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Proper Range Management Small weed infestations can be eradicated,and <br /> Adopting proper range management practices in small-scale satellite infestations should be persistently <br /> conjunction with the integrated weed management treated with herbicides.Large-scale infestations <br /> program is the third step to success.Follow-up must be contained using herbicides along infestation <br /> management determines the longevity of weed control. borders.Depending on site conditions,the appropriate <br /> Proper livestock grazing is essential to maintain combination of herbicide,biological control agents, <br /> competitive desirable plants,which will help prevent and grazing management can reduce weed populations <br /> weed re-invasion after control measures are completed. and weed seed production in large-scale infestations. <br /> A grazing plan should be developed for any management Competitive forage plants can be maintained with proper <br /> unit involved in a weed management program.The plan grazing rotations that allow plants to recover vigor after <br /> should include altering the season of use and stocking disturbance.Monitoring will detect changes in weeds and <br /> rates to achieve moderate grass utilization.Grazing desirable plants as an integrated weed management plan is <br /> systems should rotate livestock to allow plants to recover implemented.Management adjustments can be made to <br /> before being regrazed and to promote litter accumulation. address the changing conditions.A key component of any <br /> Litter fall is necessary for proper nutrient cycling which is IWM program is sustained effort,constant evaluation, <br /> central to maintaining a healthy plant community. and the adoption of improved strategies. <br /> Range monitoring and annual evaluations should <br /> be conducted to determine the adequacy of existing <br /> management plans. <br /> Monitoring and Evaluations <br /> We monitor in order to determine what is happening <br /> on the range over time.Monitoring and evaluation <br /> are the keys to determining when weed and/or grazing <br /> management plans should be changed.Monitoring <br /> involves making observations,gathering data and keeping <br /> records on the range condition and trend. <br /> Monitoring must be designed to detect changes in <br /> weeds and desirable plants,biological control agents and <br /> soil surface conditions including litter accumulation, <br /> exposed soil,erosion and soil compaction.Management <br /> practices(e.g.grazing patterns)and factors affecting <br /> condition and trend must be monitored as well. <br /> Data from this year's monitoring must be compared <br /> to that from earlier years,and weed and grazing <br /> management programs must be adjusted according to the <br /> predetermined management objectives. <br /> Summary <br /> Noxious rangeland weeds are highly competitive and <br /> persistent.Their control requires integrating a number <br /> of methods.Integrated weed management programs <br /> begin with an inventory and mapping of the ranch or <br /> management unit to identify weed problems and land <br /> use. Once identified,problems can be prioritized and <br /> an integrated weed management strategy that includes <br /> prevention,detection and eradication of new infestations, <br /> containment and control of large-scale infestations, and <br /> revegetation can be planned and coordinated with a grazing <br /> management plan.Weed encroachment can be prevented <br /> by limiting weed seed spread,minimizing soil disturbance <br /> and maintaining vigorous and competitive forage plants. <br /> 3 <br />