West Texas Rangelands
West Texas RangelandsWe hope to provide a variety of science-based rangeland information and current research on prescribed fire, wildfires, brush management, and grazing management!

Mesquite Seedling Mastery – New Insights on Limiting Mesquite Recruitment with Fire

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Article written by Hayden Webb
West Texas Rangelands Intern
Graduate Student – Texas A&M University

It is no mystery that honey mesquite is one of the most difficult brush species for West Texas landowners to manage. Its ability to resprout and its deep root system make it one of the most resilient plants on Texas rangelands. Because of these traits, long-term control often requires herbicide treatment.

Prescribed fire is the most cost-effective brush management tool available to landowners (Van Liew et al. 2012), but it often struggles to overcome mesquite’s well-protected bud bank—the source of its ability to resprout. Research has shown that while fire is effective at top-killing mesquite, its ability to achieve true mortality, or root kill, is much lower than desired. In a 2022 Texas A&M study, high-intensity fires top-killed 100% of mesquite trees, but only 29% of those trees failed to resprout (Starns et al. 2022). Although this was the highest mortality rate achieved by fire in recent mesquite studies, researchers had to add extra fuel around the base of each tree to create fire intensities that would be difficult to achieve under natural conditions.

While this study demonstrated that fire can kill mesquite roots even outside drought conditions, these mortality rates still do not compare to those achieved with herbicides such as Sendero or Remedy.

All is not lost for landowners hoping to reduce mesquite recruitment with prescribed fire. A North Texas study published this year by Ansley et al. provides new insight into the vulnerability of mesquite seedlings to fire and identifies the factors that most influence seedling mortality.

Infographic titled "Mesquite Seedling Mastery" explaining how to limit mesquite recruitment with fire.
Fire Temperature Duration
Laboratory studies have long suggested that plant tissue dies when exposed to temperatures of at least 140°F for one minute or longer (Van Wagner, 1973). However, it has remained unclear whether these findings apply to woody resprouting species in field conditions.

Ansley et al. found that to maximize root kill in mesquite seedlings between 0 and 2 years old, temperatures at the soil surface must remain at or above 140°F for at least two minutes. Under these conditions, summer fires achieved mortality rates greater than 84%, regardless of fuel type.

The fact that these mortality rates were only achieved when heat remained at the soil surface for a sufficient amount of time suggests that the tissues responsible for resprouting are still located above ground in very young seedlings. Because soil is an excellent insulator, fire-induced mortality may only be possible until those resprouting tissues move below the soil surface as the plant matures.

Predictors of Seedling Mortality
The strongest predictor of mesquite seedling mortality was flame length, followed by fire temperature duration. As flame lengths increase, the hottest part of the fire moves farther away from the soil surface. As a result, longer flames may actually reduce the likelihood of root kill because less heat is concentrated where it is needed most.

Wind is a major factor that increases flame length, but it also speeds up the movement of the fire front. Landowners hoping to maximize mesquite seedling mortality should recognize that summer burns and headfires may produce taller flames and faster-moving fires. In some cases, the fire may not remain over a seedling long enough to maintain the recommended two-minute heating period at the soil surface.

Importance of Fire Season and Fuel Load
Both fire season and fuel load play important roles in producing the fire behavior needed to kill mesquite seedlings. The highest temperatures and longest heating durations occurred during summer burns, and the greatest mortality rates were also achieved during the summer.

Conditions common during summer burns, including high temperatures, low fuel moisture, stronger winds, and rainfall deficits, help create more intense fires. High fuel loads, especially in tallgrass prairie ecosystems, further increase fire intensity and improve the chances of achieving seedling mortality.

Because the study found lower mortality rates during winter burns and in mixed-grass systems with lower fuel loads, landowners should consider taking advantage of summer burn opportunities whenever possible.

The Big Takeaway
Managing woody resprouting plants remains one of the greatest challenges facing Texas landowners and rangeland managers. Honey mesquite is especially difficult to control because its belowground bud bank allows it to survive drought, disturbance, and even fire.

