Some years ago I spoke a little bit with a rancher/teacher who also led packstock trips in the Sierra and in Arizona about this kind of control, specifically regarding a project we have in the backcountry of Sequoia Park near a portion of its boundary. It was just an informal chat, but he was a pretty thoughtful person. (He was awfully excited at the romantic idea of a cattle drive through wilderness and into a National Park.) Anyway the idea discussed was to fence them in on very densely invaded sections of meadows where we had invasive plants, much like your situation perhaps. Just in brainstorming that idea out, he did determine a few things would need to happen. The fencing would have to be stout or durable enough and tall enough to give almost zero chance of escape, so that the grazing would be sustained on the target without interruption over time. The second main point was he thought it would require the number of head be kept at a level where they were essentially starving so that they would consume enough of the target species, and subsequent regrowth, to be effective. Close management of the animals' health by a knowledgeable person would be essential.because of that. And then there was the need to stage them in a controlled area close by (temporary corral) for a couple days before the stock were taken away for good to clean hooves and coats and to clear their guts of any potentially ingested seed. The stock used could be burros. That's essentially what I remember.

This had essentially zero chance of happening where this project occurs, just on logistics alone, let alone laws, restrictions, politics, etc., but it was an interesting to learn some aspects of it. I realize this only regards a couple of your issues and not your biggest one. Do report back how it all works out.

On Thu, Feb 7, 2019 at 11:34 AM Teri G. <teri@srdogs.com> wrote:

I live in a community that is experimenting with the use of cows to control invasive plant species. Several times in the past year, the cattle have breached the electric fence and gone onto roads, potentially causing accidents. Fortunately, thus far there have been no accidents. Another downside of this type of management program is that the cows do not eat every variety of invasive plant and, in some parts of the landscape, encourage the growth of the weeds they won’t eat because they’ve eliminated the competition. Another issue is that the electric fence has the potential to electrocute/kill small mammals who inadvertently connect with it. In addition, the program is very unpopular with a segment of the community who view it as animal abuse.

Management of the community appears to be in denial about the practicality of the program and, more important, its viability as a long-term control measure. Management also maintains that the program could serve as a model for other communities wishing to control invasive plant species in this manner. Is it accurate to assume that there are such other communities?

Any comments?

From: calweedtalk@simplelists.com [mailto:calweedtalk@simplelists.com] On Behalf Of Doug Johnson
Sent: Thursday, February 07, 2019 9:19 AM
To: calweedtalk@simplelists.com
Subject: CalWeedTalk FW: CDFW Scientific Aid position

Invasive Species Scientific Aid at CDFW

The Invasive Species Program at the California Department of Fish and Wildlife in Sacramento is hiring a Scientific Aid. This is a good opportunity to learn about aquatic invasive species and the agencies that manage them. The position is open until filled.
https://jobs.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Jobs/JobPosting.aspx?JobControlId=142679

California Invasive Plant Council, www.cal-ipc.org
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