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Implementing Noxious Weed Control Through Multi-Species Grazing

Implementing Noxious Weed Control Through Multi-Species Grazing

Summary/Abstract

Summary

A partnership including private landowners, a contract sheep and goat grazer, Washington State University Extension, USDA/ARS, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Big Bend RC & D have joined forces to investigate the use of multi-species grazing as a tool, in combination with herbicides, mechanical clipping and/or tillage, in the control of noxious weed infestations. Grazing combinations of cattle, sheep and goats will be evaluated as a tool in an integrated pest management strategy in the control of invasive plants. Two field sites have been selected in Eastern Washington to monitor treatment impact over three grazing seasons (2004-2006).

Objectives/Performance Targets

Objectives as listed in proposal

Management Support Group (MSG): One MSG group made up of 6-12 participants and livestock owners involved in the SARE/PDP, Noxious Weed Control Through Multi-Species Grazing and other cooperators will be formed by January 1, 2003.

Holistic system: Develop a holistic systems approach on two ranch units, involving 2,600 acres, to address the control of invasive plants and noxious weeds, including Russian olive, Scotch thistle, perennial pepperweed and knapweed species. This system will evaluate weed management effectiveness and long-term sustainability of control, and it will outline a process that is economically, environmentally and socially sound.

Overall effectiveness: Compare overall effectiveness of the holistic system to an herbicide only system.

Information dispersal: Provide information to producers and the community to improve their ability to formulate land management decisions based on sustainability of the weed control methods.

Producer involvement in studies: Involve 10 additional producers in designing and implementing studies to insure the information meets the needs of producers and is transferred to a larger audience.

Hands-on teaching: Provide participants with a deeper understanding of the concepts of multi-species grazing by teaching what they have learned to the public and their peers at 3 tours held each year beginning in 2005.

Enterprise evaluation: Evaluate the feasibility of adding additional enterprises such as hair sheep, cashmere fiber-producing goats and meat goats.

Forage quality: Determine if forage quality is adequate to meet animal nutritional needs at various stages of plant growth and biological stages of the livestock species used.

Livestock management: Evaluate the effectiveness of each livestock species in utilizing each noxious weed species. Determine the most appropriate livestock species to be used at different stages of growth for each noxious weed. Gain knowledge of when, how much, and how often to graze the animals to have the maximum impact on the weeds with minimum impact on the desirable species.

Secondary compounds: Determine if there are any secondary compounds that may inhibit the utilization of the noxious weeds, as well as the impact on soils and plant germination.

Professional publications: Publish information and results of the study in 2 professional journals and 2 regional media publications.





Project Content Page

2003 Proposal

Project Number: SW03-006
Type: Research and Education Project
Region: West
SARE Grant: $187,935
Federal Matching Funds: $187,935

Coordinator:

Donald D. Nelson
Extension Beef Specialist
Washington State University
P.O. Box 646310
Pullman, WA 99164
Phone: 509/335-2922
E-mail: nelsond@wsu.edu

Participants:
Michael Carpinelli
NRCS
1041 Mesa Blvd., Suite C
Grants , NM 87020
Phone: 505/285-6963
E-mail: carpinelli_michael@yahoo.com

Michael Crowder
General Manager
Barker Ranch
85305 Snively Rd.
West Richland , WA 99353
Phone: 509/521-3663
E-mail: barkerranch@verizon.net

James Dobrowolski
Extension Range Hydrologist
Washington State University
P.O. Box 646410
Pullman , WA 99164
Phone: 509/335-7294
E-mail: dobrowol@wsu.edu

Amy Hummer
M.S. Graduate Student
WSU/Tri-Cities Campus
1650 Mowry Square #200
Richland , WA 99352
Phone: 509/521-4153
E-mail: alhummer@hotmail.com

Craig Madsen
Owner
Healing Hooves, LLC
P.O. Box 148
Edwall , WA 99008
Phone: 509/990-7132
E-mail: madsen2fir@gotsky.com
Website: http://www.healinghooves.com

Andrea Mann
Coordinator
Big Bend RC & D
2145 Basin St., Suite B
Ephrata , WA 98823
Phone: 509/754-2463
E-mail: andrea.mann@wa.usda.gov

Skip Stonesifer
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
215 Melody Lane, Rm. 136
Wenatchee , WA 98801
Phone: 509/664-2793
E-mail: Skip_Stonesifer@rl.fws.gov
This project and all associated reports and support materials were supported by the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture- National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA). Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed within do not necessarily reflect the view of the SARE program or the U.S. Department of Agriculture. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.