Grazing

Grazing has a twofold effect on fuels. Firstly, it impacts on fuel levels by the actual physical removal of fuel and secondly, the remaining fuels are compacted.

Grazing may be used to reduce fuels through routine agricultural production or through specifically targeted strategic grazing to meet fuel management objectives.

Strategic grazing programs must consider target grass fuel loads for the introduction and cessation of grazing programs, the overall management objectives of the land, the height, cover and type of grass and other fuels present as well as the surrounding fuels on both urban and rural sides of the interface.

Fuel Management Implications:

Advantages

• Grazing is a cost effective method of fuel management
• Bushfires will burn at lower intensity in grazed areas and accordingly are more readily controlled by direct attack
• Grazing during the grass growth period can maintain the pasture in a green vegative state by denying its ability to set seed and subsequeny cure; and
• Trampling of vegetation can increase the rate of decomposition of fuels.

Disadvantages

• Grasslands are, by their seasonal nature, quick to recover. Fuel levels can recover in a very short period of time. The timing of grazing is therefore an important issue to consider
• For effective fuel management by grazing there must be a high density of stock confined to the area; and
• Grazing in conservation reserves may not always be appropriate.