Please click here to take our Two-Minute Survey.
Contact your local Cooperative Extension Office for information
on your specific weed control problem.
Biocontrol | Grazing | Herbicides | Mechanical | Prescribed Burning
The Transportation Research Board (TRB) National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Synthesis 363: Control of Invasive Species explores the efforts of state departments of transportation in preventing, tracking, and controlling invasives and restoring habitats; describes developing Integrated (Roadside) Vegetation Management; and covers physical, chemical, biological, and cultural control mechanisms.
Biological Control
Biocontrol Agent Matrix from BC Ministry of Forests. Search by weed common name to find bioagent and description.
Biological Control of Invasive Plants in the United States, available from Oregon State University Press, October 2004, 450 pp. Covers 39 target plants and 94 agents; includes 300+ photos. Based on Biological Control of Weeds in the West (WSWS, 1996; out of print).
Biological Control of Invasive Plants in the Eastern United States (USDA Forest Service Publication FHTET-2002-04). Applies to many plants in the west as well.
Biological Control of Weeds, includes brochure, position statement, and links from the Weed Science Society of America.
Biological control of weeds on the prairies from Alberta Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development. A comprehensive page on biocontrol, in the context of prairie agriculture and ecosystems
Biological Control Information Center, maintained by the NSF Center for Integrated Pest Management at NCSU. Includes many links.
Biocontrol Sites listed by Cornell University
Center for Biological Control at UC Berkeley
Current status in each state of all 100 agents approved for release in the continental USA (updated 12/03). From the USDA/ARS Exotic and Invasive Weeds Research Unit.
Field Guide to Biological Agents for Management of Noxious Weeds in Western South Dakota
How Successful Will They Be? Evaluating the success of biocontrol agents, an article in the Feb. 2006 issue of What's New in the Biocontrol of Weeds, a quarterly newsletter from the New Zealand Landcare Research organization.
Identification Tool for Weevil Biocontrol Agents of Aquatic and Terrestrial Weeds in the United States and Canada, from the Center for Biological Control, Florida A&M University. Utilizes Lucid 3.3 software for ready identification of the weevil biological control agents, even by non-taxonomic specialists. Covers 38 beneficial weevil species in 28 genera in Canada and the U.S. A compact disc version is expected later in 2007. Requests for CDs can be directed to: Center for Biological Control, 310 Perry-Paige Bldg. (south), Florida A&M Univ. (FAMU), Tallahassee, FL 32307-4100, USA.
Invasive Plants of Asian Origins Established in the United States and Their Natural Enemies, vol. 1. USDA Forest Service - September 2004 - FHTET-2004-05.
- Vol. 2, "Invasive Plants Established in the United States that Are Found in Asia and Their Associated Natural Enemies." Order from Yun Wu or Richard Reardon, USDA Forest Service, 180 Canfield Street, Morgantown, West Virginia 26505, Phone: (304) 285-1594 or (304) 285-1566.
IOBC Internet Book of Biological Control, v. 3, ed. J.C. van Lenteren. Aims "to present the history, the current state of affairs and the future of biological control in order to show that this control method is sound, safe and sustainable." 14 chapters and appendix.
PNW Weed Management Handbook, 2007 edition Primarily describes herbicide use, but Chapter 2, Biological Control (revised 11/06) introduces biocontrol and lists agents and their status.
U.S. Regional Guide to organic and sustainable resources. Links to a wealth of resources, including biocontrol, from the Organic Trade Association.
Biocontrol for specific weeds:
ARS Biological Control Research Programs saltcedar, yellow starthistle, and others.
"Beneficial Beetles Take a Bite out of Saltcedar," in April, 2005, issue of USDA Agricultural Research magazine.
Biocontrol agents by target weed from Oregon Dept. of Agriculture
Biology and Biocontrol of Knapweed. Comprehensive publication from Forest Service. I.D. and key for all knapweeds, distribution maps, biology and application of biocontrol insects, good illustrations and photos.
Experimental Biocontrol of Hawkweed in Idaho from AgKnowledge, publication of UI College of Ag
Leafy spurge hit by beetle bombs from University of Idaho College of Ag magazine, Programs & People
TEAM Leafy Spurge covers research on biological control of leafy spurge in MT, WY, ND, and SD in Spurgefest II abstracts. See also abstracts of the 1996 Leafy Spurge Symposium.
