June 28, 2001

TEAM Leafy Spurge Publishes Grazing Manual

A multi-state team of USDA and university researchers has published a manual on using sheep to manage leafy spurge.

"Multi-Species Grazing and Leafy Spurge" is a full-color, 28-page how-to handbook that focuses on multi-species grazing as a tool to manage leafy spurge, improve range health and productivity, and potentially add a profitable enterprise to existing ranch operations. The handbook was published by TEAM Leafy Spurge, a 5-year integrated pest management research and demonstration program targeting leafy spurge in Montana, the Dakotas and Wyoming. The project is funded and led by the USDA-Agricultural Research Service in partnership with the USDA-Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

Tim Faller, director of the North Dakota State University Hettinger Research Extension Center and leader of the TEAM Leafy Spurge multi-species grazing research and demonstration project, says the manual is a particularly good tool for ranchers who are new to the sheep business. "It’s an excellent tool for ranchers who don’t have any experience with sheep or goats, and for ranchers who are looking for alternative leafy spurge control tools," Faller said.

Topics include how multi-species grazing works, what can be expected from multi-species grazing programs, diet selection, stocking rates, fencing requirements, predation and more. The manual also features an extensive section on economics.

"There are a lot of scenarios and a lot of things to think about, and economics is obviously one of the most important considerations," Faller said. "This manual walks ranchers through different types of economic considerations to see if multi-species grazing is a good fit for their existing operation."

For example, sheep do not necessarily have to be profitable to add profitability to the entire operation, Faller said. In most cases, the economic benefits of multi-species grazing – such as leafy spurge control, enhanced range utilization and improved forage production – will exceed the costs of adding sheep to an existing operation. And, in some situations, ranchers can profit from sheep production as well as leafy spurge control.

"The manual provides some simple formulas that can be used to figure out the economics for your specific operation," Faller said. "The formulas alone are a really valuable tool."

While some cattle ranchers may not like the idea of adding sheep to their operations, Faller said multi-species grazing offers numerous benefits that should be considered if leafy spurge is a problem. "The manual identifies and discusses some common fallacies about mixing sheep and cattle, and I think that’s important," he said. "Cattle ranchers need to let go of any preconceived ideas they might have about sheep if they are looking for a long-term, sustainable solution to leafy spurge control."

The manual is available by calling (406) 433-2020 or by sending an e-mail request to teamls@sidney.ars.usda.gov . It can also downloaded or viewed on-line from the TEAM Leafy Spurge Web site at www.team.ars.usda.gov/grazingmanual.html .

For additional information on TEAM Leafy Spurge, leafy spurge biocontrol or integrated pest management, see the TEAM Leafy Spurge Web site at www.team.ars.usda.gov/ or send an e-mail to teamls@sidney.ars.usda.gov .

Sources: Tim Faller, (701) 567-4324, tfaller@ndsuext.nodak.edu
Steve Merritt (406) 433-9440, smerritt@sidney.ars.usda.gov
Editor: Tom Jirik, (701) 231-9629, tjirik@ndsuext.nodak.edu