However, prescribed fire can help limit future mesquite recruitment by killing seedlings between 0 and 2 years of age. To achieve mortality, temperatures at the soil surface must reach at least 140°F and remain there for a minimum of two minutes. Landowners can improve their chances of meeting these conditions by burning during summer windows and allowing fine fuels to accumulate before a prescribed burn.

Citations:

Ansley, R. J. et al. (2026) Effect of Fuel Load, Fire Season, and Fire Temperature Duration on Honey Mesquite Seedling Mortality. Rangeland Ecology & Management 106:24-46

Van Liew, D. et al. (2012) An economic comparison of prescribed extreme fire and alternative methods for managing invasive brush species in Texas: a modeling approach. The Open Agricultural Journal 6.1

Starns, Heath, et al. “Prosopis glandulosa persistence is facilitated by differential protection of buds during low-and high-energy fires.” Journal of Environmental Management 303(2022) 114141

Van Wagner, C. E. (1973) Height of Crown Scorch in Forest Fires.Canadian Journal for Restoration. 3: 373-378.

Take What You Need & Let The Range Succeed: Principles of Sustainable Grazing

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Article written by Mr. Burkes Kissire, Sutton County 4-H Member

When looking out into a rangeland, you might think that all the grass you see can be fully grazed, but when you look a little deeper into the subject, you begin to realize that you may be wrong.

Rangelands are the most valuable resource available to livestock producers in Texas. A well-managed rangeland can easily sustain both livestock and wildlife, while also maintaining healthy soil. However, these resources can decline quickly when overused. One of the most recommended grazing practices is the Take 50%, Leave 50% concept. While simple in theory, this management practice can have significant impacts on the long-term health and the productivity of your land.

Take 50%, Leave 50% is exactly what the name suggests: only half the edible forages should be removed from the pasture. Importantly, this must be based on the weight of the edible forage, rather than the height of the plant. Different plants grow differently, making height an unreliable factor for estimating. By only focusing on the amount of forage used, rangeland managers can better manage their plants and rangelands and ensure that plants retain enough leafy material to recover the lost material efficiently and quickly.

Leaving half of the plant is essential for the plant’s health since plants rely on their leaves to capture available sunlight and produce energy they need through photosynthesis. When too much of the leaf is grazed, the plant goes into a state of emergency, in which the plant begins to use energy stored in the roots for regrowth. Depending on how much leaf was removed, a portion of the roots will stop growing. In contrast, when 50% or more of the leaf material remains and contributes to photosynthesis, the plant recovers more quickly, leading to more efficient plant growth and healthier roots.

Proper grazing affects the roots more than you think. A pasture full of healthy plants has a healthy root system that helps hold soil in place and helps hold water during a drought. Deep roots allow water to infiltrate the soil, instead of running off and eroding your soil. Healthy rangelands also promote nutrient cycling as plant material decomposes and returns nutrients to the soil. Over time, these processes and cycles will lead to better soil health, cleaner groundwater, and a more drought-resistant rangeland for years to come.

Applying the Take 50%, Leave 50% principle starts with understanding the amount available forage. Rangeland managers can visually estimate the amount of plant life in a pasture, but for precise measurements, you should weigh the grass. Begin by marking out a random square yard in your pasture, clip and weigh the grass, then convert this weight into pounds per acre. Knowing the exact amount of forage production in your pasture can help prevent overstocking and ensure that the plant retains enough material to regenerate.

Each livestock species selects different plants, making your choice of livestock very important. Cattle primarily graze taller grasses, and graze less selectively than other livestock species. Sheep graze shorter grasses, legumes, and other plants native to where they live. In contrast to both cattle and sheep, goats prefer browse, similar to a white-tail deer. Because each species has its preference, you can allow multiple species to graze or browse the same pasture to maximize operation. For example, if you have a pasture dominated by grasses that also has a considerable amount of browse, you may consider allowing both sheep and goats to graze and browse the same pasture.

Successfully applying this principle requires more than simply gauging your forage content. Rangeland managers must also consider carrying capacity, stocking rates, growing seasons, seasonal rainfall, and pasture recovery times. Strategies such as rotational grazing and deferred grazing help you maintain the perfect ratio of forage in your pasture. During a drought, you may have to reduce your stocking rate to ensure you do not lose too much grass.

