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Rangeland-Pasture Recommendations <br /> Cheatgrass Identification and Management <br /> Commonly referred to as cheatgrass, (Bromus tectorum) it is also known <br /> as downy brome, downy cheat and bronco grass. It is widely distributed <br /> throughout the United States and has been reported to be the dominant species <br /> on more than 100 million acres of the intermountain west. Cheatgrass is unique <br /> in that it occupies a dual role as a serious weed and important early season <br /> forage. In terms of volume of forage produced and extent of area covered it is the <br /> single most important spring forage. Cheatgrass can maintain dominance for <br /> many years on sites where native vegetation has been eliminated or severely <br /> reduced by grazing,cultivation or fire. <br /> Cheatgrass is a winter annual member of the grass (Poaceae) family. It <br /> reproduces by seed which germinates in the fall,over winters as a seedling and <br /> flowers in the spring.Seed can remain viable in the soil for 2 to 5 years. <br /> Cheatgrass can grow in almost any soil type and readily adapts to varying <br /> precipitation. Cheatgrass can be several inches to more than 18 inches tall. It has <br /> a nodding seed head with many finely hairy drooping spikelets. As it matures <br /> the seed heads and foliage often become reddish and then progress to a light tan. <br /> The mature seeds readily penetrate clothing and are frequently a problem in <br /> dog's ears and noses. <br /> Cheatgrass is found in both disturbed and undisturbed sites. The largest <br /> infestations are usually found in overgrazed range and pasture, abandoned <br /> fields, eroded sites and waste areas. The greatest competitive advantage <br /> following a fire goes to cheatgrass because the native shrubs and perennial <br /> grasses cannot recover as quickly allowing cheatgrass to establish a monoculture. <br /> On the backside of this sheet are cheatgrass management <br /> recommendations. If you have any questions,please contact the Weld County <br /> Public Works Dept.,Weed Division at(970)304-6496 ext. 3770. Please visit our <br /> website at www.weldweeds.org <br />