AoR 8: Karen Launchbaugh, Targeted Grazing to Control Weeds

Ralph Waldo Emerson said that a weed is "a plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered". Tip's guest, Karen Launchbaugh, says that some "plants out of place" present serious ecological and ecological challenges to land managers but that some unwanted plants have redeeming qualities, particularly for domestic grazing animals. They discuss exotic species, various control strategies for weeds, success stories, integrated pest management principles, and, of course, using specific grazing timing and intensity and class of animal to suppress weed populations. SURVEY Please take 60 seconds to complete this quick 5-question survey and to access continuing education credits (CPRM only): https://wsu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4GHpHVHlsouSorr TRANSCRIPT The full transcript of this episode is available at: https://www.dropbox.com/home/Art%20of%20Range%20transcripts RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE USEFUL WEBSITES https://targetedgrazing.org University of Idaho targeted grazing research papers: https://targetedgrazing.org/research/ The same site has grazing prescriptions for many individual species: knapweed, leafy spurge, starthistle, canada thistle, etc. https://targetedgrazing.org/prescriptions/ Targeted Grazing Handbook. This landowner-oriented reference guide has individual chapters for various grazing goals, such as controlling brush, enhancing wildlife habitat, limiting wildfire, orchard understory management, and more. https://targetedgrazing.org/other-resources/targeted-grazing/ Rangeland journal article from 2012: "Targeted Grazing: Applying the Research to the Land". https://journals.uair.arizona.edu/index.php/rangelands/article/download/19480/19120 BEHAVE project (Behavioral Education for Human, Animal, Vegetation, and Ecosystem Management) http://behave.net/ SUCCESS STORIES Idaho Rangeland Resources Commission article, "Ray Holes--The Goat King". https://idrange.org/range-stories/north-central-idaho/ray-holes-the-goat-king-using-goats-to-combat-noxious-weeds/ BEEF Magazine article, "Use target grazing to take aim at invasive weeds" https://www.beefmagazine.com/americancowman/pasture-and-range/target-grazing Leafy spurge control in Alberta, Jan 2019 article at The Western Producer: https://www.producer.com/2019/01/alberta-sheep-ranch-focuses-on-grazing/ CONTRACT VEGETATION MANAGEMENT PRACTITIONERS Livestock for Landscapes Network. http://www.livestockforlandscapes.com/network.htm This site lists, by state, livestock businesses who have their shingle out to conduct contract weed control work. Businesses in the PNW: Craig Madsen, Healing Hooves: https://www.healinghooves.com/ Ray Holes. Ray Holes, [email protected], 208-740-9264 Nicole Bellows & Larry Davis, NW Goat Grazers. https://www.northwestgoatgrazers.com/