The economic benefits of proper grazing are major. A healthy rangeland produces more edible forage over time, reducing the need for supplemental feeds. Good forage quality is important since it leads to efficient weight gain and overall improves herd quality. By maintaining productive plants on productive soil, producers can avoid costly restoration efforts needed after overgrazing. Sustainable grazing practices help protect natural resources we have and profitability.

The Take 50%, Leave 50% concept has remained one of the most reliable grazing practices since it can balance production and resource conservation. Following this principle helps maintain healthy plants and soil. This combination of benefits leads to productive rangelands for future generations. While every operation is unique, this practical principle can be applied almost anywhere, with any types of grass.

Sources: Dr. Doug Tolleson, Pascual Hernandez, Tammy Fisher

Economic Incentives for Reducing Wildfire Risk

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What Landowners, Educators, and Technical Assistance Providers Should Know
Wildfire risk across Texas rangelands and working lands continues to rise. Larger fires, longer fire seasons, and increased exposure at the wildland–urban interface are no longer isolated concerns, they are becoming part of routine land management decisions. While traditional wildfire response has focused heavily on suppression, growing attention is being given to prevention and risk reduction, particularly through economic incentives that encourage proactive land stewardship.  Recent research examining economic incentives for reducing wildfire risk highlights both opportunities and challenges for landowners and those who support them through education and technical assistance.

Why Wildfire Risk Is Increasing
Several interacting forces are driving higher wildfire risk on rangelands:

  • Climate and weather variability, including hotter temperatures and more frequent droughts
  • Fuel buildup from invasive grasses, brush encroachment, and reduced disturbance
  • Land use change and fragmentation, which complicates coordinated fire management

The social and economic impacts extend beyond burned acres. Wildfires affect ranch operations, infrastructure, natural resources, insurance markets, and community safety. As a result, there is growing interest in tools that shift investments from post-fire response to pre-fire prevention.

What Are Economic Incentives for Wildfire Risk Reduction?
Economic incentives are mechanisms designed to lower the financial barriers to adopting wildfire-mitigating practices or to reward landowners for reducing risk on their properties. The research summarized in the infographic identifies four broad categories of incentives:

  1. Command-and-Control Policies – These include regulations such as burn bans, fuel treatment requirements, or zoning rules. While they can be effective in certain contexts, they often face resistance if they limit landowner flexibility or fail to account for local conditions.
  2. Information-Based Incentives – Programs such as cost-share education, outreach campaigns, and technical guidance aim to increase awareness and capacity. These approaches are common in Extension programming and are most effective when paired with financial or operational support.
  3. Market-Based Incentives
    • Cost-share programs for prescribed burning, brush management, or grazing infrastructure
    • Payments for ecosystem services
    • Insurance premium adjustments tied to risk reduction
    • Research shows that direct subsidies and cost-share programs are among the most frequently used and most studied incentive types for wildfire risk reduction.
  4. Hybrid Incentives – Hybrid approaches combine regulatory frameworks with market or informational tools. For example, insurance programs that reward compliance with fuel management standards.

Cost, Effectiveness, and Tradeoffs
One of the most important takeaways for landowners and advisors is that upfront investment matters, but long-term savings can be substantial.

  • Prescribed burning, targeted grazing, and mechanical treatments require planning and initial costs.
  • Over time, these practices can reduce wildfire suppression costs, limit infrastructure damage, and improve ecological resilience.
  • Studies summarized in the research indicate that prevention investments can yield significant cost savings compared to repeated emergency response and recovery.

However, challenges remain:

  • Incentive programs are often short-term, while wildfire risk reduction requires sustained management.
  • Programs may not align well with local ecological conditions or landowner objectives.
  • Participation can be limited by administrative burden or lack of technical support.

