Building a tradition of adaptive rangeland management : Jack Southworth

Abstract

Jack Southworth runs a cow-calf-yearling operation in the high-desert rangelands and dry forests around Seneca, Oregon. Southworth has been using holistic management for decades, with a strong focus on managing for rangeland and soil health. He grazes with relatively high densities and frequent rotations, uses plant phenology to decide when to graze, has seeded degraded rangeland with a diverse seed mix with non-native perennial bunchgrasses, and monitors plant communities annually to track the soil and vegetation’s response to management. These practices, in combination with the ability and willingness to be flexible, have allowed Southworth to maintain rangeland health and an economically viable operation. This translates to a resilience that can help him manage the risks posed by changing climatic conditions. This case study is part of the Rancher-to-Rancher Case Study project, which explores innovative approaches regional ranchers are using that increase their resilience in the face of a changing climate.