While research on invasive rangeland plants such as medusahead (Taeniatherum caput-medusae) has been advancing for decades, adoption of practices by ranchers is limited due to logistical and financial constraints as well as uncertainty in practice outcomes since research plot level does not always translate to pasture scale.�� The first part of this project focused on extending research through decision support.� Working with a producer, intial meetings were held to detail management practices research has indicated to be effective in Medusahead management at a pasture scale.� The rancher identified practices that best fit with the ranch goals in mind and a grazing management plan was created.� Five research units were created in two pastures.� Species composition and medusahead cover were recorded prior to the start of the project and exclosures were created to measureforage production.� Seeding a competitive species of annual grass and timed grazing management were the two practices selected by the rancher.� Annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) was selected as the species to plant for its similar phenology to medusahead and was intended as an intermediate step in the ranch goals to increase forage palatability and move towards perennial grasses in the future.� Only three pastures were planted, the same pastures each year, while the other two were left status quo.� All pastures had livestock turned in at the same time, and grazed to same stock density.� Field days were held to extend the information and results and allow other ranchers to see practices in action on a pasture scale.� Issues that impact practice effectiveness at the pasture scale include immediate concerns for feeding cattle vs long-term goals; need to move cattle to other pastures/ranches before optimal timing to control medusahead and consequently increased medusahead decreases palatable forage for fall.
Oral presentation and poster titles, abstracts, and authors from the Society for Range Management (SRM) Annual Meetings and Tradeshows, from 2013 forward.