Grazing
This field of leafy spurge offers plenty of grazing for a hungry goat.
Targeted Grazing: An Interactive Guide for Land Managers. Comprensive, well-illustrated website covering every aspect of targeted grazing, from plant species targeted to monitoring, to contracting. Includes pdf of Targeted Grazing Handbook below.
Controlling Leafy Spurge using Goats and Sheep NDSU Extension Service, May 1995.
Grazing from Boulder County, Colorado, Parks & Open Space Dept.
Grazing from TNC Weed Control Methods Handbook.
Great Grazing with Sheep and Goats ATTRA News 13(1): Jan-Feb. 2005. This issue of the Newsletter of the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service includes articles on vegetation management with small ruminants.
Livestock for Landscapes. Comprehensive site with info on goats, behavior principles, weed monitoring, and much more, including how to train cows to eat weeds. See pdf "Turning Cows into Weed Managers."
Manipulating Diet Selection to Control Weeds, by Bret Olson, Range Science, Animal and Range Sciences Dept., Montana State University.
Multiflora Rose Control by Animal Grazing. Ohio State U. Extension Bulletin 857.
Noxious Weed Grazing By Goats Demonstration Project University of Idaho Extension, 2002. Describes reduction in knapweed seed head production in Lemhi County.
Prescribed grazing—A tool for weed management
Prescription Grazing for Vegetation Management, Dept. of Rangeland Ecology and Management, University of Idaho. An extensive listing of Extension and other articles, organized in three categories: Prescribed Grazing in Action, grazing prescriptions for Specific Plants and Research and Information. A great resource.
Recent Perspectives in Using Goats for Vegetation Management in the USA S. P. Hart, Langston Univ., Oklahoma. J. Dairy Sci. 84(E. Suppl.): E170-E176, 2001.
Role of Sheep Grazing in Natural Resource Management, Special Issue, Sheep & Goat Research Journal, 1994. Articles can be downloaded in pdf format.
- The Role of Grazing Sheep in Sustainable Agriculture
Author: Donald G. Ely - Multispecies Grazing: The Ecological Advantage
John W. Walker - Sheep Grazing and Riparian and Watershed Management
Hudson A. Glimp and Sherman R. Swanson - Sheep Grazing as a Range Improvement Tool
K.M. Havstad - Prescribed Sheep Grazing to Enhance Wildlife Habitat on North American Rangelands
Jeffrey C. Mosley - Sheep Grazing as a Brush and Fine Fire Fuel Management Tool
Charles A. Taylor, Jr. - Sheep as a Silvicultural Management Tool in Temperate Conifer Forest
Steven H. Sharrow - Sheep: A Method For Controlling Rangeland Weeds
B.E. Olson and J.R. Lacey - The Role of Sheep and Sheep Products in Waste Management
John S. Glenn
Sheep and the Environment, Literature from the American Sheep Institute, including targeted grazing, noxious weed control, and more.
Sheep Vegetation Management Guidelines from British Columbia Ministry of Forests and Range. Outlines recommended procedures and practices for the protection of wildlife, wildlife habitat and domestic sheep health and welfare.
Targeted Grazing Website from American Sheep Industry Association.
Targeted Grazing: A Natural Approach to Vegetation Management and Landscape Enhancement. A handbook on grazing as a new ecological service, edited by Dr. Karen Launchbaugh, Dept. of Rangeland Ecology & Management, University of Idaho. Outlines the basics of applying targeted grazing for vegetation management. Eighteen chapters covering the latest research on harnessing livestock to graze targeted vegetation to improve the function and appearance of a wide variety of landscapes. Available online at: http://www.cnr.uidaho.edu/rx-grazing/Handbook.htm. Printed copies of the handbook available through ASI (info@sheepusa.org) for $25; order form here. (2/06/07)
Weed Control with Goats and Sheep from Maryland Small Ruminant Page (sheepandgoat.com). Scroll down to "Controlling weeds with Sheep and Goat Grazing" for links.
"Rent-a-goat" and "rent-a-sheep" services (CIPM does not endorse any of these businesses. This list is to help you find grazing services in your area.)
- Caprine Restoration Services, Bend, Oregon
1-800-898-4628 - Livestock for Landscapes Links to goat and sheep producers providing prescribed grazing services. Listed by state.