Implications for Extension and Technical Assistance
For Extension educators and technical assistance providers, the findings reinforce several key points:

  • Cultural context matters. Landowners are more likely to engage when incentives align with local norms, production goals, and stewardship values.
  • One-size-fits-all approaches rarely work. Flexible, locally adapted programs outperform rigid designs.
  • Education alone is not enough. Information is most effective when paired with financial or operational incentives that reduce risk and uncertainty for landowners.

Extension’s trusted role positions educators to:

  • Translate incentive opportunities into practical decision tools
  • Facilitate cooperative approaches across fence lines
  • Support landowners in navigating cost-share, insurance, and hybrid programs

Looking Ahead
As wildfire risk continues to shape rangeland management, future incentive programs are likely to place greater emphasis on:

  • Long-term contracts and sustained funding
  • Risk-based insurance models
  • Integrated approaches that combine grazing management, prescribed fire, and fuel reduction

For landowners, proactive participation in wildfire risk reduction can protect livelihoods, landscapes, and communities. For educators and technical assistance providers, aligning economic incentives with sound land management remains a powerful strategy for building more fire-resilient rangelands.

Learn More and Stay Connected
For additional resources on rangeland fire management, prescribed burning, and incentive programs, contact your local Extension office or rangeland specialist.

Building Knowledge and Confidence with the Updated Online Prescribed Burn School

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Building Knowledge and Confidence with the Updated Online Prescribed Burn School

Prescribed fire has long been a foundational tool for managing Texas rangelands, yet many landowners and land managers lack access to formal training that builds confidence to use fire safely and effectively. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension has addressed this need with the launch of a redesigned Online Prescribed Burn School for 2026, offering science‑based instruction in a flexible, self‑paced format.

The updated course reflects decades of research and applied experience across Texas landscapes. It is designed for landowners, ranchers, and land management professionals who want to better understand fire behavior and planning, improve decision-making, and reduce risk when applying prescribed fire as a land management tool.

Why Prescribed Fire Matters on Texas Rangelands

Fire is not new to Texas rangelands. Historically, fire occurred frequently and shaped plant communities, wildlife habitat, and forage productivity. When fire is removed from the system, woody plants often increase, fuel structure changes, and grasslands can lose productivity and diversity.

Prescribed fire can help manage brush, improve forage distribution, recycle nutrients, and restore ecological processes that benefit both livestock and wildlife. However, fire is also a tool that requires planning, preparation, and a clear understanding of weather, fuels, and safety considerations. Education is essential to ensure prescribed fire is applied appropriately and responsibly.

What the Updated Online Prescribed Burn School Offers

The Online Prescribed Burn School is a self‑guided course delivered through AgriLife Learn. The program consists of 12 modules and provides participants with the background and practical knowledge needed to confidently apply prescribed fire.

Topics covered in the course include the ecology and history of fire, basic fire behavior principles, fuels and weather considerations, topography, firing techniques, equipment, smoke management, and burn planning. The course also addresses laws and regulations related to prescribed burning in Texas, helping participants understand their responsibilities as burners.

Participants can complete the course at their own pace, which makes it accessible to working landowners and professionals balancing multiple demands. The total instructional time is approximately 24 hours, and a certificate of completion is provided upon finishing the course.

Connecting Education to Certification

One important feature of the Online Prescribed Burn School is its connection to the Texas Department of Agriculture Certified and Insured Prescribed Burn Manager program. Individuals who complete the course become eligible to pursue the official exam and field component required for certification, provided they meet TDA experience requirements.

This pathway helps expand the number of trained and qualified prescribed fire practitioners across the state. Increasing this capacity is especially important in regions like West Texas, where large properties, variable weather, and fuel conditions present unique management challenges.

Learning from Experienced Prescribed Fire Professionals

The course is instructed by AgriLife Extension prescribed fire experts, including Dr. Morgan Treadwell, Professor and Extension Range Specialist, and David Brooke, AgriLife Extension Statewide Prescribed Fire Program Coordinator. Their applied experience ensures the content is grounded in real‑world conditions and practical decision-making.

“Fire is a critical component of a healthy, well-managed rangeland,” Treadwell said. “Through this course, you will learn directly from prescribed burn experts with an emphasis on fire behavior, employing the correct firing technique, equipment, safety and much more.”

