This document contains descriptions of the predominant range sites in Oklahoma as defined by the USDA-NRCS.

Contents of this page:

MLRA 70A

Technical Range Site Description

1. Range Site Name: VERY SHALLOW

2. General Site Description and Location

a. Description

This site occurs on nearly level to moderately sloping narrow ridge tops or on the convex portion of the landscape at elevations from about 4800 to 6100 feet. Slopes are generally 0 to 9 percent but may range to 15 percent.

b. Location of site

1. Land resource area: High Plains

3. Climate

The climate of this area can be classified as semi-arid continental.

a. Precipitation averages from about 15 to 16 inches annually, with approximately 75 percent of this yearly moisture falling during the period of May through October. Most summer rainfall is associated with usually brief afternoon and evening thundershowers, which occasionally produce heavy rain over a small area, and sometimes bring a little hail. Winters are generally dry, with only one or two days a month when as much as one-tenth inch of moisture falls. However, winters average 20 inches of snow, though most snowfalls are light with an occasional storm producing up to six inches. Following these storms, snow may lie on the ground for several days and occasionally moderate-to-strong winds accompanying these storms result in blizzard conditions and heavy drifting. Although the precipitation patterns favor the production of warm-season plants, sufficient moisture is received in the late winter and the spring to support cool-season plants. Approximately 25 percent of the annual precipitation is received during April and May. May is generally the wettest month followed by July and then August.

b. Temperatures show the seasonal changes and large annual and diurnal ranges, characteristic of such a climate. Summers are generally mild; high daily temperature readings exceed 90 degrees about one-third of the time, and readings of 100 degrees occur about once a year. Rapid cooling after sundown results in minimum temperatures below 60 degrees on most nights, even in midsummer. Winter shade temperatures usually rise to the mid-40's, and an average of only 15 days fail to see temperatures rise above the freezing mark. Winter nighttime temperatures fall below the freezing mark most of the time from early November through March; below-zero readings occur on an average of only three times a year.

c. The freeze-free season ranges from 168 days to 171 days between April 28 to October 16. Both temperatures and annual precipitation favor warm-season plants. About 40 percent of the annual precipitation is received during the season where temperatures will benefit cool-season plants, and only 10 percent falls during the dormant season.

d. While open to winter invasions of arctic air over the Great Plains, this area is far enough south and west to miss many of these outbreaks. Mountains to the north and west intercept much of the precipitation from the Pacific northwest storms coming through this area during the winter. An average hourly wind velocity for the year is 15 miles per hour. Somewhat higher winds prevail during the spring months, but velocities exceeding 24 miles per hour are experienced only 10 percent of the usual year. Stronger winds blow chiefly from a westerly or southwesterly direction during the spring. Relative humidity is moderately low.

4. Topography and Elevation

This site occurs on nearly level to moderately sloping narrow ridge tops or on the convex portion of the landscape at elevations from about 4800 to 6100 feet. Slopes are generally 0 to 9 percent but may range to 15 percent.

5. Soils

a. The significant soils that characterize this site are loams, fine sandy loams and clay loams that average less than 20 inches in depth and more than five inches in depth. The underlying materials are indurated caliche. Permeability of these soils is slow to moderate. The available water capacity is low. Effective rooting depth is from 6 to 20 inches. The plant-soil-moisture-air relationship enables plants to respond to light rainfalls.

b. Soils in the site are Plack loam, Dean loam, and Pastura loam.

6. Climax Vegetation

a. This site is a grassland dominated by warm-season short and mid grasses with forbs and cool-season grasses occupying an important component of the plant community. Shrubs and half-shrubs occupy a minor component.

Decreasers include sideoats grama, little bluestem, New Mexico feathergrass, needleandthread and winterfat. Increasers are blue grama, wolftail, and tridens. Invaders consist of threeawn spp., and broom snakeweed. Grasses and grasslike plants make up 75 to 80 percent of the vegetation, forbs make up 10 to 15 percent of the vegetation and woody plants 5 to 10 percent of the vegetation.

b. Annual range forage production potential

1. Total herbage yields in pounds air dry per acre in

a. Favorable climatic periods - 1400 lbs.

b. Unfavorable climatic periods - 400 lbs.

MLRA 70A

Technical Range Site Description

1. Range Site Name: MALPAIS UPLAND

2. General Site Description and Location

a. Description

This site is on nearly level to strongly sloping basalt flows and adjacent fans at elevation of 5,500 to 7,500 feet. The landscape is characteristically a complex of cobbly or stony soil and basalt rock outcrop.

Slopes range from 0 to 15 percent with inclusions of short slopes of as much as 25 percent. The included steep slopes are not a barrier to the movement of livestock.

b. Location of site

1. Land resource area: High Plains

3. Climate

The climate of this area can be classified as semi-arid continental.

a. Precipitation averages 14 to 16 inches. Seventy-seven percent of the year=s moisture normally falls during the period of May through October. Practically all of it is brought by brief afternoon and evening thundershowers. In July and August, normally the wettest months of the year, one can expect about one day in five when rainfall exceeds one-tenth inch. Early spring precipitation in May benefits the cool season plants. Winter precipitation , supplying 24 percent of the year=s moisture, normally has no more than two days a month with as much as one-tenth inch of moisture. Much of the winter precipitation falls as snow.

b. Air temperatures vary from a monthly mean of 20 degrees F in January to 69 degrees F in July. Daily high temperatures average in the 80's and low 90's during the summer. Winter low temperatures fall below the freezing mark much of the time from November through March with minimum temperatures approaching 25 degrees F below zero. Dates of the last killing frost may vary from May 9 through May 17, and the first killing frost from September 27 to October 8. The frost-free season ranges from 141 days to 153 days from early May to early October.

c. Wind velocities for the area average 10 to 12 miles per hour and prevail from the south and southwest. Generally , March is the windiest month. Strong winds during the spring cause rapid drying of the soil surface.

d. Nearby mountains to the west intercept much of the precipitation from the Pacific storms coming through this area during the winter. About 70 percent of the 14 to 16 inches of annual precipitation falls in the form of rainfall during the frost-free season. About 40 percent of the annual precipitation benefits cool season plants, 50 percent benefits warm season plants and 10 percent falls during the season of plant dormancy. Relative humidity is moderately low. The sun shines approximately 75 percent of the time.

4. Topography and Elevation

This site is on nearly level to strongly sloping basalt flows and adjacent fans at elevations of 5,500 to 7,500 feet. The landscape is characteristically a complex of cobbly or stony soil and basalt rock outcrop.

5. Soils

a. These are well drained shallow to deep soils formed in debris from basalt. The surface texture is cobbly loam, cobbly silt loam, cobbly clay loam, stony fine sandy loam, stony loam, stony silt loam, stony sandy clay loam, stony clay loam. The texture of the subsurface layers is stony or cobbly loam, clay loam or clay. Permeability is moderate to slow. Available water capacity is low to high. Effective rooting depth is 8 to 60 inches. Air-water relation is favorable for plant growth. Basalt fragments make up 5 to 35 percent of the soil and occupy 5 to 35 percent of the surface.

b. Soils in the site are Apache, Ayon, Fallsam, and Thunderbird.

6. Climax Vegetation

a. This site is a grass dominated plant community with shrubs and forbs evenly distributed. Mid-grasses dominate with a variety of tall and short grasses.

Decreasers include little bluestem, western wheatgrass, big bluestem, sideoats grama, Indiangrass, switchgrass, needleandthread and mountainmahogany. Increasers are blue grama, threeawn, galleta and sagebrush. Invaders consist of sleepygrass, buffalograss, broom snakeweed plains pricklypear and senecio. Grasses and grasslike plants make up 80 percent of the vegetation, forbs make up 10 percent of the vegetation and woody plants 10 percent of the vegetation.

b. Annual range forage production potential

1. Total herbage yields in pounds air dry per acre in

a. Favorable climatic periods - 1500 lbs.

b. Unfavorable climatic periods - 650 lbs.

