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Colorado State University Extension Range, Pasture and Natural Area Weed Management Fact Sheet No. 3.105 Natural Resources Series Range by K.G. Beck* Weeds are spreading rapidly on Colorado 0 moderate infestations from 1 to 10 Quick Facts rangeland and in pastures and natural acres;or areas.Manage weeds during the current 0 large dense infestations greater than e Weeds are managed to growing season to decrease or prevent future 10 acres. achieve overall land use goals infestations.All too often,weed control Additionally,include the productive value and objectives. during a growing season is evaluated in terms of land where infestations are located to help of financial return only for that season and determine how much money to spend on - All weed management must not for future impact. weed management during any year and over be applied and evaluated All weed management must be applied time.Also,determine habitat,e.g.rangeland, over an extended time to and evaluated over an extended time to be irrigated pasture,around ponds or along be successful. successful.This is particularly important streams and rivers,and associated desirable with rangeland,pasture,or natural area weed plant species,as these will help you choose * Mapping weed infestations management programs.A good manager appropriate control tools. is the first step in pasture, develops a comprehensive weed management rangeland,and natural area plan and incorporates that plan into a long- weed management. term land management program;i.e.,weeds Integrate Control Methods - Integrate two or more control are managed to achieve overall land use goals A key aspect to weed management and objectives. is to integrate control methods into a methods into a system Be persistent in weed management, management system. of management. particularly with perennial weeds.Most Cultural controls are methods that favor - Control small,scattered or successful weed management systems require desirable plant growth,such as proper perimeter infestations before input for several growing seasons.Weed grazing management,irrigation,and large,dense ones. infestations occur over time and seldom can seeding vigorously growing,competitive, be cured in a single growing season.Soil seed desirable plant species. * Keep accurate records of dormancy of most weeds and the extensive . Mechanical control physically disrupts control procedures and root systems of creeping perennials requires weed growth and includes such methods evaluate for success or failure. that weed management systems in rangeland, as tillage,mowing,mulching,burning, pasture and natural areas need to be designed and flooding. for input over extended time periods. . Chemical control is the use of herbicides. . Biological control is the use of an Mapping organism to disrupt weed growth. Classical biological control uses natural A comprehensive weed management plan enemies of weeds,such as insects or ' has several key features.First,develop an disease organisms.Biological control also accurate map of weed infestations.Include may include use of sheep,cattle,goats,or information about infestation locations and other large herbivores to control weeds. weed species within those locations.Also, A good weed-management plan indicate the type of infestation: integrates two or more control measures • scattered infestations less than 10 yards in into a management system.For example,if a diameter with just a few plants; pasture is infested with leafy spurge: • light infestations made up of small patches 1. Biological control:Use sheep or goats to up to 0.5 to 1 acre in size; graze the weed during the growing season Colorado State University to relieve desirable plants from intense Extension.7/97.Revised 11/13. weed competition. www.ext.colostate.edu 2. Cultural control:Irrigate,where 'Colorado State University Extension weed science applicable,to further stimulate specialist and professor,bioagricuftural sciences and desirable plant growth to provide better pest management. 1112013