(opens in new window). New York, NY, USA, Environmental Defense Fund.

Gomez-Aparicio, L. 2009. The role of plant interactions in the restoration of degraded ecosystems: A meta-analysis across life-forms and ecosystems(opens in new window). Journal of Ecology 97:1202–1214.

Montalvo, A., P. McMillan, and E. Allen. 2002. The relative importance of seeding method, soil ripping, and soil variables on seeding success(opens in new window). Restoration Ecology 10:52–67.

Potthoff, M., L. Jackson, K. Steenwerth, et al. 2005. Soil biological and chemical properties in restored perennial grassland in California(opens in new window). Restoration Ecology 13:61–73.

Pywell, R., J. Bullock, D. Roy, et al. 2003. Plant traits as predictors of performance in ecological restoration.(opens in new window) Journal of Applied Ecology 40:65–77.

Suttle, K., and M. Thomsen. 2007. Climate change and grassland restoration in California: Lessons from six years of rainfall manipulation in a north coast grassland(opens in new window). Madroño 54:225–233.

Single Page Fact Sheets on Range Planting by San Mateo Resource Conservation District

Download fact sheet on range planting. (PDF)

Download fact sheet on range planting in Spanish. (PDF)