MLRA 70A

Technical Range Site Description

1. Range Site Name: SANDSTONE BREAKS

2. General Site Description and Location

a. Description

This site is on steep and very steep slopes and escarpments at elevations of 4,000 to 7,000 feet. The landscape consists of interbedded sandstone, limestone and shale with soil on steep fans and small ravine bottoms. Elevation differences on individual areas range from 150 to 800 feet. This site is a barrier to the movement of livestock.

b. Location of site

1. Land resource area: High Plains

3. Climate

The climate of this area is classified as semi-arid continental.

a. Precipitation averages 14 to 16 inches. Seventy-seven percent of the year=s moisture normally falls during the period of May through October. Practically all of it is brought by brief afternoon and evening thundershowers. In July and August, normally the wettest months of the year, one can expect about one day in five when rainfall exceeds one-tenth inch. Early spring precipitation in May benefits the cool season plants. Winter precipitation , supplying 24 percent of the year=s moisture, normally has no more than two days a month with as much as one-tenth inch of moisture. Much of the winter precipitation falls as snow.

b. Air temperatures vary from a monthly mean of 20 degrees F in January to 69 degrees F in July. Daily high temperatures average in the 80's and low 90's during the summer. Winter low temperatures fall below the freezing mark much of the time from November through March with minimum temperatures approaching 25 degrees F below zero. Dates of the last killing frost may vary from May 9 through May 17, and the first killing frost from September 27 to October 8. The frost-free season ranges from 141 days to 153 days from early May to early October.

c. Wind velocities for the area average 10 to 12 miles per hour and prevail from the south and southwest. Generally , March is the windiest month. Strong winds during the spring cause rapid drying of the soil surface.

d. Nearby mountains to the west intercept much of the precipitation from the Pacific storms coming through this area during the winter. About 70 percent of the 14 to 16 inches of annual precipitation falls in the form of rainfall during the frost-free season. About 40 percent of the annual precipitation benefits cool season plants, 50 percent benefits warm season plants and 10 percent falls during the season of plant dormancy. Relative humidity is moderately low. The sun shines approximately 75 percent of the time.

4. Topography and Elevation

This site is on steep and very steep slopes and escarpments at elevations of 4,000 to 7,000 feet. The landscape consists of interbedded sandstone, limestone and shale with soil on steep fans and small ravine bottoms. Elevation differences on individual areas range from 150 to 800 feet. This site is a barrier to the movement of livestock.

Slopes are usually 35 to 60 percent but range from 20 to 75 percent. Slopes are on all aspects and vegetation varies with aspect. North and east-facing slopes have lower temperatures, and rainfall is more effective than on south and west-facing slopes.

5. Soils

a. Soils are well drained, shallow to deep, usually stony. Surface textures vary greatly. The slope of these soils is the predominant characteristic.

b. Generally soil mapping units are more useful in describing and evaluating this site. Some of these are: Rough broken land; Rough broken and stony land, Travessilla-Rock Outcrop complex; Travessilla-Rock Outcrop complex, 30 to 75 percent slopes; Bernal-Rock Outcrop-Travessilla association, steep; and Travessilla-Rock Outcrop complex, 25 to 65 percent slopes.

6. Climax Vegetation

a. This vegetation of this site is dominated by grasses but may have the appearance of being dominated by woody species. Warm season mid-grasses dominate the annual grass production. Pinyon pine, oneseed juniper, oak, and mountainmahogany are the main woody species.

Decreasers include little bluestem, sideoats grama, blue grama, pinyon ricegrass, New Mexico feathergrass and mountainmahogany. Increasers are Pinyon Pine, oneseed juniper, broom snakeweed, threeawns and ringmuhly. Sleepygrass is an invader. Grasses and grasslike plants make up 60 to 65 percent of the vegetation, forbs make up 5 to 10 percent of the vegetation and woody plants 20 to 25 percent of the vegetation.

b. Annual range forage production potential

1. Total herbage yields in pounds air dry per acre in

a. Favorable climatic periods - 1200 lbs.

b. Unfavorable climatic periods - 600 lbs.

MLRA 77A

 Technical Range Site Description

1. Range Site Name: HARDLAND (Panhandle)

2. General Site Description and Location

a. Description

Flat to gently sloping upland. It is characteristically short grass country.

b. Location of site

1. Land resource area: High Plains

2. Counties: Texas, Beaver, and East Half of Cimarron Counties in Oklahoma

3. Climate

Semi-arid climate with an average precipitation of 17 to 20 inches. About 74 percent of the annual rainfall occurs from May through October, with each month receiving 1.5 inches or more. There are extreme fluctuations in rainfall from year to year with periodic drouths. About 25 percent of the years have fallen below 14.3 inches total rainfall (Dalhart, Texas). More years of below average rainfall can be expected than those above the average. Winter precipitation averages less than .75 inch per month, and comes in the form of snow and rain.

Average wind velocities are extremely high in the southern Great Plains in comparison to the rest of the United States. High winds during February, March, and April cause erosion on unprotected areas.

The growing season for native warm season plants is from the latter part or April until the middle of October. Optimum growing season is 180 days. Winters are characterized by frequent northers (wind) producing severe cold with a recorded low of -23 degree. The maximum summer temperature on record is 112 degrees. Summer humidity is low and evaporation high. All of these climatic factors, coupled with a drouthy but fertile soil, contributes to a hardy drouth resistant vegetation which fluctuates widely in production.

4. Topography and Elevation

This site occurs on flat to gently sloping uplands. Elevation ranges from 2500 to 4000 feet.

5. Soils

a. Soils that characterize this site are silt loams, clay loams, and loams that are 18 inches or more in depth to parent materials. They are very slowly to slowly permeable. If unprotected by vegetation, they are susceptible to some wind and water erosion from intense storms.

b. Soils in the site are Richfield clay loam; Richfield loam; Richfield silt loam; Richfield loam, this surface phase; Ulysses-Richfield complex; Ulysses clay loam; Dalhart-Ulysses loams; Berthoud loam; Zita clay loam; Pullman clay loam; Bippus clay loam; Lofton clay loam; Mansker loam; Mansker clay loam; Dalhart-Mansker loam; and Mansic clay loam.

c. Complete soil descriptions are available in the Soil Survey Descriptive Legend or in the Soil Series of Oklahoma handbook.

6. Climax Vegetation

a. The site supports the short grasses of the High Plains, mainly blue grama and buffalograss. Mid grasses such as vine mesquite, western wheatgrass, and sideoats grama may be found in drainage ways, and other areas receiving extra moisture.

Decreasers include blue grama, sideoats grama, vine-mesquite, and western wheatgrass. Increasers are buffalograss, silver bluestem, and purple threeawn. Invaders consist of red threeawn, sand dropseed, hairy tridens, western ragweed, broom snakeweed, yucca, and annuals. Decreasers make up 60 to 70 percent of the vegetation and the remainder is increasers.

b. Annual range forage production potential

1. Total herbage yields in pounds air dry per acre in

a. Favorable climatic periods - 2000 lbs.

b. Unfavorable climatic periods - 800 lbs.

2. Yields are estimates based on limited clipping information.

MLRA 77A

Technical Range Site Description

1. Range Site Name: SANDY PLAINS

2. General Site Description and Location

a. Description

Deep moderately sandy uplands occurring on hummocky or gently rolling topography. The deep sandy nature of this site permits good forage production of the mid and tall grasses. Some sagebrush and yucca are usually found on this site.

b. Location of site

1. Land resource area: High Plains

2. Counties: Cimarron and Texas Counties in Oklahoma

3. Climate

Semi-arid climate with an average precipitation of 16 to 19 inches west to east. Annual rainfall occurs mostly from May through October, with each month receiving 1.5 inches or more during that period, there are wide fluctuations in precipitation and normal or average rainfall seldom occurs. There are more years with below average rainfall than above average. Winter precipitation averages less than .75 inch per month and comes in the form of both snow and rain..

Average wind velocities are extremely high in the Southern Great Plains in comparison to the rest of the United States. High winds during February, March, and April cause erosion on unprotected areas.

The growing season for native warm season plants extends from April to the middle of October. Optimum growing season is 180 days. Winters are characterized by frequent northers (wind) producing severe cold with a recorded low of -23 degree. Summer humidity is low and evaporation high. The great extremes in climate result in considerable change of vegetation composition even under the best of management.

4. Topography and Elevation

Gently rolling or hummocky topography occurring on uplands. Elevation varies from 3000 to 4500 feet.

5. Soils

a. Soils in this site are deeply moderately sandy, neutral but non-calcareous upland soils. Surface soils of fine sandy loam over loamy non-calcareous subsoils. The insoak and permeability rate is medium and moisture holding capacity is moderate to low. These soils are susceptible to wind erosion and also to some water erosion.

b. Soils in the site are Dalhart fine sandy loam.

c. Complete soil descriptions are available in the Soil Survey Descriptive Legend or in the Soil Series of Oklahoma handbook.

