The effects of cattle grazing alone and grazing paired with herbicide application on yellow starthistle, ability of annual and perennial grasses to suppress yellow starthistle through competition, and reduction of yellow starthistle through timed defoliation were examined at two sites in California over a three year time period (only one year has been completed). The first site was 20 miles southwest of Red Bluff and the second site was located 20 miles west of Maxwell, CA. Sites were grazed early and late in the growing season; Herbicide applications of 2,4-D were applied during the rosette stage just before bolt. Cattle were stocked at 40-100 cows per acre with various grazing periods of 2.5-24 hours to influence intensity, which was classified as light, moderate and heavy.
Citations and enhanced abstracts for journals articles and documents focused on rangeland ecology and management. RSIS is a collaboration between Montana State University, University of Idaho, and University of Wyoming.