Native Plants Support Grazing Lands

By Scout Nelson

Rangelands in the Northern Great Plains are often recognized for their tall grass landscapes, but wildflowers and shrubs also play an important role in these ecosystems. These native plants support livestock, wildlife, and pollinators while helping maintain healthy soils and resilient grasslands.

Although many wildflowers are sometimes seen as weeds or unwanted plants, they hold significant value for both agriculture and the environment.

Some land managers use broadleaf herbicides to control unwanted plants, but large broadcast spraying can remove important native wildflowers by mistake. This reduces plant diversity and affects wildlife and pollinators that depend on these species. It also limits access to natural sources of minerals and nutrients for livestock.

Wildflowers and shrubs offer protein, minerals, and essential nutrients that livestock need. In some cases, their forage quality is higher than common grasses used for grazing. Their deep and diverse root systems help water soak into the soil, reduce erosion, improve soil structure, and increase drought resistance.

These plants also attract pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and other insects that help maintain healthy ecosystems.

To help ranchers, students, and land managers better understand the value of these plants, the USDA NRCS, Xerces Society, SDSU Extension, and other partners created a guide titled Rangeland Wildflowers: Their Value to Livestock and Pollinators. This guide covers common wildflowers and shrubs found across the Northern Great Plains.

The guide features 19 species profiles and includes photos, plant ranges, identification tips, forage quality details, and mineral content information. It also explains the types of pollinators that visit each species and how the plants support them. The nutrition data comes from the Rangeland Wildflower Nutrition Project, a partnership among universities, conservation groups, and extension specialists.

This resource helps people recognize these important plants and understand why they matter to rangeland health. The guide is available online through the Xerces Society, and printed copies also be requested by contacting Emily Rohrer, NRCS State Rangeland Management Specialist; or Kaylee Wheeler, SDSU Extension Range Field Specialist. 

Wildflowers are more than just colorful plants; they are essential partners in keeping rangelands healthy, productive, and resilient for livestock, pollinators, and future generations.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-imaginegolf