6. Climax Vegetation

a. Climax cover in top range condition is made up principally of the decreaser grasses such as sand bluestem, little bluestem, and an increaser, sideoats grama. Lesser elements in the cover are western wheatgrass, vine-mesquite and blue grama.

Hairy grama, buffalograss, sand dropseed and weeds are characteristic of low condition cover. Yucca and sand sagebrush often are important when range is in low condition. The bluestems and sideoats grama will make up 65 percent of the cover under climax conditions.

b. Annual range forage production potential

1. Total herbage yields in pounds air dry per acre in

a. Favorable climatic periods - 2300 lbs.

b. Unfavorable climatic periods - 800 lbs.

2. Yields are estimates based on limited clipping information.

MLRA 77A

Technical Range Site Description

1. Range Site Name: VERY SHALLOW

2. General Site Description and Location

a. Description

This site occurs on nearly level to moderately sloping narrow ridge tops or on the convex portion of the landscape at elevations from about 4800 to 6100 feet. Slopes are generally 0 to 9 percent but may range to 15 percent.

b. Location of site

1. Land resource area: High Plains

3. Climate

The climate of this area can be classified as semi-arid continental.

a. Precipitation averages from about 15 to 16 inches annually, with approximately 75 percent of this yearly moisture falling during the period of May through October. Most summer rainfall is associated with usually brief afternoon and evening thundershowers, which occasionally produce heavy rain over a small area, and sometimes bring a little hail. Winters are generally dry, with only one or two days a month when as much as one-tenth inch of moisture falls. However, winters average 20 inches of snow, though most snowfalls are light with an occasional storm producing up to six inches. Following these storms, snow may lie on the ground for several days and occasionally moderate-to-strong winds accompanying these storms result in blizzard conditions and heavy drifting. Although the precipitation patterns favor the production of warm-season plants, sufficient moisture is received in the late winter and the spring to support cool-season plants. Approximately 25 percent of the annual precipitation is received during April and May. May is generally the wettest month followed by July and then August.

b. Temperatures show the seasonal changes and large annual and diurnal ranges, characteristic of such a climate. Summers are generally mild; high daily temperature readings exceed 90 degrees about one-third of the time, and readings of 100 degrees occur about once a year. Rapid cooling after sundown results in minimum temperatures below 60 degrees on most nights, even in midsummer. Winter shade temperatures usually rise to the mid-40's, and an average of only 15 days fail to see temperatures rise above the freezing mark. Winter nighttime temperatures fall below the freezing mark most of the time from early November through March; below-zero readings occur on an average of only three times a year.

c. The freeze-free season ranges from 168 days to 171 days between April 28 to October 16. Both temperatures and annual precipitation favor warm-season plants. About 40 percent of the annual precipitation is received during the season where temperatures will benefit cool-season plants, and only 10 percent falls during the dormant season.

d. While open to winter invasions of arctic air over the Great Plains, this area is far enough south and west to miss many of these outbreaks. Mountains to the north and west intercept much of the precipitation from the Pacific northwest storms coming through this area during the winter. An average hourly wind velocity for the year is 15 miles per hour. Somewhat higher winds prevail during the spring months, but velocities exceeding 24 miles per hour are experienced only 10 percent of the usual year. Stronger winds blow chiefly from a westerly or southwesterly direction during the spring. Relative humidity is moderately low.

4. Topography and Elevation

This site occurs on nearly level to moderately sloping narrow ridge tops or on the convex portion of the landscape at elevations from about 4800 to 6100 feet. Slopes are generally 0 to 9 percent but may range to 15 percent.

5. Soils

a. The significant soils that characterize this site are loams, fine sandy loams and clay loams that average less than 20 inches in depth and more than five inches in depth. The underlying materials are indurated caliche. Permeability of these soils is slow to moderate. The available water capacity is low. Effective rooting depth is from 6 to 20 inches. The plant-soil-moisture-air relationship enables plants to respond to light rainfalls.

b. Soils in the site are Plack loam, Dean loam, and Pastura loam.

6. Climax Vegetation

a. This site is a grassland dominated by warm-season short and mid grasses with forbs and cool-season grasses occupying an important component of the plant community. Shrubs and half-shrubs occupy a minor component.

Decreasers include sideoats grama, little bluestem, New Mexico feathergrass, needleandthread and winterfat. Increasers are blue grama, wolftail, and tridens. Invaders consist of threeawn spp., and broom snakeweed. Grasses and grasslike plants make up 75 to 80 percent of the vegetation, forbs make up10 to 15 percent of the vegetation and woody plants 5 to 10 percent of the vegetation.

b. Annual range forage production potential

1. Total herbage yields in pounds air dry per acre in

a. Favorable climatic periods - 1400 lbs.

b. Unfavorable climatic periods - 400 lbs.

MLRA 77E

 Technical Range Site Description

1. Range Site Name: Limy Upland

    Description not yet written.

MLRA 77E

Technical Range Site Description

1. Range Site Name: Mixed Landslopes

2. General Site Description and Location

a. Description

This site consists of moderately to moderately steep sloping deep well drained calcareous fine sandy loams. Elevation ranges from 2250 to 3800 feet. This is a mid and tall grass site with some sand sagebrush, yucca and skunkbush.

b. Location of site

1. Land resource area: High Plains

3. Climate

Average yearly precipitation ranges from 16 to 22 inches. On average over 25 percent of the annual precipitation is received during May and June. May is generally the wettest month, followed by July and June. The freeze-free period ranges from 190 to 220 days.

4. Topography and Elevation

This site consists of moderately to moderately steep sloping areas at elevations from 2250 to 3800 feet. Slopes range from 3 to 5 percent.

5. Soils

a. The soils that characterize this site are deep well drained calcareous fine sandy loams. They are light in color and subsoils are moderately permeable to moderately rapidly permeable. They take water readily but have only moderate water holding capacity. Natural fertility is low. Plant available water is moderate to high. Plant roots can easily penetrate the subsoils.

b. Soils in the site: Mobeetie fine sand loam

6. Climax Vegetation

a. This is a mid and tall grass site with a good variety of forbs and a smaller woody plant component. Major grass species are little bluestem, sideoats grama, sand bluestem, and blue grama. This site differs from sandy loam site in that the limey topsoil promotes an increased growth of sideoats grama and little bluestem. Sand sagebrush is the major woody species along with yucca and skunkbush.

Grasses and grasslike plants make up 80 percent of the vegetation, forbs make up 10 percent of the vegetation, and shrubs 10 percent of the vegetation.

b. Annual range forage production potential

1. Total herbage yields in pounds air dry per acre in

a. Favorable climatic periods - 2700 lbs.

b. Unfavorable climatic periods - 1400 lbs.

MLRA 77E

 Technical Range Site Description

1. Range Site Name: Limy Sandy Plains

2. General Site Description and Location

a. Description

Deep moderately sandy uplands lying on caliche beds that occur on gently rolling topography. The soils are open and can support a mid-tall grass cover but, because of the caliche outcrops, the cover is not uniformly dense.

b. Location of site

1. Land resource area: Rolling Red Plains and High Plains

2. Counties: Beaver, Texas, Cimarron, Harper, and Ellis Counties in Oklahoma

3. Climate

Average yearly precipitation ranges from 20 to 24 inches. About 75 percent of this falls during the average 195-day frost-free period. Summer drouth occurs normally in the latter part of July and during August. High evaporation during the entire summer lowers the effectiveness of the precipitation.

4. Topography and Elevation

This site lies on the gently rolling uplands. Elevation ranges from 1800 to 3000 feet.

5. Soils

a. This site comprises deep, limy upland soils of moderately course to medium texture. The Otero soils are the sandier, having fine sandy loam surface soils over very limy fine sandy loam to loam subsoils. The Mansic soils have loam to friable clay loam surface soils over limy clay loam subsoils. Both have moderate to rapid insoak rates and moderate to high moisture holding capacity. Fertility is low to moderate. When eroded the fertility level is very low. Both soils are fairly susceptible to erosion, with wind erosion being more active on Otero and water erosion on the Mansic. While these soils are deep and friable, the high calcareous content encourages the kind of vegetation found on the shallow soils. This is particularly true on the more limy areas.

b. Soils in the site are: Otero-Mansic complex; Otero soils; Mansic-Otero complex; and Mansker fine sandy loam.

c. Complete soil description are available in the Soil Survey Descriptive Legend or in the Soil Series of Oklahoma handbook.

