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EVALUATING MULTI-SPECIES TARGETED GRAZING FOR CHEATGRASS CONTROL
Author
Mealor, Brian A.
Noseworthy, Cara E.
Publisher
Society for Range Management
Publication Year
2015
Body

Cheatgrass is a widespread, damaging invasive plant across rangelands in western North America. Although a good early spring forage, it is considered unreliable. Herbicides are commonly used to control downy brome, but targeted grazing could provide an alternative option for land managers. Few studies have directly compared herbicides and targeted grazing for downy brome control. This study's objectives are to: determine the effectiveness of targeted grazing for downy brome control, determine the effects of livestock species and timing on downy brome populations, and compare the results to those of commonly used herbicide treatments. Plots are located in Lingle, Wyoming and arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replicates of twelve treatments. Grazing treatments included two factors: species (cattle, sheep, or both) and timing (spring, fall, or both spring and fall). Stocking density was constant across all treatments at approximately 247 au ha-1 with a goal of 90% utilization. Treatments were applied in spring and fall of 2013 and spring of 2014. Herbicide treatments included imazapic at 123 g ai ha-1 and rimsulfuron at 52.5 g ai ha-1 applied early post-emergent in fall 2013. Canopy cover data were collected pre and post treatment and biomass and seed production data were collected mid-summer 2014, and analyzed using a two-way ANOVA. Almost all treatments reduced cheatgrass cover (p=0.005). Spring grazing treatments decreased cheatgrass biomass regardless of livestock species (p = <0.001). From this preliminary analysis, we conclude that targeted grazing in the spring has potential as a control method for cheatgrass, especially small infestations, but extensive infestations would likely require large inputs of labor, time, and funds.

Language
English
Resource Type
Text
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Conference Name
SRM Sacramento, CA
Collection
SRM Annual Meeting Abstracts