Rather than focusing solely on theory, the course emphasizes planning and evaluation. Participants learn how to assess burn units, align fire behavior with management objectives, and anticipate challenges before lighting a match. This approach supports safer burns and better outcomes on the ground.

Supporting Informed Fire Use Across Texas

The updated Prescribed Burn School is part of a broader effort by AgriLife Extension and partners to promote informed, science‑based fire use on private lands. As interest in prescribed fire continues to grow, education remains one of the most effective ways to reduce risk and increase successful application.

For landowners considering prescribed fire for brush management, wildlife habitat improvement, or rangeland restoration, this course provides a strong foundation. For professionals supporting land management decisions, it serves as a valuable reference and training resource.

Learn More and Register

Registration information and additional details about the Online Prescribed Burn School are available through AgriLife Today and AgriLife Learn. Landowners and professionals interested in prescribed fire training are encouraged to explore the course and determine whether it fits their management goals.

The course comprises 12 modules and provides participants with the background, knowledge and skills needed to safely and confidently apply prescribed fire as a land management tool.  The course cost is $300, and participants can register at tx.ag/PrescribedBurnSchool2026. Discounted registration is available for members of prescribed burn associations following verification. Participants can anticipate the self-paced course taking roughly 24 hours to complete.

Prescribed fire is a powerful tool when applied thoughtfully and safely. Continued education helps ensure fire remains part of a resilient future for Texas rangelands.

 

The Cost of Prolonged Overgrazing: Ripple Effects on Watershed Health, Rainfall Infiltration, and Ranch Production

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Producers often face tough choices when managing rangeland, especially during drought or market fluctuations. While maximizing livestock numbers might bring short-term profit, prolonged overgrazing can deal lasting damage to the overall health and productivity of the land. One of the most critical, but sometimes overlooked, impacts is how overgrazing disrupts the watershed and reduces rainfall infiltration, setting off a chain reaction that threatens both present and future production.

What Is Overgrazing?

Overgrazing happens when livestock remove more plant material than the land can regenerate, reducing vegetative cover. Without sufficient rest and recovery for grasses and forbs, root systems shrink, soil structure declines, and bare ground increases.

Watershed Function and Why It Matters

A healthy watershed collects, stores, and distributes water efficiently across the landscape. Vegetation intercepts rainfall, slows surface runoff, and helps water infiltrate into the soil, replenishing aquifers and supporting plant growth during dry periods. When this function is degraded, so is the life of a ranch.

The Impact of Overgrazing on Rainfall Infiltration

Intact vegetation and litter (dead plant material) act as a sponge, allowing more rainfall to soak in rather than run off. Texas A&M research consistently shows that overgrazed pastures lose this critical function (Briske et al., 2011).   The results:

  • Increased Bare Soil – without enough cover, droplets hit bare soil directly, compacting it and reducing pore spaces.
  • More Runoff – compacted, crusted soils shed water, sending it downhill rather than storing it for plant growth.
  • Erosion – runoff carries away topsoil, further reducing the land’s ability to support vegetation.

Effects on Production and Range Health

  • Lower Forage Yields – less water stored means less forage growth through the season. Productivity drops, resulting in further pressure to overstock in a vicious cycle.
  • Reliance on Supplemental Feed – with reduced native forage, producers must purchase feed or de-stock, both of which cut into profits.
  • Increased Weed Invasion – bare patches and disturbed soil invite invasive species, which further outcompete desirable native plants.
  • Reduced Drought Resilience – healthy rangeland can buffer drought impacts; degraded rangeland cannot.

Economic and Environmental Tradeoff

“A pound of prevention is worth a ton of cure,” says Dr. Larry Redmon, Professor & Extension Forage Specialist at Texas A&M. Repairing watershed function, restoring infiltration, and rebuilding soil health can take years and significant expense.

Key findings from Texas A&M’s “Rangeland Watershed Management” (B-6136) highlight how managed grazing increases infiltration by 12–60% compared to overgrazed sites.   

