Working Ranch Magazine - Index

Working Ranch Magazine - magazine - Index

for Smutgrass to become prevalent.
Rector says nowadays, the average
landowner doesn’t have the time to
spend on his property and is less
likely to notice a new weed until it
gets to the problem stage. Chemicals
have a place in the weed war but
their use and effectiveness are limited.
“Humans look for the magic
chemical and they look for the
magic grasses. They want a blanket
solution and we’re never going to
have it. We need to learn to live with
them and keep them at bay with
cheap methods,” Rector adds. “What
the rancher has to do is learn how to
manage his grass.”
Rector says invasive species, such as
the Saltcedar trees, are non-native and
their natural enemies, in the form of
insects and disease, are not present,
leaving the invader home-free to
propagate and spread unchecked.
Becky Kington of the Montana Weed
Control Association says Japanese
Knotweed, Russian Knapweed and
Leafy Spurge are the biggest problems
for Montana ranchers. And the
Saltcedar causes headaches in the east-
ern part of Montana, too. Surprisingly,
she says, Saltcedar remains available for
landscapers. “It’s still for sale in some of
the nursery catalogs.”
Finally, to round out this updated
look at the nation’s weed problem,
Earl Creech, weed specialist with the
University of Nevada Cooperative
Extension Service, says Russian
Knapweed and Tall Whitetop are the
two biggest problem weeds in most of
Nevada. Rancher Verl Hendrix, who
offered his thoughts at the beginning
of this story, knows all about these
two bad boys. And they’re not the
only ones.
“Cheatgrass has infested about
every acre of our state,” Creech goes
on to explain. “In some areas, thistles
are becoming a problem. In the
west part of the state, we’re beginning
to see Yellow Starthistle from
California crossing over from the
Sierra Nevadas.” But weeds that have
been long-term residents will be difficult,
if not impossible, to get rid of,
he adds. “We’re going to be dealing
with them for the rest of our lives,
and our children’s lives.”
DIRTY DOZEN
WICKED
WEEDS
• Tall Whitetop
• Russian Knapweed
• Spotted Knapweed
• Leafy Spurge
• Goatsrue
• Smutgrass
(called wiregrass in Texas)
• Black Rush
• Saltcedar trees
• Japanese Knotweed
• Yellow Starthistle
• Cheatgrass
• Foxtail Barley
JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2008 | WORKING RANCH | 85