Utilization is a measure of how much of the forage available on an allotment has been consumed by grazing animals in a particular grazing season.  It is expressed as a percentage, sometimes by particular plant species.  Percentage ceilings are included in grazing permit decisions to manage the amount of forage consumed on an allotment. 

The photos below show utilization levels on several allotments in the Jarbidge Field Office at the end of the 2011-2012 grazing season.  
Click on a thumbnail to see a larger image. 

Range management :: Grazing as multiple use | Permitting | Monitoring : Utilization | Range improvements