6. Climax Vegetation

a. Little bluestem and sideoats grama are the principal grasses. Smaller amounts of sand bluestem, hairy grama, and a variety of climax legumes and forbs make up the cover.

b. Annual range forage production potential

1. Total herbage yields in pounds air dry per acre in

a. Favorable climatic periods - 2300 lbs.

b. Unfavorable periods - 1000 lbs.

2. Yields are estimates based on limited clipping information.

MLRA 78C

Technical Range Site Description

1. Range Site Name: LOAMY PRAIRIE

2. General Site Description and Location

a. Description

This is a productive range site composed of deep loamy upland soils. Slopes are gentle to steeply rolling. Under good range conditions, little bluestem and sandy bluestem dominate the site and there is very little woody vegetation.

b. Location of site

1. Land resource area: Rolling Red Plains

2. Counties: Harper, Woods, Ellis, Woodward, Major, Dewey, Custer, Roger Mills, Beckham, Washita, Greer, Kiowa, Harmon, Jackson, and Tillman Counties in Oklahoma.

3. Climate

The climate is characterized by hot, often dry summers; mild autumns; mild to cold winners; and moist, cool spring periods. There is a 9-inch spread in average precipitation within this site, varying from 21 to 29 inches. More important, however, to gras growth and management is the wide fluctuation in annual and seasonal rainfall. Extremes range from lows of 10 inches to highs of 45 inches annually. Drouth cycles of below average rainfall range from 3 to 5 years, with occasional longer periods, and occur at unpredictable intervals. Above normal rainfall cycles are generally shorter in duration than the drouth periods.

Range forage yields fluctuate with these cycles but following prolonged drouth, production recovery of desirable grasses normally lags one or two years behind the time rainfall returns to normal or above. Likewise, production is often maintained at relatively high levels for the first year of drouth following a favorable climatic period, thus allowing the operator a little time for herd adjustment if it appears the drouth will continue. There is considerable change in the relative amounts of various plant species due to these fluctuating climatic cycles. Generally the shorter, more xeric plants such as blue grama tend to assume greater importance during drouth, while during favorable periods this site displays a tall and mid grass aspect, principally little bluestem and sand bluestem. Due to the favorable late spring-early summer-fall rainfall, the warm season grasses are dominant. Average warm season rainfall, April to September, varies from 15 to 20 inches.

Thus, approximately 75 percent of the total precipitation occurs during this 6-month period. January average temperatures over a period of 25 years ranged from 35 to 41 degrees, with a July average range of 82 to 84 degrees. Temperature extremes are from a high of 120 degrees to a low of -13. High summer temperatures often result in much death loss to grasses, particularly where grazing has greatly reduced soil cover and weakened the range plants.

4. Topography and Elevation

Slopes range from nearly level to steep. Elevation extremes are from approximately 1300 to 1900 feet above sea level.

5. Soils

a. Deep, loamy upland soils of medium permeability. All soils have high water holding capacity and good soil-plant-moisture relationship. Soils are moderately to highly productive and well suited to deep rooted forage plants, but do not supply enough moisture for extensive woody vegetation.

b. Soils in the site are: Woodward, Carey, Acme, Enterprise very fine sandy loam, Enterprise silt loam, and Enterprise loam.

6. Climax Vegetation

a. Climax vegetation on this site is composed primarily of little bluestem and sand bluestem, with an understory of sideoats grama and blue grama. Some other important grasses are tall dropseed, switchgrass, Indiangrass, and western wheatgrass. Legumes are of minor importance with leadplant, Illinois bundleflower and scurfpea being the main ones. Climax forbs include Maximilian sunflower, Louisiana sagewort, and heath aster.

Common decreaser grasses are little bluestem, switchgrass, sand bluestem, and Indiangrass. Common increaser grasses are sideoats grama, buffalograss and blue grama. Common perennial invader grasses are sand dropseed, windmillgrass and silver bluestem. Woody plants are not significant on this site. Minor amount sandsage, skunkbush, hackberry and coralberry may be found but are normally invaders.

b. Annual range forage production potential

1. Total herbage yields in pounds air dry per acre in

a. Favorable climatic periods - 4200 lbs.

b. Unfavorable periods - 1800 lbs.

2. Yields are estimates based on limited clipping information.

MLRA 78C

 Technical Range Site Descriptions

1. Range Site Name: RED CLAY PRAIRIE

2. General Site Description and Location

a. Description

Red clay soils on rolling and broken topography with some gentle slopes which support a fair cover of predominately mid grasses. Grazing abuse results in soil and water losses.

b. Location of site

1. Land resource area: Rolling Red Plains

2. Counties: Woodward, Woods, Major, Tillman, Cotton, Greer, Harmon, Comanche, Blaine, Caddo, and Kiowa Counties in Oklahoma.

3. Climate

The average annual precipitation varies from 19 to 29 inches. Approximately 75 percent of the rainfall occurs during the warm season, and much of it comes in storms of high intensity and short duration. These rains are particularly erosive on this site. Occasional drouths are to be expected. Hot, dry winds often curtail forage production during July and August. The average annual frost-free season ranges from 190 to 225 days.

4. Topography and Elevation

Gently sloping to rolling topography. Elevation ranges from 1100 to 1700 feet above sea level.

5. Soils

a. This site includes reddish calcareous clayey soils of the gently sloping to rolling uplands. Surface soils are reddish brown clay 6 to 12 inches thick over red calcareous clay that grades to relatively unweathered Permian clay beds at 10 to 40 inches below the surface. Surface soils are granular to fine blocky in structure and have fair insoak rate. Permeability is very slow. Much moisture is lost through runoff and the soil is not normally moistened below 15 to 20 inches.

b. Soils in the site are: Stamford clay and Vernon

c. Complete soil descriptions are available in the soil Survey Descriptive Legend or in the Soil Series of Oklahoma handbook.

6. Climax Vegetation

a. The principal climax decreaser is little bluestem. The next grass of importance is sideoats grama which acts somewhat as an increaser. In addition to sideoats grama, other increasers are hairy grama and rough tridens. Common mesquite and cactus are invaders.

b. Annual range forage production potential

1. Total herbage yield in pounds air dry per acre in

a. Favorable climatic periods - 2200 lbs.

b. Unfavorable periods - 1000 lbs.

2. Yields are estimates based on limited clipping information.

MLRA 78C

 Technical Range Site Descriptions

1. Range Site Name: DEEP SAND

2. General Site Description and Location

a. Description

Deep upland sands occurring on gently rolling or low dune topography.

b. Location of site

1. Land resource area: Rolling Red Plains

2. Counties: Beaver, Harper, Ellis, Roger Mills, Major, Beckham, Harmon, Woodward, Woods, Dewey, Cotton, Tillman, Jackson, Custer, Kiowa, Washita, and Greer Counties in Oklahoma.

3. Climate

The climate is characterized by hot, often dry summers; mild autumns; mild to cold winters; and moist, cool spring periods. There is a 9-inch spread in average precipitation, varying from 21 to 29 inches. More important to grass growth and management is the wide variance in annual and seasonal rainfall. Extremes range from lows of 10 inches of annual rainfall to highs of 45 inches. Drouth cycles of below average rainfall ranging from 3 to 5 years duration, with occasional longer periods, occur at unpredictable intervals. Above normal rainfall cycles are generally shorter in duration than the drouth periods.

Range forage yields fluctuate with these cycles but following prolonged drouth production recovery of the desirable grasses normally lag one or two years behind the time rainfall returns to normal or above. Likewise, production is often maintained at relatively high levels for the first year of drouth following a favorable climatic period, thus allowing the operator a little time for herd adjustment if it appears the drouth will continue. There is considerable change in the relative amounts of various plant species due to these fluctuating climatic cycles. Generally the shorter more xeric plants such as blue grama tend to assume greater importance curing drouth, while during favorable periods this site displays a tall and mid grass aspect, principally little bluestem and sand bluestem.

Warm season grasses are dominant due to the favorable late spring, early summer and fall precipitation. Average warm season rainfall (April-September) varies from 15 to 20 inches. Thus, approximately 75 percent of the total precipitation occurs during this 6-month period. January average temperatures over a 25-year period range from 35 to 41 degrees, with a July average of 82 to 84 degrees. Temperature extremes are from a high of 120 degrees to a low of -13. High summer temperatures often result in much death loss to grasses, particularly where grazing has greatly reduced soil cover and weakened range plants.

5. Topography and Elevation

This site occurs on gently undulating, low hummocky, to steeply rolling uplands. Elevation ranges from 1000 feet in Cotton County to 2500 in Beaver County.