Steps for Ranchers

  1. Monitor Utilization – Leave adequate stubble height and ground cover after grazing.
  2. Rest Pastures – Allow for seasonal or rotational rest to restore plant and root health.
  3. Observe Hydrology – Monitor for runoff, erosion, and infiltration after rains.
  4. Consult Local Extension – Texas A&M AgriLife can provide technical assistance and region-specific recommendations.

Conclusion

The hidden cost of overgrazing is the undermining of the ranch’s very foundation which starts and ends with the soil and water resources. By prioritizing range health and managing for watershed function, producers secure not only the current year’s paycheck but the resilience and productivity of their land for years to come.

References

  1. Briske, D.D., et al. (2011). [Rangeland Watershed Management – B-6136] (https://agrilife.org/texasrangelands/files/2011/02/B-6136.pdf), Texas A&M AgriLife Extension.
  2. What Is a Watershed? (https://wrri.tamu.edu/watersheds/what-is-a-watershed/), Texas Water Resources Institute.

For more infographics and resources, visit AgriLife Extension’s West Texas Rangelands https://agrilife.org/westtexasrangelands/extension-publications/

Are you seeing signs of overgrazing, runoff, or diminished production on your ranch? Contact your county’s AgriLife Extension Office for a site assessment and recommendations today.

Using Birds to Read Rangeland Health

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Birds are more than just a welcome sight on Texas rangelands. They can also tell us a great deal about the condition of our land. Because birds respond quickly to changes in vegetation, water availability, and management practices, they are valuable indicators of overall land health.

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service recently released A Texas Landowner’s Guide to Conducting a Bird Survey, a research-based publication designed to help landowners better understand the bird species using their property and what those observations can reveal about habitat conditions.

Why Conduct a Bird Survey?

Bird surveys give landowners a practical way to “check the pulse” of their property. The presence or absence of certain bird species can reflect changes in plant diversity, forage structure, and wildlife habitat. Rather than focusing on a single species, a general bird survey looks at the broader bird community and how it relates to current land management.

Over time, repeated observations can help landowners track trends, document stewardship efforts, and evaluate whether management goals are being met.

Designed with Landowners in Mind

This AgriLife Extension guide is written specifically for Texas landowners, not professional bird biologists. It introduces bird surveys in a practical, approachable way that fits working ranches and rural properties.

The publication explains the basics of conducting a general bird survey, why bird data are useful for land management, and where to find birding resources and equipment. It is especially helpful for landowners who are new to bird surveys or looking to incorporate wildlife monitoring into an existing management plan.

Turning Observations into Action

Collecting information is only useful if it can inform decisions. Bird survey data can help landowners evaluate habitat conditions, identify areas for improvement, and better understand how wildlife responds to management practices.

While bird surveys are not regulatory requirements, they offer a voluntary, science-based tool that complements broader rangeland and wildlife management strategies. They can also help landowners better communicate their stewardship efforts with partners, agencies, or the community.

Building Skills Over Time

The guide recognizes that bird identification can feel intimidating at first. However, bird surveying is a skill that improves with practice. By using available resources and learning over time, landowners can gain confidence and make bird surveys a meaningful part of their land management toolbox.

Learn More

A Texas Landowner’s Guide to Conducting a Bird Survey is available through Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. For more information or assistance, contact your local AgriLife Extension office and explore additional wildlife and rangeland management resources.

Fire Field Day – Mason, Tx: A Hands-On Learning Experience for Landowners

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Landowners, ranchers, and natural resource managers across the region are invited to take part in an exciting and educational Fire Field Day.  The event is slated for March 21, 2026, at the scenic White Ranch in Mason, Texas. This in-person workshop offers a unique opportunity to learn directly from prescribed fire experts and the Central Basin Prescribed Burn Association (PBA).

With growiA promotional flyer for a “Fire Field Day” event in Mason, Texas, featuring a background photo of an active grass fire with flames and smoke. Event details include date, time, location at White Ranch, and host information. The flyer highlights topics such as prescribed burning, brushpile burning, fire management objectives, regulations, and safe techniques. It notes lunch is provided, the event is free, CEUs are available, and participants may observe a live demonstration. A registration link is included at the bottom.ng interest in safe and effective rangeland management practices, prescribed fire has become an essential tool for improving rangeland health, reducing wildfire risk, and managing brush and tree encroachment. This event is designed to equip participants with both foundational knowledge and practical, hands-on experience.

