JPT - 3/4/2016 19:27

Little blue is one of the toughest and last to leave of the very desirable "big four" little blue, big blue, indian grass, switch grass. There are hundreds of species of grasses and forbs in native tall grass prairie range, some are considered less desirable and increasers and some more desirable and decreasers based on grazing pressure and management. Some of the more desirable species are stimulated by a hot fire, Big Bluestem being one of them. Myself and my family do not have a lot of native range but I try to take care of what we do have. I have been fortunate to get to day work on some of the ranches around the area and just getting to see the country is something else. I personally have seen a major increase in big blue after one year of a good hot fire. On a good year big blue can get 6, 7 even 8 ft tall if left ungrazed. I'm not saying burning is the answer to all the management issues of native range, it is not. Sericea Lespedeza has become a major problem for native range and is not controlled by burning, and yes burning is hard on fence.