Invasive cheatgrass is a known fire risk. "Its potential for high population densities and fine-textured fuels increases the likelihood for fire ignition and spread. As a result, the greater frequency of fires occurring in cheatgrass infested areas tends to favor overall cheatgrass dominance by removing reproduction of competing native plants." Field Guide for Managing Cheatgrass in the Southwest. USDA
The Summerhaven community is active in trying to limit the growth and spread of cheatgrass. We are here to offer our support in that effort.
General Approach
Maintain healthy, native plant communities to limit cheatgrass infestations.
Limit soil disturbance and revegetate promptly with desirable plants following a disturbance.
Identify, map, and eradicate new populations of cheatgrass as early as possible. Keep annual records of reported infestations.
Combine multiple control methods for the most favorable outcome.
Our Services
Sheep Grazing
Erosion Mitigation
Revegetation
Sheep Grazing
Livestock grazing has been used effectively to control cheatgrass stands when combined with other measures, such as mulching and seeding. We'd love to bring our sheep over to help you manage cheatgrass on your property. Give us a call to schedule your spring grazing sessions!
Ready to mow?
Give us a call to schedule your spring grazing sessions!
Here's what other experts have to say about grazing:
Prescribed livestock grazing in the spring may be effective in localized areas. Grazing should occur when cheatgrass is tall enough to be accessible to the livestock, but prior to plants turning purplish-red so as to prevent seed production. At least two defoliations each spring are required to keep cheatgrass from producing seed, and grazing is required for a minimum of two consecutive years. Grazing should be carefully monitored to prevent damage to perennial vegetation.
Because cheatgrass often forms extensive stands that are nearly monospecific, revegetation of infested stands in combination with prescribed grazing, mechanical, and/or chemical control is imperative. Unless replaced by plant species that are more likely to meet management objectives, cheatgrass is likely to persist. Prior to seeding any desired species, prescribed livestock grazing may be used to reduce the vigor of cheatgrass plants and seed bank populations.
Cheatgrass: Identification, Biology and Integrated Management. Fabian Menalled, Extension Cropland Weed Specialist; Jane Mangold, Extension Rangeland Weed Specialist; and Ed Davis, Research Associate. MSU Extension
Cheatgrass provides good quality forage for about 6 to 8 weeks early in the season, which is also the optimal time to graze.
Although cheatgrass grazed in the spring may regenerate new culms and still produce seed, a reduction in seed production is possible if grazing is practiced twice per year for 2 consecutive years.
Field Guide for Managing Cheatgrass in the Southwest. USDA
Erosion Mitigation
Cheatgrass germinates very well in disturbed soils, making it important to minimize erosion on your property. Erosion mitigation efforts will also tend to increase the soil hydration of your site, which is beneficial to encouraging native plants to grow and outcompete cheatgrass.
We employ earth and rock structures to mitigate erosion.
We have also had success mitigating erosion by utilizing various types of mulch as ground cover.
We can help you map out which strategies best fit your site conditions.
Revegetation
We provide a high elevation mix of bunchgrasses and wildflowers that can be used for revegetating bare areas on your property.
"Before initiating any treatment, examine every proposed site closely to determine if native grasses will return naturally or if reseeding is necessary. If desirable native plants are common, they will often flourish once cheatgrass is removed, thereby allowing natural restoration. Reseeding should particularly be considered if native plants are nearly absent."
Field Guide for Managing Cheatgrass in the Southwest. USDA
In Our Seed Mix
These are the grasses/flowers included in our high elevation revegetation seed mix. Each button is linked to a USDA plant data sheet. Other info can be found using the PLANTS Database.