Source: Rachel Turnquist, BSA, PAg, Forage Extension Specialist, Saskatchewan.ca, May 2018
Rangeland is land supporting indigenous or introduced vegetation that is either grazed or has the potential to be grazed and is managed as a natural ecosystem.
Rangeland includes grassland, grazable forestland, shrubland, pasture land and riparian areas (PCAP 2008). Rangelands are a key resource for grazing livestock in Saskatchewan. Most rangeland in Saskatchewan is in the Dry, Mixed and Moist Grassland and Aspen Parkland ecoregions. This rangeland is suitable mainly for livestock production due to climatic factors such as low annual precipitation or topography and soil limitations. In order to ensure the rangeland resource is available for future generations, sustainable management practices are required.
Annual precipitation fluctuations are common in Saskatchewan and drought is part of the cycle, however, drought occurrence is unpredictable.