4. Soils

a. Sands with subsoils of sandy loams to sandy clay loams. Intake of moisture is high and there is very little runoff. Moisture storage capacity is low but soil moisture is easily available to plants. The readily available moisture and deep sandy profile encourages the deep rooted grasses along with some woody vegetation. However, due to the soils relatively low water holding capacity there is much fluctuation in kinds and amounts of range vegetation, as the climate characteristically fluctuates between arid and subhumid conditions. The drouth resistant kinds of woody vegetation also reflects the wide range and rapid change in available moisture.

b. Soils in the site are: Pratt loamy find sand, Pratt-Tivoli loamy fine sand, Enterprise loamy fine sand, and Likes loamy fine sand.

c. Complete soil descriptions are available in the Soil Survey Descriptive Legend or in the Soil Series of Oklahoma handbook.

5. Climax Vegetation

a. Climax cover is principally little bluestem and sand bluestem. Switchgrass and Indiangrass are also common to the site. These decreaser species represent approximately 40 to 50 percent of the vegetation. The more common increasers are blue grama, sand lovegrass, sand dropseed, fall witchgrass, and Texas bluegrass. Sand flatsedge (Cyperus schweinitzi) is an important grasslike species. The woody increasers are sand sagebrush and skunkbush, and should not exceed 10 percent of the total vegetation.

b. Annual range forage production potential

1. Total herbage yields in pounds air dry per acre in

a. Favorable climatic periods - 3500 lbs.

b. Unfavorable periods - 1400 lbs.

2. Yields are estimates based on limited clipping information.

MLRA 78C

 Technical Range Site Description

1. Range Site Name: DEEP SAND SAVANNAH

2. General Site Description and Location

a. Description

Loamy and coarse deep sands occurring on nearly level to rolling uplands. Shinnery oak is usually found on this site and increases as the grass stand is reduced.

b. Location of site

1. Land resource area: Western Rolling Red Plains

2. Counties: Ellis, Woodward, Roger Mills, Beckham, Harmon, Greer, and Jackson Counties of Oklahoma.

3. Climate

Annual average precipitation ranges from approximately 22 to 25 inches across the range site. Important to kinds and amounts of vegetation is the wide fluctuation of annual and seasonal rainfall. Extreme annual precipitation has ranged from highs of 45 to lows of 12 inches. Average frost-free period is from 200 to 220 days, with 75 percent of the total precipitation falling in this period. Summer drouths of three weeks or longer duration are frequent. During favorable climatic periods the site can support a productive stand of mid and tall grasses. There is normally some thinning out of these tall grasses during long drouth cycles. Short summer drouths during late July and August often prevent seed production particularly of little bluestem, and retard range recovery.

4. Topography and Elevation

Topography is gently undulating, hummocky to low dune. Elevation ranges from 1400 to 2400 feet above sea level.

5. Soils

a. This site includes moderately acid to acid upland soils that are very sandy. The soil profiles are fine sand, 12 to 36 inches or more in depth, over loamy fine sand to sandy clay loam subsoils. They have high insoak rates and allow little runoff. Moisture holding capacity is fair. These soils are rather infertile and very susceptible to wind erosion. The rapid infiltration and deep percolation of water in these soils make this site more suitable for deep rooted forage and woody plant species.

b. Soils in the site are: Nobscot fine sand, Brownfield fine sand, and Nobscot-Brownfield fine sand.

c. Complete soil descriptions are available in the Soil Survey Descriptive Legend or in the Soil Series of Oklahoma handbook.

6. Climax Vegetation

a. Little bluestem and sand bluestem are the most important grasses in the climax cover. Less important decreasers are switchgrass and Indiangrass. Wild lespedezas, Virginia Tephrosia, and other legumes are common here. Decreaser range plants represent 45 to 55 percent of the climax vegetation. Shinnery oak is the major increaser woody species. Woody species should not exceed 10 percent of the climax cover.

b. Annual range forage production potential

1. Total herbage yields in pounds air dry per acre in

a. Favorable climatic periods - 3900 lbs.

b. Unfavorable periods - 1600 lbs.

2. Yields are estimates based on limited clipping information.

MLRA 78C

 Technical Range Site Description

1. Range Site Name: HARDLAND (North)

2. General Site Description and Location

a. Description

Moderately sloping to level heavy uplands with slow water intake.

b. Location of site

1. Land resource area: Northern Rolling Red Plains

2. Counties: Harper, Ellis, Woodward, Woods, Major, and Dewey Counties in Oklahoma.

3. Climate

Average precipitation varies from 21 to 28 inches, with wide fluctuation in annual and seasonal rainfall. Periodic drouths result in drastically lowered yield on this relatively drouthy site. Warm season grasses are dominant due to approximately 75 percent of the annual precipitation coming in the spring-summer-fall period.

4. Topography and Elevation

This site lies on the flatter areas within the upland drainage patter. Elevation ranges from 1400 to 1900 feet.

5. Soils

a. These soils are deep and fine textured. Although they have a relatively slow moisture intake, the usual gentle slopes allow water to infiltrate when the grass cover is well managed.

b. Soils in the site are: Hollister, Richfield, Mansic, and St. Paul clay loams and silt loams.

c. Complete soil descriptions are available in the Soil Survey Descriptive Legend or in the Soil Series of Oklahoma handbook.

6. Climax Vegetation

a. The climax cover has a mixed grass aspect. Sand bluestem, little bluestem, sideoats grama and switchgrass are common decreasers. Sideoats gram and blue grama make up about 50 percent of the climax cover. Under continued grazing abuse, buffalograss increases and becomes important although it is only a minor part of the climax vegetation. Western ragweed and red threeawn are common invaders.

b. Annual range forage production potential

1. Total herbage yields in pounds air dry per acre in

a. Favorable climatic periods - 3000 lbs.

b. Unfavorable periods - 1500 lbs.

2. Yields are estimates based on limited clipping information.

MLRA 78C

 Technical Range Site Descriptions

1. Range Site Name: HARDLAND (South)

2. General Site Description and Location

a. Description

This is a deep, productive, slowly permeable, heavy upland prairie site. Slopes range from moderate to nearly level. It has a mixed short and mid grass aspect when in top range condition.

b. Location of site

1. Land resource area: South Rolling Red Plains

2. Counties: Beckham, Greer, Washita, Kiowa, Harmon, Comanche, Cotton, Tillman, Jackson, and Caddo Counties in Oklahoma.

3. Climate

Average annual precipitation varies from 22 to 30 inches across the site. From 55 to 60 percent of the years recorded are below average rainfall. Wide variations in both annual and seasonal precipitation are typical of the weather pattern. Although about 75 percent of the yearly rainfall comes during April though October, there is normally a drouthy period in July and August when range forage becomes more or less dormant. This amount will vary from 60 to 90 percent. There is very little snowfall. Wind movement is rather high. Windy days are most common from late February through May.

4. Topography and Elevation

The slopes of this site vary from gentle to moderate. Elevation ranges from 1000 to 1800 feet.

5. Soils

a. The soils are deep loams with rather impervious subsoils. The blocky clay subsoils restrict water intake and root penetration.

b. Soils in the site are: Tillman, LaCasa, Hollister, and Foard.

c. Complete soil descriptions are available in the Soil Survey Descriptive Legend or in the Soil Series of Oklahoma handbook.

6. Climax Vegetation

a. Climax grasses for this site include sand bluestem, little bluestem, switchgrass, western wheatgrass, and sideoats grama. Blue grama, buffalograss, vine-mesquite, and meadow dropseed are common increasers. Approximately 55 percent of the climax cover is made up by decreaser plants.

b. Annual range forage production potential

1. Total herbage yields in pounds air dry per acre in

a. Favorable climatic periods - 2900 lbs.

b. Unfavorable periods - 1500 lbs.

2. Yields are estimates based on limited clipping information.

MLRA 78C

 Technical Range Site Description

1. Range Site Name: SHALLOW PRAIRIE (North)

2. General Site Description and Location

a. Description

This is a mid-tall grass site often associated with the Breaks and Loamy Prairie sites of the Permian Redbeds. Cover varies from sparse to moderately dense as the differences in soil depth influence plant growth. On the whole it is a low producing site but is often so mixed with the Loamy Prairie site that it has to be mapped in a shallow-loamy complex.

b. Location of site

1. Land resource area: Northern Rolling Red Plains

2. Counties: Harper, Woods, Major, Woodward, Ellis, Caddo, Roger Mills, Custer, Beckham, Dewey, and Washita Counties in Oklahoma.

