Cheatgrass vs Mule Deer
Mule Deer
With all of the talk across the country about the decline in mule deer I thought I would start a fairly detailed post about some of our work in Colorado. It's available on the MonsterMuley website with the title Cheatgrass vs Mule Deer. There has been a pretty good discussion. I am trying to get the word out to as many land managers across the country as possible. The long-term benefits to mule deer, mule deer habitat, and other wildlife are amazing!
Here is the link: https://www.monstermuleys.info/xf/threads/cheatgrass-vs-mule-deer.205034/#post-2236161
Good stuff Jim! If I’m not mistaken the stuff you’re working with seems to be a commercial chemical herbicide. I also read about a bacteria that was being tested (I think in NV) that selectively killed cheat grass. This was a year or two back. Have you heard about that solution and if so what’s the future look like for it?
We are having excellent long-term cheatgrass control with Rejuvra. The native plant and wildlife species love it! Some of the large-scale areas we've sprayed are 7+ years old and still looking great. Every year the native plant species diversity and cover increase and fill in where originally was dense cheatgrass. You can go to the link in my first post to see some of this data.
Multiple scientists have tried using different strains of the bacteria you mentioned above since around 2010 with poor results. Here is a USGS link to some of this work:
https://www.usgs.gov/centers/forest-and-rangeland-ecosystem-science-center/science/weed-suppressive-bacteria-testing-a
Take-Home Message: WSB Does not Effectively Control Cheatgrass or Other Exotic Annual Grasses
Collectively, these studies show that the Weed-Suppressive Bacteria P. flourescens — strains ACK55, D7, and MB906 — are not likely to be effective in controlling invasive exotic grasses in western U.S. rangelands. There were no negative effects to exotic annual grasses, perennial bunchgrasses, or total community cover within three or four years of treatment when WSB was applied in the field alone or in combination with herbicides. It is possible that new formulations or application techniques could lead to more consistent, desired effects; however the studies described above tested three strains across a wide range of conditions, and yet no consistent effects were observed.
I'm with you on the burdock Matt. If I have to remove anymore from my 6 yr old daughters hair I'm going to burn the whole property! Lol
