Grazing Lease Stewardship Code of Practice

Alberta Sustainable Resource Development created this document to describe overarching management principles for grazing leaseholders to ensure public rangelands and the ecosystems on which they depend remain productive today and in the future.

The code of practice defines sustainable rangeland management as successfully maintaining plant vigor, protecting soil composition, having stable forage production and a steady flow of products and other societal benefits. To achieve sustainable management, the document suggests four key rangeland management practices. The first basic practice focuses on appropriate stocking rates to ensure rangeland health and sustainability. Distributing the impacts of livestock grazing as evenly as possible over the landscape is also seen as an important strategy that will prevent potential overexploitation.

Riparian areas where livestock may find particularly succulent forage, drinking water and shade require extra effort to ensure good livestock distribution. The Code of Practice also cautions against grazing at times when the rangeland may be particularly vulnerable, such as during droughts. The final principle directs grazing leaseholders to provide effective rest periods to rangeland vegetation to allow plants to replenish root reserves, maintain vigor and produce seed.