3. Climate

Average annual precipitation ranges from 22 to 28 inches. About 75 percent of this falls during the approximately 200-day frost-free period. Summer drouth, centering in August, and high evaporation during the summer lowers the effectiveness of the rainfall.

4. Topography and Elevation

For the most part this is a site of the steeper slopes, although it is all accessible to livestock. Ordinarily the site makes up a portion of the escarpments and dissected areas of the Permian red-beds. Elevation ranges from 1300 to 2500 feet.

5. Soils

a. This site is made up of Quinlan loam, a soil having not over 15 inches of solum above sandstone or sandy shales. It is a youthful soil and, because of its depth, the water holding capacity is low. It is inclined to be drouthy.

b. Soil in the site: Quinlan

c. Complete soil descriptions are available in the Soil Survey Descriptive Legend or in the Soil Series of Oklahoma handbook.

6. Climax Vegetation

a. Little bluestem is the principal climax grass. Small amounts of sand bluestem, sideoats grama, and hairy grama, and a variety of climax legumes and forbs make up the cover. Side-oats grama and hairy grama are the principal increasers.

b. Annual range forage production potential

1. Total herbage yields in pounds air dry per acre in

a. Favorable climatic periods - 2500 lbs.

b. Unfavorable periods - 900 lbs.

2. Yields are estimates based on limited clipping information.

MLRA 78C

 Technical Range Site Descriptions

1. Range Site Name: SHALLOW PRAIRIE (South)

2. General Site Description and Location

a. Description

Dolomitic limestone beds interbedded with red clays lying on smooth to rolling topography. Some shallow sandstone areas are included in the site. The shallow soil depth restricts grass production.

b. Location of site

1. Land resource area: Southern Rolling Red Plains

2. Counties: Beckham, Greer, Harmon, Jackson, and Kiowa Counties in Oklahoma.

3. Climate

The average annual precipitation ranges from 22 to 25 inches. About 75 percent of this falls during the frost-free period of approximately 210 days. Summer drouths, commonly occurring in late July and August, and high evaporation lowers the effectiveness of the precipitation. The low water holding capacity and relatively high runoff on this site contributes to low productivity.

3. Topography and Elevation

Topography is gently sloping to steeply rolling. Elevation ranges from 1300 to 1800 feet.

4. Soils

a. This site includes very shallow and shallow calcareous, loamy soils of undulating to rolling Permian uplands. The surface soils range from fine sandy loam to silt loam and are red and calcareous. The depth to underlying bedrock, which may be dolomitic limestone or calcareous sandy or silty redbeds, ranges from 2 to 20 inches and is mostly 5 to 15 inches. The soils developed from limestone frequently have stony surfaces with occasional limestone outcrops. Soils here are drouthy and susceptible to water erosion. Insoak and permeability rates are moderate, but the shallowness and topography allow considerable runoff.

b. Soils in the site are: Harmon and Quinlan

c. Complete soil descriptions are available in the Soil Survey Descriptive Legend or in the Soil Series of Oklahoma handbook.

5. Climax Vegetation

a. Common decreaser grasses are little bluestem and sand bluestem, although the density is relatively low. Principal increasers are sideoats grama and hairy grama. Common legumes are rushpea sp., prairieclover, prairie bundleflower, and catclaw sensitivebrier.

Decreasers make up approximately 45 percent of the climax vegetation.

b. Annual range forage production potential

1. Total herbage yields in pounds air dry per acre in

a. Favorable climatic periods - 1800 lbs.

b. Unfavorable periods - 1000 lbs.

2. Yield estimates are based on limited clipping information.

MLRA 80A 

Technical Range Site Descriptions

1. Range Site Name: LOAMY PRAIRIE

2. General Site Description and Location

a. Description

This a productive range site composed of deep loamy upland soils. Slopes are gentle to steeply rolling. Under the best range conditions little bluestem and big bluestem dominate the site and there is very little woody vegetation.

b. Location of site

1. Land resource area: Central and Western Reddish Prairie

2. Counties: Garfield, Grant, Noble, Kay, Kingfisher, Logan, Payne, Canadian, Grady, Caddo, Stephens, Jefferson, McClain, Cleveland, and Oklahoma Counties in Oklahoma.

3. Climate

This site is characterized by hot, often dry summers; mild autumns; mild to cold winters; and moist, cool spring periods. There is a 7-inch precipitation range across this site. Due to the fluctuating climatic cycles, there is some change in relative amounts of various grass species, although changes are not as pronounced as in the Loamy Prairie site of the Rolling Red Plains.

Warm season grasses are dominant due to the favorable late spring, early summer, and fall precipitation. Approximately 70 percent of the total precipitation occurs during the April through October period. High intensity storms are common and this emphasizes the need for good range management to encourage insoak.

4. Topography and Elevation

The slopes are gently to steeply rolling. Elevation varies from 800 to 1200 feet.

5. Soils

a. The site is includes deep, neutral to slightly acid, loamy upland soils with slow to medium permeability. The insoak rates are moderate to rapid and all soils have high water holding capacity and good soil-plant-moisture relationship. These are moderately to highly productive soils and well suited for deep rooted forage plants.

b. Soils in the site are: Vanoss, Wichita, Zaneis, Bethany, Grant, Nash, Carey, Carmen, Chickasha very fine sandy loam, Enterprise very fine sandy loam, Norge, and Creek, St. Paul, and Kingfisher.

c. Complete soil descriptions are available in the Soil Survey Descriptive Legend or in the Soil Series of Oklahoma handbook.

6. Climax Vegetation

a. Vegetation is composed primarily of little bluestem, big bluestem, Indiangrass, and switchgrass. These decreasers along with Canada wildrye represent about 70 percent of the vegetation. Principal increaser grasses are sideoats grama and blue grama. Leadplant, wildindigo, scurfpea, and prairie acacia are common legumes.

b. Annual range forage production potential

1. Total herbage yields in pounds air dry per acre in

a. Favorable climatic periods - 5000 lbs.

b. Unfavorable periods - 2500 lbs.

2. Yields are estimates based on limited clipping information.

MLRA 80A

Technical Range Site Descriptions

1. Range Site Name: CLAYPAN PRAIRIE

2. General Site Description and Location

a. Description

Prairie soils underlain with dense clay subsoil that restricts root growth and moisture penetration, which somewhat limits forage production. The topsoil becomes saturated during wet periods and extremely dry during drouth periods.

b. Location of site

1. Land resource area: Reddish Prairie

2. Counties: Garfield, Noble, Kay, Blaine, Kingfisher, Pawnee, Logan, Payne, Canadian, Oklahoma, and Cleveland Counties in Oklahoma.

3. Climate

Dry subhumid on the west, to moist subhumid on the eastern boundary. Average annual precipitation from 28 to 34 inches, with 75 percent coming during the summer growing season of 200 to 220 days.

4. Topography and Elevation

The site generally occurs on nearly level to moderately sloping areas. Elevation varies from 1000 to 1500 feet from east to west.

5. Soils

a. The site is comprised of silt loam to clay loam surface soils (8 to 12 inches in depth) and compact blocky clay subsoils. The three characteristic soils are Tabler, a level upland soil often slightly depressed and subject to seasonal wetness; Kirkland, and Renfrow, occurring on gentle slopes and having adequate surface drainage.

b. Soils in the site are: Tabler, Kirkland and Renfrow, ( silt loams).

c. Complete soil descriptions are available in the Soil Survey Descriptive Legend or in the Soil Series of Oklahoma handbook.

6. Climax Vegetation

a. Predominate climax grasses are big bluestem, little bluestem, Indiangrass, and switchgrass. These tall grasses comprise about 50 percent of the total vegetation. The shorter subdominate grasses such as sideoats grama, blue grama and buffalograss generally constitute about 30 to 40 percent of the vegetation. Abuse due to over grazing will result in rapid reduction of the tall grasses and an increase of the shorter sub-dominants. With continued abuse, buffalograss and blue grama become dominant with an overstory of weedy forbs and annual threeawn usually present.

b. Annual range forage production potential

1. Total herbage yields in pounds air dry per acre in

a. Favorable climatic periods - 4000 lbs.

b. Unfavorable periods - 2000 lbs.

