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Highlight: Forage consumption was significantly correlated with forage production and tree density, but not with steepness of slope, rockiness of soil, or distance from water. This suggests that good range management practices can effectively distribute livestock use. Management practices designed to increase multiple use values of ponderosa pine forests are being tested in Arizona (Brown et al. 1974). Some of these practices will increase herbage production (Clary 1975), but there is a question as to what extent cattle will consume the additional forage. Factors related to forage consumption need to be identified in evaluating possible impacts of forest overstory manipulations on grazing values. An earlier study on the Coconino Plateau in north-central Arizona found that distance to water, steepness and length of slope, access routes, forest density, season of use, range condition, floristic composition, and possibly rockiness influenced the manner in which pine-bunchgrass ranges were grazed (Glendening 1944). Slope steepness and distance upslope were important variables on uniform terrains in Montana, but the amount of rockiness was not (Mueggler 1965). In a Utah study, Cook (1966) concluded that although factors such as slope, distance to water below, percent palatable plants, and thickness of brush were correlated with utilization, no single factor could be used as a reliable index for predicting use. Young et al. (1967) found that forest density and understory vegetation influenced the distribution of forage utilization in northeastern Oregon. This note summarizes the results of a study conducted to define factors related to forage consumption by cattle on the Beaver Creek Watershed in north-central Arizona, and to provide insight as to how timber management practices will likely affect utilization of the range resource. The Study The study was conducted on one-half of a summer-use cattle allotment (13,000 acres) on the Beaver Creek Watershed at the edge of the Coconino Plateau, near Flagstaff, Ariz. Yearling cattle grazed the

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Results from many studies of ponderosa pine regenerationseeding, planting, and naturalover the past 15 yr on several areas on and near the Beaver Creek watershed in central Arizona indicate that seeding offers little hope of success. The failure of direct seeding is attributed to seasonal drought intensified by clay soils and competing vegetation. Tree planting has been consistently more successful. Although this report discusses research involving pesticides, such research does not imply that the pesticide has been registered or recommended for the use studied. Registration is necessary before any pesticide can be recommended. If not handled or applied properly, pesticides can be injurious to humans, domestic animals, desirable plants, fish, and wildlife. Always read and follow thê ;3*6s4**/J^d irections on the pesticide container.

The purpose of the Beaver Creek Pilot Watershed project is to evaluate the effects of vegetative changes on water, sediment, soil, forage, recreation, and wildlife yields, and to determine the subsequent risks from fire, insects, and disease. Located just south of Flagstaff, Arizona, this project is currently developing multiple use production data for alternative land management practices. A wide range of vegetation treatments have been experimentally tested on watersheds in both the juniper and ponderosa pine zones. This report contains an analysis of treatment costs in the ponderosa pine zone to provide relationships for economic evaluations and estimation of project planning costs. The estimates include costs of precommercial thinning and slash disposal, by Forest Service crews (force account work), but not costs of commercial product removals. If thinning and piling activities are to be accomplished as sale purchaser work, or by contract, these estimates will also be useful for determining contract costs.