- Terra Vita Grazing Services -- goats available for weed and brush control in MT
Brandon & Brandy Dalton
PO Box 655 Bozeman, MT 59771
406.640.1474
bdaltongang@gmail.com - Wooley Weed Eatears. Riley Wilson, Harrison, MT.
Herbicides
Herbicide-Resistant Weeds See below.
Developing Bid Specifications for Invasive Plant Control Programs (pdf). A thorough guide, from establishing goals, identifying and prioritizing species, and outlining tasks, to contractor requirements and types of contracts. Herbicide-oriented.
Idaho's Noxious Weeds: 2003 Control Guide — guide to herbicide use on Idaho’s noxious weeds; will be updated and expanded annually. Initial focus is herbicide use, later editions will include other control methods categorized as cultural and biological, if available, and information on prevention techniques will be listed.
Labels and MSDs from CDMS-Information services for ag industries. A comprehensive search that looks up every product label and MSDS that CDMS has on the web (U.S. and Canada) , regardless of their classification as Agriculture or Turf and Ornamental/Non-Crop.
National Pesticide Information Center provides objective, science-based information about pesticides and pesticide-related topics to enable people to make informed decisions about pesticides and their use. NPIC is a cooperative agreement between Oregon State University and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. NPIC is open from 6:30AM to 4:30PM Pacific time, daily. Reach NPIC via the toll-free number 1.800.858.7378 or e-mail at npic@ace.orst.edu. Questions can be answered in Spanish and other languages.
National Pesticide Use Data from the CropLife Foundation. This database is the only national, comprehensive, and publicly available source of pesticide use data for the U.S.
NEPAnet. National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations governing herbicde use.
Pacific Northwest Pest Management Handbooks — a reference to weed control practices used in various cropping systems, or site/situations in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. Because chemical regulation of plant growth is complex and requires considerable knowledge, a large portion of the handbook is devoted to registered uses of herbicides, crop desiccants, and some plant growth regulators.
Pesticides—U.S. EPA. Fact sheets by chemical or product name, regulatory info, health and safety, environmental effects, biopesticides fact sheets, and more.
Herbicide-resistant weeds
Herbicide Resistance in Weeds from U. Missouri Extension
Managing Herbicide-resistant Weeds from PNW Weed Management Handbook
International Survey of Herbicide Resistant Weeds from WeedScience.org. The purpose of the survey is to monitor the evolution of herbicide-resistant weeds and assess their impact throughout the world. Global collaboration between weed scientists make the survey and this web site possible. Search by weed common name, scientific name, or herbicide mode of action; and by state or country.
Update 2005 on Herbicide Resistant Weeds and Weed Population Shifts from Proceedings, 2005 Integrated Crop Managment Conference, Iowa State University
Mechanical Control
Non-Chemical Weed Control from Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs. Part of Principles of Integrated Weed Management from 2006-2007 Guide to Weed Control.
Mowing from from Boulder County, Colorado, Parks & Open Space Dept.
Mowing to Manage Noxious Weeds from Montana State University Extension
Weeds and Roadside Mowing from Wisconsin Extension Service. Emphasizes the importance of timing.
Weed Control in Pastures from Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives. Lists mowing among other options; concentrates on pasture improvement (desired species) for long-term weed control.
Prescribed Burning
Fire Effects Information System (FEIS) developed by the USDA Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory in Missoula, Montana. FEIS provides up-to-date information about fire effects on plants and animals, incluiding prescribed burning for vegetation control and restoration.
Consult The Nature Conservancy's Fire Management Manual for Prescribed Fire Guidelines
Controlling Plants with Fire in Revegetation Equipment Catalog, Produced in cooperation with Rangeland Technology & Equipment Council, USDA Forest Service, and USDI Bureau of Land Management
Fire as a Tool for Controlling Nonnative Invasive Plants, a comprehensive literature review funded by CIPM of prescribed burning and weeds (332 KB pdf file).
Use of fire as a tool for controlling invasive plants, booklet developed by California Invasive Plant Council (cal-ipc.org) summarizes current knowledge on the use of fire in wildlands. Bundle cost for 1-2 copies, $5; 3-5 copies, $6; 6-10 copies, $7.
