Noxious Weed Control Through Multi-Species Grazing

Project Overview

EW01-006
Project Type: Professional Development Program
Funds awarded in 2001: $64,501.00
Projected End Date: 12/31/2003
Matching Non-Federal Funds: $29,149.00
Region: Western
State: Washington
Principal Investigator:
Dr. Donald D. Nelson
Email
Washington State University

Annual Reports

Information Products

Commodities

  • Additional Plants: native plants
  • Animals: bovine, goats, sheep

Practices

  • Animal Production: grazing - multispecies, range improvement, grazing - rotational
  • Education and Training: demonstration, extension, on-farm/ranch research
  • Natural Resources/Environment: biodiversity, habitat enhancement
  • Pest Management: biological control, weed ecology
  • Production Systems: holistic management, integrated crop and livestock systems

    Abstract:

    Conduct a 2-year regional project to build capacity in participants to develop collaborative producer programs using a systems approach to design and implement projects that integrate multi-species grazing as part of an Integrated Pest Management approach to control noxious weeds. During Year 1, 30 ag professionals and ranchers participated in a series of 4 workshops. In Year 2, participants worked on developing on-the-ground projects to implement the principles learned. This effort resulted in several of the proposed projects being implemented and/or funded. The project sponsored a regional conference and the production of a video depicting project activities and concepts.

    Project objectives:

    Conduct a regional project (Washington, Idaho, Oregon and California) to build capacity in participants to develop collaborative producer programs using a holistic/systems approach that includes multi-species grazing as one tool in an Integrated Pest Management approach to control noxious weeds.

    Measurable objectives include:
    (1) Thirty participants will understand principles introduced in the prescribed workshop series by November 30, 2002.

    (2) A minimum of 6 management/support groups made up of participants and livestock graziers (6-12 people per group) will be formed by November 30, 2002.

    (3) A minimum of 6 on-the-ground projects utilizing planned grazing and/or multi-species grazing to control noxious weeds will be designed and initiated by June 30, 2003.

    (4) A regional conference will be held in November 2003 to assess the impacts of this project and to extend the lessons learned to others.

    (5) A video documenting the project’s activities and impacts will be produced

    Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or SARE.