2. Yields are estimates based on limited clipping information.

MLRA 80A

Technical Range Site Descriptions

1. Range Site Name: SHALLOW PRAIRIE (Central)

2. General Site Description and Location

a. Description

Gently sloping to moderately steep shallow prairie soils. Rock usually appears on the surface, often over 15 to 20 percent of the area, and occurs in the profile. The site occurs along ridges or ledges, often adjacent to Loamy or Red Clay Prairie sites.

b. Location of site

1. Land resource area: Cherokee Prairie (western), Bluestem Hills, Reddish Prairie, and Western Grand Prairie.

2. Counties: Osage, Pawnee, Garfield, Logan, Noble, Comanche, Oklahoma, Kay, Creek, Payne and Lincoln Counties in Oklahoma.

3. Climate

Moist subhumid with annual precipitation ranging from 34 to 40 inches from west to east. Approximately 75 percent of the moisture occurs during the summer growing season which varies from 200 to 210 days.

4. Topography and Elevation

Found on moderate to steep slopes. Elevation ranges from 800 to 1300 feet.

5. Soils

a. Shallow soils found on rather steep slopes developed from sandstone, shale or limestone. The Collinsville and Lucien soils have loam textured surface soils and were developed on noncalcareous sandstone and shaly sandstones. The Talihina soils have a clay loam or clay surface soil and were developed from shales. There is a fair plant-soil-moisture relationship.

b. Soil in the site are: Collinsville, Collinsville-Talihina, and Lucien. Also included are some gravelly and stony lime-stone soils.

c. Complete soils descriptions are available in the Soil Survey Descriptive Legend, or in the Soil Series of Oklahoma handbook.

6. Climax Vegetation

a. Predominately a mid-tall grass climax. Little bluestem, big bluestem, Indiangrass and switchgrass comprise approximately 50 to 60 percent of the vegetation. Meadow dropseed and Scribners=s panicum increase on the deeper soils under grazing abuse. Numerous decreaser legumes such as catclaw sensitivebrier, Illinois bundleflower, Virginia tephrosia, leadplant, and white, purple, and roundhead prairieclovers occur on this site.

b. Annual range forage production potential

1. Total herbage yields in pounds air dry per acre in

a. Favorable climatic periods - 3000 lbs.

b. Unfavorable periods - 1500 lbs.

2. Yields are estimates based on limited clipping information.

MLRA 80A

Technical Range Site Descriptions

1. Range Site Name: SANDY PRAIRIE

2. General Site Description and Location

a. Description

Deep, moderately sandy uplands occurring on hummocky or gently to steeply rolling topography. Some skunkbush and other woody species are usually associated with this site.

b. Location of site

1. Land resource area: Reddish Prairie

2. Counties: Alfalfa, Caddo, Kingfisher, Canadian, Major and Blaine Counties in Oklahoma.

3. Climate

The average annual precipitation ranges from 28 to 32 inches. Most of the rainfall occurs during the spring and fall. Occasional drouths are to be expected. Hot dry winds slow forage production during July and August. The average warm growing season ranges from 205 to 215 days. The climate favors warm season forage plants.

4. Topography and Elevation

Gently to steeply rolling or hummocky topography occurring on uplands. Elevation ranges from 1,000 to1,300 feet above sea level.

5. Soils

a. These are deep, permeable soils with fine sandy loam A horizons. The subsoils allow deep plant root and water penetration. Runoff is low and water-holding capacity is fair to moderate. The potential for range forage production is high.

b. Soils in the site are: Fine sandy loams, including Minco, Cobb, Pratt, Enterprise, Albion, Shellabarger, Carwile, and Chickasha.

c. Complete soil descriptions are available in the Soil Survey Descriptive Legend or in the Soil Series of Oklahoma handbook.

6. Climax Vegetation

a. The principal decreaser grasses are sand bluestem, little bluestem, switchgrass and indiangrass. Principal increaser grasses are sideoats grama and blue grama. Sand dropseed is a common invader grass.

Skunkbush is a common woody increaser. Decreaser species will make up 70 percent of the climax cover.

b. Annual range forage production potential

1. Total herbage yields in pounds air dry per acre in

a. Favorable climatic periods - 4500 lbs.

b. Unfavorable periods - 2000 lbs.

2. Yields are estimates based on limited clipping information.

MLRA 84A

Technical Range Site Descriptions

1. Range Site Name: SHALLOW PRAIRIE (Central)

2. General Site Description and Location

a. Description

Gently sloping to moderately steep shallow prairie soils. Rock usually appears on the surface, often over 15 to 20 percent of the area, and occurs in the profile. The site occurs along ridges or ledges, often adjacent to Loamy or Red Clay Prairie sites.

b. Location of site

1. Land resource area: Cherokee Prairie (western), Bluestem Hills, Reddish Prairie, and Western Grand Prairie.

2. Counties: Osage, Pawnee, Garfield, Logan, Noble, Comanche, Oklahoma, Kay, Creek, Payne and Lincoln Counties in Oklahoma.

3. Climate

Moist subhumid with annual precipitation ranging from 34 to 40 inches from west to east. Approximately 75 percent of the moisture occurs during the summer growing season which varies from 200 to 210 days.

4. Topography and Elevation

Found on moderate to steep slopes. Elevation ranges from 800 to 1300 feet.

5. Soils

a. Shallow soils found on rather steep slopes developed from sandstone, shale or limestone. The Collinsville and Lucien soils have loam textured surface soils and were developed on noncalcareous sandstone and shaly sandstones. The Talihina soils have a clay loam or clay surface soil and were developed from shales. There is a fair plant-soil-moisture relationship.

b. Soil in the site are: Collinsville, Collinsville-Talihina, and Lucien. Also included are some gravelly and stony lime-stone soils.

c. Complete soils descriptions are available in the Soil Survey Descriptive Legend, or in the Soil Series of Oklahoma handbook.

6. Climax Vegetation

a. Predominately a mid-tall grass climax. Little bluestem, big bluestem, Indiangrass and switchgrass comprise approximately 50 to 60 percent of the vegetation. Meadow dropseed and Scribners=s panicum increase on the deeper soils under grazing abuse. Numerous decreaser legumes such as catclaw sensitivebrier, Illinois bundleflower, Virginia tephrosia, leadplant, and white, purple, and roundhead prairieclovers occur on this site.

b. Annual range forage production potential

1. Total herbage yields in pounds air dry per acre in

a. Favorable climatic periods - 3000 lbs.

b. Unfavorable periods - 1500 lbs.

2. Yields are estimates based on limited clipping information.

 

MLRA 84A

Technical Range Site Descriptions

1. Range Site Name: DEEP SAND SAVANNAH (26" - 31" ppt.)

2. General Site Description and Location

a. Description

Loamy and coarse sands that yield moisture to pants readily. Post oak, blackjack oak, and other woody plants characterize the site and increase greatly under improper management.

b. Location of site

1. Land resource area: Eastern Rolling Red Plains and Western Cross Timbers.

2. Counties: Major, Dewey, Blaine, Garfield, Grant, Canadian, Alfalfa, Kingfisher, Caddo, and Comanche Counties in Oklahoma.

3. Climate

Annual average precipitation of this range site is 26 - 31 inches. Important to kinds and amounts of vegetation is the wide fluctuation of annual and seasonal rainfall. Extreme annual precipitation has ranged from highs of 57 inches to lows of 15 inches. Average frost-free period is about 210 days, with 75 percent of the annual rainfall falling in this period. Summer drouths of three weeks or longer duration are frequent. During favorable climatic periods the site can support a productive stand of mid and tall grasses. There is normally some thinning out of these tall grasses during long drouth cycles. Short summer drouths during late July and August often prevent seed production of little bluestem and retard range recovery.

4. Topography and Elevation

Elevation ranges from 1000 to 1600 feet across the site. The topography is rolling, becoming duney on some of the Nobscot areas.

5. Soils

a. This site includes moderately acid to acid upland soils that are very sandy. The soil profiles are fine sand, 12 to 36 inches or more in depth, over loamy fine sand to sandy clay loam subsoils. They ave high insoak rates and allow little runoff..

Moisture holding capacity is fair These soils are rater infertile and very susceptible to wind erosion. The rapid infiltration and deep percolation of water in these soils make this site most suitable for deep rooted forage and woody plant species.

b. Soils in the site are: Nobscot fine sand, Brownfield fine sand, Nobscot-Brownfield fine sand, and Eufaula fine sand..

Complete soil descriptions are available in the Soil Survey Descriptive Legend or in the Soil Series of Oklahoma handbook.

