Managing juniper encroachment in eastern Montana rangelands

Beginning in 2024, ARS scientists began documenting effects of juniper encroachment in open mixed-grass prairie and the effects of mechanical juniper removal. This work is focused on public grazing allotments administered by the US Bureau of Land Management in eastern Montana. The research focuses on the structure, composition, and herbaceous productivity of rangeland ecosystems, with a focus on invasive species dynamics and forage availability for livestock grazing.