Cows Eat Weeds!
Invasive plants are disruptive pests thatagricultural producers have been dealing with for years. They reduce cr
op production and can limit forage available for livestock. In order to maintain a certain level of production, invasive plant must be controlled. There are considerable costs associated with controlling invasive plants, especially over large areas, with traditional methods. Many invasive plants are considered unpalatable for livestock, but studies have shown that livestock are creatures of habit; they will eat what they are taught to eat by their mothers.
Dr. Kath Voth has created a program to help ranchers to train their livestock to seek out and eat desired plant species. In the case of this project, the desired plant species will be the specific invasive plants that each rancher works to control in their management area.
By using livestock to control invasive plants, the cost of traditional control with be greatly reduced. As well, the time spent controlling invasive plants can be diminished and replaced by other tasks. Also, studies have compared the nutritional value of invasive plants to that of the more traditional grazed plants; many invasive plants can be just as or more valuable as forage. 
AUGUST 16th seminar in Williams Lake was a huge success. Thanks to all of those who joined us for Kathy's talk about the program and how to turn your cows into bona-fide Weed-Eaters! Then in the afternoon we will check out some local Knapweed-Eaters.