Sheep: A method for controlling rangeland weeds
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Authors: B. E. Olson, and J. R. Lacey
Date: 1994
Journal: Sheep Research Journal
Volume: Special Issue
Number:
Pages: 105-112
Summary of Methods: This paper is a synthesis of 60 articles examining the use of sheep grazing as a tool for grazing rangeland weeds.
Article Summary / Main Points: • The physiology and dietary preference of sheep makes them well adapted to be selective if needed or to consume a varied diet of either high or low quality while meeting their needs. • The use of sheep grazing to control leafy spurge, spotted knapweed, fringed sagewort, kudzu, oxeye daisy, small clubmoss, tall larkspur and St. John’s wort is being implemented and evaluative with varied results many of them favorable. • Federal agencies are beginning to use sheep grazing to control weeds, and this demand is expected to increase. • As with anything economic return for producer is always a consideration that needs to be evaluated. • Any successful gazing prescription utilizing sheep for weed control are going to capitalize on the natural attributes of sheep, and a good understand of how to manipulate that behavior to achieve the desired goal.
Vegetation Types: All Vegetation Types
MLRA Ecoregions: Not Applicable
Agrovoc Control Words: Weeds Rangelands Grazing
Article Review Type: Refereed
Article Type: Scientific Synthesis
Keywords: sheep, leafy spurge, knapweed, oxeye daisly, kudzu, clubmoss, larkspur, st. johnswort, thistle, dyers woad, prescription grazing, weeds, grazing, targeted grazing
Annotation: This is a good summary of sheep grazing as a potential tool for controlling many weedy species. A major challenge still to be overcome is how to overcome the economic expenses the producers will incur when assisting land managers in meeting their weed management goals (Frost and Lanuchbaugh, 2003, Rangelands 25:43-47, available in the RSIS database).
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