What to Expect at Fire Field Day
The workshop runs from 8:30am to 2:00pm, and lunch will be provided at no cost to attendees. The day includes expert-led discussions and demonstrations focusing on:

⭐ Fire Management Objectives
Learn why fire is such an effective ecological tool, how it benefits rangelands, and what outcomes you can expect when applying prescribed burning on your property.

⭐ Laws and Regulations
Prescribed fire is a powerful tool that comes with responsibilities. Attendees will gain clarity on Texas laws governing burn plans, permitting, liability, and proper safety protocols.

⭐ Safe Fire Techniques for Your Property
From ignition methods to firebreak preparation, participants will walk away with practical strategies they can apply at home.

Weather permitting, the event will also feature a live prescribed fire or brushpile burn demonstration, giving attendees a chance to observe fire behavior and management techniques in real time.

This Fire Field Day is proudly hosted by the Central Basin Prescribed Burn Association, with support from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and the Prescribed Burn Alliance of Texas. These organizations are committed to helping landowners apply safe, science-based fire practices to improve their rangeland and encourage healthier ecosystems across the region.

Why Prescribed Fire Matters
Prescribed burning is one of the most cost-effective and natural methods for managing unwanted brush and trees, improving wildlife habitat, stimulating new plant growth, and reducing the intensity of future wildfires. For many Texas landowners, gaining confidence and practical knowledge is the key first step toward implementing burns on their own property.

This workshop is an ideal starting point, whether you are brand new to prescribed fire or looking to expand your experience with support from certified professionals.

We hope you will mark your calendar and JOIN US!
📍 Location: White Ranch – 15071 Ranch Road 1871, Mason, TX
📅 Date: March 21, 2026
⏰ Time: 8:30 AM–2:00 PM
💲 Cost: FREE
🍽️ Lunch Included
📜 CEU’s Available

For more information and to register please visit: TX.AG/MASONFIREFIELDDAY
Spaces often fill quickly for hands-on burn workshops so don’t miss this chance to learn from experts and connect with landowners across the region.

Stay Connected with Us!
Follow along for more land management events, educational workshops, and updates across the region.

The Long-Term Cost of Overgrazing—and How to Avoid It

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Rangeland health is shaped by cumulative management decisions rather than single events. Grazing practices that consider timing, recovery, and monitoring support long-term productivity and resilience.

Avoiding overgrazing requires consistency, observation, and flexibility. Just as our environmental conditions change (whiplash drought), so must our grazing strategies.

Connecting the Pieces

Understanding overgrazing, reading rangeland condition, and applying recovery-based grazing strategies work together. Each piece informs the next, creating a management approach that responds to what rangeland needs.

When these elements are aligned, rangelands are better equipped to handle drought, variable weather, fires, woody plant encroachment, and changing conditions.

Long-Term Benefits of Intentional Grazing

Over time, well-managed grazing supports stronger plant communities, improved soil cover, and greater forage stability. These benefits accumulate gradually, reinforcing the importance of patience and long-term thinking.

Stewardship Over Short-Term Gains

Successful rangeland management prioritizes sustainability over short-term use. Grazing decisions made with long-term outcomes in mind help ensure rangelands remain productive and functional for future generations. These strategies also create more flexibility across the operation because pastures are kept productive, healthy, and ready for the next grazing rotation despite challenging environmental conditions.

What Long-Term Success Looks Like on Rangeland

Long-term rangeland success is not defined by a single good year, but by consistent patterns over time. Healthy rangelands tend to show stable plant communities, adequate ground cover, and the ability to recover after grazing or environmental stress.

Successful grazing systems remain flexible. Stocking rates, timing, and pasture use are adjusted based on current conditions rather than fixed plans or continuous use. Monitoring becomes a regular habit, allowing managers to respond early instead of reacting after damage has occurred.

