supportive reading
Our most trusted sources &recommended reading
The sources on this page are among the best available. We use them weekly, if not daily. They were written by top experts in their respective fields. The material represents nearly a century of field and lab work.
Intermountain Planting Guide
An informative, authoritative and trusted guide for Intermountain West planting. Features seed selection, establishment and management advise for both irrigated and Dryland species. Contains characteristics and specific planting instructions for over 100 native and introduced species commonly used in the Intermountain West. Published by the USDA-ARS-Forage and Research Lab, Logan, Utah.
Grasses for the Northern Plains
Volume 1 - Cool Season: The definitive manual for understanding the growth patterns, forage characteristics and wildlife values of grasses for the Northern Plains. Valuable information for other ecoregions as well. Published by the NRCS and NDSU Extension Service at North Dakota State University.
Grasses for the Northern Plains
Volume II - Warm Season: The definitive manual for understanding the growth patterns, forage characteristics and wildlife values of warm season grasses for the Northern Plains. Valuable information for other ecoregions as well. Published by the NRCS and NDSU Extension Service at North Dakota State University.
Restoring Western Ranges and Wildlands
Volume 1 - Chapters 1-17, Index. The most comprehensive and in-depth volume ever written on restoring rangelands. This series covers everything from the earliest history of reclamation to collecting your own seed. We recommend downloading all three volumes - they are best utilized in concert with each other. Written and compiled by a who's-who list of experts in dozens of fields.
Restoring Western Ranges and Wildlands
Volume 2 - Chapters 18-23, Index. The most comprehensive and in-depth volume ever written on restoring rangelands. This series covers everything from the earliest history of reclamation to collecting your own seed. We recommend downloading all three volumes - they are best utilized in concert with each other. Written and compiled by a who's-who list of experts in dozens of fields.
Restoring Western Ranges and Wildlands
Volume 3 - Chapters 24-29, Appendices, Index. The most comprehensive and in-depth volume ever written on restoring rangelands. This series covers everything from the earliest history of reclamation to collecting your own seed. We recommend downloading all three volumes - they are best utilized in concert with each other. Written and compiled by a who's-who list of experts in dozens of fields.
Plants Poisonous to Livestock in the Western States
Poisonous plants are a major cause of economic loss to the livestock industry. This book highlights over 30 problematic species, complete with photos, drawings, maps, taxonomy and identification information.
Guidebook to the Seeds of Native and Non-Native Grasses, Forbs and Shrubs of the Great Basin
This seed and plant guide contains descriptions of almost 250 native and non-native (introduced) plants and seeds used by the U. S. Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in the Great Basin region of Oregon-Washington, Idaho, Utah, Nevada, and California.
Colorado Forage Guide
Published by the Colorado State University Extension, this publication was produced to help small acreage landowners become familiar with livestock forage and grazing management. Information is provided on how grasses differ, what legumes are and how they can fit into pastures, and what to consider if you need to revegetate your pasture, including how to design your own seed mix. The section on grazing management will help you know what to look for and expect before, during, and after your pastures are grazed.