Effects of Sheep Grazing and Bio-control on Leafy Spurge Infested Rangeland
Sheridan County, Montana
A study to evaluate the effects of sheep grazing and bio-control of insects in the control of leafy spurge was established on the Rom Hedges ranch near Antelope in the spring of 2001. The objectives of this study were to determine if simultaneous grazing of leafy spurge infested rangeland with sheep in conjunction with bio-control insects would:
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Enhance plant species diversity and reduce leafy spurge stem density compared to an area that had no sheep grazing or bio-control.
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Compare the bio-control insect impacts to just sheep grazing.
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Demonstrate the results of this study to local producers that have leafy spurge infestations on their own land and educate them in the use of sheep and bio-control insects.
The bio-control insects that are being utilized in this demonstration area are the black Lacertosa flea beetles and the brown Nigriscutis flea beetle. We released 1.3 million of these insects on two different sites in this area in hopes of establishing the insects well enough in order to be able to harvest and move them onto new sites. Rom Hedges has provided the sheep used in this demonstration. 29 sheep were fenced into a 27 acre pasture to demonstrate the effectiveness of the grazing aspects. Successful leafy spurge management depends upon our understanding of plant community response to management. Our objective is to use this information and field research to develop an approach to controlling leafy spurge in a cost-effective and sustainable manner.
A view of one of the areas where flea beetles were planted in late June. In some areas, a person can see where the beetles are starting to move out and eat the spurge.
Thelma and Melissa getting their hands dirty
Tim hard at work planting bugs
A closer, intimate look at a bucket of flea beetles
Rom Hedges, Tim, Melissa, and Thelma (enjoying the limelight)
A stake that the bugs have been around for approximately two months. You can see where they have started to eat their way out in a circle.
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