6. Climax Vegetation

a. Sand bluestem and little bluestem are the most important grasses in the climax cover. Less common decreasers are switchgrass and Indiangrass. A thin stand of post oak and blackjack oak brush is normal for the site and in the western part some shinnery oak occurs. Wild lespedezas and other legumes are normally quite common in high range conditions. Increaser grasses include sideoats grama, hairy grama, blue grama, sand lovegrass, sand paspalum and purpletop. Decreaser range plants represent 45 to 55 percent of the total climax vegetation.

b. Annual range forage production potential

1. Total herbage yields in pounds air dry per acre in

a. Favorable climatic periods - 4200 lbs.

b. Unfavorable periods - 1750 lbs.

2. Yields are estimates based on limited clipping information.

 

MLRA 84A

Technical Range Site Descriptions

1. Range Site Name: DEEP SAND SAVANNAH (32" - 39" ppt.)

2. General Site Description and Location

a. Description

This site varies from nearly level to moderately steep coarse textured upland soils. Vegetation is a mixture of hardwood brush and tall prairie grasses. The largest areas occur on the north side of major rivers.

b. Location of site

1. Land resource area: Cross Timbers and some western extensions of the Forested Coastal Plains.

2. Counties: Jefferson, Love, Marshall, Johnson, Murray, Carter, Stephens, Garvin, Pontotoc, Hughes, Tulsa, Okmulgee, Pottawatomie, Seminole, Cleveland, McClain, Grady, Oklahoma, Lincoln, Payne, Logan, Osage, Kay, and Pawnee Counties in Oklahoma.

3. Climate

Subhumid on the west to moist subhumid on the east, as described by C. W. Thornthaite. Sixty-five to 70 percent of the average annual precipitation comes during the warm season, April 1 to September 30. Moisture received during the growth period encourages the growth of the warm season species.

4. Topography and Elevation

Usually gently sloping to moderately steep topography. Elevations above sea level vary from approximately 1000 feet on the west to 700 on the east.

5. Soils

a. These deep sandy permeable soils take in moisture readily and, under climax conditions, there is usually very little runoff. It is the deep sandy profile for root development and readily available moisture that encourages growth of woody species. However, since the soils are low in fertility and moisture holding capacity, the vegetation is a mixture of woods and prairie.

b. Soils in the site are: Dougherty, Stidham, Eufaula and Derby.

Dougherty and Stidham are red-yellow padzolic soils. The upper 14 to 20 inches of the surface is a loamy fine sand. The B2 horizon is a red or yellowing red sandy clay loam. Eufaula loamy fine sand differs from the above, having a fine sand or a loamy fine sand at least 36 inches thick. Below three feet some areas have a thin alluviated B horizon. The Derby series occur along the western most edge of this site. They have developed a darker and thicker surface horizon.

c. Complete soil descriptions are available in the Soil Survey Descriptive Legend or in the Soil Series of Oklahoma handbook.

6. Climax Vegetation

a. When in excellent condition class, this site supports a vegetative cover composed of 75 percent grasses and forbs, along with a 25 percent crown canopy of woody species. Forage species by category are: Eighty percent climax decreasers, with the principal ones being big bluestem, sand bluestem, Indiangrass, little bluestem, switchgrass, broadleaf uniola and beaked panicum; increasers - purpletop, tall dropseed, Scribners=s panicum and sand lovegrass; invaders that come in with prolonged mismanagement are broomsedge bluestem, splitbeard bluestem, showy partridgepea, ragweeds, and white snakeroot.

Principal woody species are post oak, blackjack oak, hickory, winged elm and persimmon. When prolonged heavy grazing use occurs, the decreaser plants thin out and the space vacated fills in with oak sprouts. In this condition, this site is sometimes mistakenly classified as forest land. Treatment by mechanical or chemical means is required in addition to good management to restore productive potential.

b. Annual range forage production potential

1. Total herbage yields in pounds air dry per acre in

a. Favorable climatic periods - 3800 lbs.

b. Unfavorable periods - 1900 lbs.

2. Yields are estimates based on limited clipping information.

MLRA 84A

Technical Range Site Descriptions

1. Range Site Name: SANDY SAVANNAH (28" - 32" ppt.)

2. General Site Description and Location

a. Description

Gently to steeply sloping productive fine sandy loams that support mid and tall grasses mixed with post oak, blackjack oak and associated woody vegetation.

b. Location of site

1. Land resource area: Western Cross Timbers

2. Counties: Caddo, Grady, Comanche, Canadian, and Blaine Counties in Oklahoma.

3. Climate

Annual precipitation varies from 28 to 32 inches. Approximately 70 percent of the rainfall occurs from April through October, which favors warm season vegetation. However, the good soil moisture capacity of this site encourages a moderate production of cool season vegetation. The characteristic high intensity storms are particularly damaging on this site if a good cover of vegetation is not maintained.

4. Topography and Elevation

Gently to steeply rolling areas and footslopes. Elevation ranges from about 1100 to 1600 feet.

5. Soils

a. Deep, friable, reddish brown to brown fine sandy loam soils of uplands and gently sloping fans. The slightly acid to mildly alkaline surface soils are underlain by noncalcareous fine sandy loam, loam, or sandy clay loam subsoils. The parent materials are friable, reddish, noncalcareous fine sandy loam to light sandy clay loam. The effective depth of the soil is generally more than five feet. Runoff is slow to moderately rapid and permeability is moderately rapid to medium. Moisture holding capacity is moderate to high. Water erosion is a hazard on the more sloping soils with gullies fairly common, and wind erosion hazard is moderate on all unprotected soils.

b. Soils in the site are: ANoble@ fine sandy loam, and Cobb fine sandy loam.

c. Complete soil descriptions are available in the Soil Survey Descriptive Legend or in the Soil Series of Oklahoma handbook.

6. Climax Vegetation

a. Mid-tall grassland site, intermixed with scattered oak, cedar, and other woody species.

Principal decreaser grasses are sand bluestem, and little bluestem. Also common to the site are Indiangrass, switchgrass, Texas bluegrass and flatsedge sp. Sideoats grama is a major increaser grass. Decreasers represent about 65 percent of the total vegetation. Weedy vegetation should not exceed 10 percent of the climax cover.

b. Annual range forage production potential

1. Total herbage yields in pounds air dry per acre in

a. Favorable climatic periods - 4500 lbs.

b. Unfavorable periods - 2500 lbs.

2. Yields are estimates based on limited clipping information.

MLRA 84A

Technical Range Site Descriptions

1. Range Site Name: SANDY SAVANNAH (33" - 36" ppt.)

2. General Site Description and Location

a. Description

Gently to steeply sloping productive sandyland, that supports mid and tall grasses mixed with some post oak, blackjack oak and associated woody vegetation.

b. Location of site

1. Land resource area: Central Cross Timbers and Granitic Soils

2. Counties: Kay, Payne, Garfield, Noble, Pawnee, Logan, Lincoln, Oklahoma, Cleveland, Pottawatomie, McClain, Garvin, Stephens, Murray, Jefferson, Carter, Love, and Marshall Counties in Oklahoma.

3. Climate

Annual precipitation varies from 33 to 36 inches. Approximately 70 percent of the rainfall occurs from April through October, which favors warm season vegetation. However, the good soil moisture capacity of this site, along with the tree shade influence on evaporation rates encourages a moderate production of cool season grasses and sedges. If a good cover of vegetation is not maintained, the high intensity storms are particularly damaging.

4. Topography and Elevation

Gently to steeply rolling uplands and footslopes. Elevation ranges from about 700 to 1100 feet.

5. Soils

a. These are deep permeable, deep to moderately deep medium textured soils. They are very susceptible to severe water and wind erosion unless good cover is maintained. Range forage productivity is moderate to high under proper grazing management. The Chigley soils are somewhat lower in productivity and further studies are needed on kinds and amounts of vegetation produced on this soil.

b. Soils in the site are: Stephenville, Windthorst, Gilson, Chigley and ANoble@.

c. Complete soil descriptions are available in the Soil Survey Descriptive Legend or in the Soil Series of Oklahoma handbook.

6. Climax Vegetation

a. Principal decreaser grasses are little bluestem, Indiangrass, big bluestem, and switchgrass. These species should comprise at least 45 percent of the total vegetation cover. Common cool season plants are Canada and Virginia wildrye, Texas bluegrass, and flatsedge species.

Woody species include post oak, blackjack oak, hickory, ash, elm, bumelia, coralberry, persimmon, poison ivy, grape and hackberry. These species should not exceed 20 percent of the total cover.

b. Annual range forage production potential

1. Total herbage yields in pounds air dry per acre in

a. Favorable climatic periods - 4500 lbs.

b. Unfavorable periods - 2500 lbs.

2. Yields are estimates based on limited clipping information.