Estimated carrying capacity for cattle competing with prairie dogs and forage utilization in western South Dakota

Carrying capacities for cattle competing with black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) were estimated by a linear programming technique for management of cool-season grasses in western South Dakota. Forage utilization was allowed to range from 20% to 80%. Under management for cool-season grasses (western wheatgrass (Agropyron smithii); needlegrasses (Stipa spp.)), stocking rates of cows ranged from 43 to 214 per hectare over a 6-month grazing season, and cow-calf stocking rates ranged from-43 to 214 per hectare over a 6-month grazing season, and cow-calf stocking rates ranged from 23 to 161. Needlegrasses and needleleaf sedge (Carex eleocharis) were key forage species.