News
Wyoming Restoration Challenge: Cheatgrass
University of Wyoming Extension weed specialist Brian Mealor started the Wyoming Restoration Challenge to rid land cheatgrass and other weeds, and restore the pasture into a more productive and diverse plant community. Teams were assigned a quarter-acre plot of pasture at the UW James C. Hageman Sustainable Agriculture Research and Extension Center near Lingle, WY. Each team developed and implement a plan to meet the land management goals for each team’s site. The challenge started April 2015 and concluded July 2017 with judging on weed/cheatgrass control, plant diversity, forage production, education and outreach, and scalability. (full article)
By David Frey : A new study published in the Journal of Wildlife Management suggests managers may need to overhaul guidelines meant to protect greater sage-grouse by focusing less on factors like grass height and vegetation cover and more on broad impacts to the landscape. (full article)
By Jean Lotus: Feb. 11 (UPI) — After an uptick in massive wildfires and the loss of thousands of acres of sagebrush wildlife habitats, Western states are creating a regional battle plan to attack invasive annual grasses. (full article)
Michelle Cook, News4Nevada Contributor
The Nevada Section for the Society for Range Management hosted the “Living with Fire” event June 27, bringing together ranchers, research scientists, and state and federal agencies to discuss the aftermath of the fire. The group brainstormed for solutions to combat the outbreak of future fires and expressed their concerns with the progress of post-fire rehabilitation programs. (full article)
- BRETT FRENCH
While a warming climate has the potential to cause numerous harmful effects, at least one species important to the West could come out a winner — big sagebrush.
Amanda Radke: Beef Daily
In my opinion, one of the best champions for the beef industry is Frank Mitloehner, a University of California, Davis professor of animal science and air quality Extension specialist. Mitloehner is world-renowned for his study of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The great news for beef producers is that his research clearly points to grave errors made by other researchers who have falsely claimed that cattle are more damaging to the environment than transportation, electricity and other industries.
By Dan Hottle
Thinking differently has helped this group of Western ranchers improve native rangelands for the benefit of both cattle and wildlife.
POWELL — Development is often seen as a primary threat to sage grouse, but the Big Horn Basin Sage Grouse Working Group turned their focus last week to a highly flammable invasive species that’s flourishing locally: cheatgrass.
The Bureau of Land Management announced today selections for three open positions on its nine-member National Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board. Ms. Celeste Carlisle of Esparto, California, has been appointed to the category of wild horse and burro advocacy; Dr. Thomas Lenz of Louisburg, Kansas, has been appointed for the category of veterinary medicine; and Dr. Barry Perryman of Reno, Nevada, has been appointed for the category of public interest with a special knowledge about protection of wild horses and burros, management of wildlife, animal husbandry or natural resource management. Each individual will serve a three-year term on the advisory board.