Our Research
The Nebraska Sandhills region is one of the largest intact native grasslands remaining in the world. Sandhills grasslands are used primarily for beef cattle production, but these native environments also provide important wildlife and plant species habitat, wetlands and water infiltration for recharge of the Great Plains aquifer, and other ecosystem services such as recreation. Vegetation management typically includes a combination of grazing strategies, mechanical and chemical control of invasive plants, and, less frequently, prescribed fire. Tradeoffs that occur among competing ecosystem services (e.g., soil health, cattle weight gain, economic return, wildlife diversity) and disservices (e.g., invasive species, low plant diversity, compromised soils) must be evaluated and quantified when making management decisions that have consequences for sustaining livelihoods.
In 2021, the University of Nebraska launched the Collaborative Adaptive Management (CAM) Project to address risks and uncertainties related to grassland management in the Sandhills. This project focuses on evaluating stakeholder-driven management plans in a collaborative setting at Barta Brothers Ranch (BBR) near Bassett, NE. This emphasis on co-producing science ensures CAM reflects real-world ranching conditions of the Sandhills and the north-central Great Plains.
Preliminary Results
The preliminary study results from the first year of the Collaborative Adaptive Management (CAM) project at Barta Brothers Ranch focused on evaluating grassland management strategies in Nebraska’s Sandhills. The project used a burn/graze system, which led to increased livestock weight gain and improved bird diversity. Although burned areas showed more erosion, it remained within acceptable limits. There were no significant differences in total annual plant production between burned and unburned areas. These findings indicated that prescribed burning could be used alongside grazing without negatively impacting forage production or soil stability.
Final Results
Research from 2022-2023 showed that burning and grazing had minimal effects on total forage production, with a slight reduction in cool-season grass growth due to late burns. Burned pastures attracted cattle, boosting weight gain by 36–43 pounds. Prescribed fire had little impact on soil erosion and nutrient levels. Additionally, bird diversity increased in burned areas, suggesting improved habitat. These findings supported the continuation of patch-burn grazing.
