AbstractKeywords
Introduction
Methodology
and Design
Results and
Discussion
Conclusion/
Implications
References
Project
Background
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Companion Grazing
Using Goats and Cattle to Control Leafy Spurge
Chadley
W. Prosser, Kevin K.
Sedivec, and
William
T. Barker
Department of Animal and Range Sciences
North Dakota State University
Abstract
This study was conducted on Camp Grafton
South in Eddy County, North Dakota, to evaluate
multi-species grazing effects on leafy spurge(Euphorbia
esula L.)-infested rangeland. Leafy spurge
distribution and densities were similar among all
treatments prior to the study. Treatments
initiated in 1993, included cattle only (CO),
goats only (GO), and cattle and goats (CG)
grazing together. Leafy spurge utilization was
higher in the CG and GO treatments with means of
64.5 and 72.4 %, respectively. The CO treatment
had a lower (P<0.05) leafy spurge
disappearance at 11.2 percent. Leafy spurge stem
densities were reduced (P<0.05) by 70.3 and
59.8 % in the GO and CG treatments, respectively
compared to the CO at 16.4% reduction. Graminoid
production was increased 36.8 % (P<0.05) on
the CO treatment after 3 years, in comparison to
106.1 % and 14.5 % on the GO and CG treatments,
respectively. The GO and CG treatments were
beneficial in increasing graminoid production
while reducing leafy spurge production. This
article is only available online at http://www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/ndagres/ndagres.htm
Impact — Angora
goats, grazed either singly or in combination
with cattle, controlled the spread of leafy
spurge while goats only enhanced graminoid
production. Angora goats, when stocked at the
proper carrying capacity based on the degree
of leafy spurge infestation levels, enhanced
cattle utilization of leafy spurge infested
rangeland. Grazing with goats to control
leafy spurge should provide a viable economic
approach for these types of land resources
due to high costs of herbicides. Goat grazing
also provides a safe alternative to
environmentally sensitive areas where
herbicide application is prohibited.
Audience — Farmers and
ranchers, private landowner natural resource
managers, public land managers, natural
resource professionals, weed board personnel
Keywords
Euphorbia esula L., noxious weeds,
angora goat, integrated pest management,
multi-species grazing
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Table
of Contents – Winter 1997
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