Your short editorial at www.book-cliff.com/OVERGRAZING.html is an
argument I have heard countless times. The purpose of this Email though,
is not to argue for or against grazing, although I am a strong proponent of the
operators who take pride in the proper management of their allocated
resources.  One question I always ask "environmentalists" or the lay person
who has not been educated in livestock grazing management, or range land
monitoring procedures is, 'What is overgrazing?'

We are constantly bombarded, primarily through the popular press and
activist publications, with bullets disguised as the word "overgrazing".  Of
course grazing management plans, environmental impact studies, and species
specific research on forage plants can somewhat clear up the question. Never
forget that "overgrazing" is a term that should be used in very specific
instances with documentation provided through proper grazing and range land
health studies.  It is a very rare occurrence that overgrazing can be
documented through nothing more than qualitative, visual estimations.

Whenever I ask my standing question, it usually brings the person being
asked to a higher level of thinking, and promotes that person to seek out
more information and education on the topic (without starting a value based
argument).

While I doubt this single question will ever change the outlook of cattle
and sheep opponents, it does bring those who rely on the information
provided by hard-core activists to a level where they can at least view the
information with some positive skepticism.

Grazing management is a science and, as with any field of science,
skepticism, inquiry, research, application, review, and, if needed,
modification of the application should always be a standard practice before
any qualitative comments or opinions are formed.