Over time, this approach supports more reliable forage production, improved soil protection, and greater resilience during drought and variable weather. Long-term success is built through intentional decisions made season after season, with the rangeland guiding every single management choice.

Prepared Today, Resilient Tomorrow: Making Wildfire Preparedness Part of Rangeland Stewardship

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Wildfire risk is a natural part of West Texas rangelands, but preparedness is most effective when it is part of ongoing land stewardship. Managing rangelands with long-term resilience in mind not only protects property and resources, but also supports ecosystem health and sustainable operations. 

Integrating Preparedness into Stewardship Practices 
Preparedness begins with everyday land management decisions. Practices such as targeted grazing, rotational grazing, and selective vegetation management help reduce fuel loads while maintaining healthy grass and brush cover. These strategies are not one-time solutions—they are ongoing practices that strengthen the landscape over years. 

Infrastructure and Access as a Stewardship Tool 
Maintaining roads, fence lines, water sources, and access points is a long-term investment in rangeland resilience. Clear access allows for safe movement of equipment and personnel if wildfire conditions arise. Roads and defensible corridors also serve as strategic breaks in fuel, reducing potential fire spread while supporting everyday operations. 

Monitoring Conditions Over Time 
Ongoing observation of vegetation, fuel, and weather trends is central to long-term preparedness. Tools like the Jornada Rangeland Analysis Platform provide historical and current data on vegetation growth and drought patterns. Combining this data with on-the-ground monitoring helps landowners make adaptive decisions, such as adjusting grazing or vegetation treatments, in a way that supports both land health and wildfire preparedness. 

Preparedness as a Continuous Practice
Long-term wildfire preparedness is not about expecting a fire every year. It is about creating a resilient, well-managed landscape that can better withstand unpredictable events. Maintaining native grasses, managing fuel continuity, and planning infrastructure improvements over time ensures the land remains productive and safer under a variety of conditions. 

Building Resilient Rangelands
By treating preparedness as part of overall stewardship, landowners reinforce their long-term investment in rangeland health. The combined effect of fuel management, infrastructure planning, monitoring, and adaptive management reduces potential wildfire impact while sustaining the ecological and economic productivity of West Texas rangelands. 

Fuel, Weather, and Risk: Monitoring Wildfire Conditions on Your Land

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Wildfire risk on rangelands is influenced by changing conditions rather than a fixed season. Weather patterns, vegetation growth, and fuel dryness all vary throughout the year. Monitoring these conditions helps landowners and managers understand when wildfire risk may increase and supports better decision-making. 

Tracking Fuel Conditions
One of the most important factors to watch is fuel condition. Grasses and other fine fuels dry at different rates depending on temperature, wind, and recent precipitation. After periods of rainfall, rangelands may produce increased vegetation that later becomes dry fuel. Observing changes in fuel amount and dryness over time provides valuable context for management activities. 

Watching Weather Patterns
Weather conditions also play a key role. Low humidity, strong winds, and extended dry periods can increase fire potential. Monitoring forecasts and short-term weather trends helps identify periods when caution may be needed. These conditions can occur at any time of year in West Texas, including winter months. 

Using Regional Data Tools
In addition to on-the-ground observations, land managers can use online tools to track broader trends. The Rangeland Analysis Platform (RAP) provides data and visual tools that help users assess vegetation productivity, drought patterns, and long-term rangeland conditions. This platform allows landowners to view changes across large areas and compare current conditions to historical averages. 

Connecting Data with Local Knowledge
Using tools like RAP alongside local knowledge creates a clearer picture of rangeland conditions. While no single dataset can predict wildfire, combining field observations with regional data improves awareness and supports informed planning. 

Applying What You Observe
Monitoring conditions also helps guide everyday decisions. Timing of equipment use, grazing rotations, or vegetation treatments can be adjusted based on current fuel and weather conditions. This approach reduces unnecessary risk while maintaining normal land management operations. 

Staying Aware Over Time
Monitoring is not about expecting wildfire to occur. Instead, it is a way to stay informed and adaptable. Conditions change, and understanding those changes helps landowners respond thoughtfully rather than reactively.