Invasive rangeland weeds challenging for livestock
high levels of soil nitrogen. Yellowfoxtail, smutgrass,barnyardgrass, Johnson grass, Baltic rush, bur buttercup, curly dock and smartweed are common in irrigatedpastures, according toFinzel. Among rangelandweeds,mustardpro- vides some forage value, unless toomuch is consumed. Tarweed is good habitat for some pollinators because it concentrates seleniumand—fortunately—it is not pal- atable to livestock and they avoid it. Meanwhile, Finzel said, “If you see Italian thistle, you know there’s probably
more nitrogen in that location.” She recalled one rancher who had a particular invasive weed for more than a decade inanareaof the fieldwherea fallen oak treewas slowly decomposing. “The barb goatgrass seeds are able to sprout twice, so two years of treatment are needed to get control,” Finzel said. “Barb goatgrass is reallyhardtogetunder control once it gets going.” Manuals are available for control of some specific weeds, such as barb
ByBob Johnson Some rangelandweeds provide habitat for birds andbees and forage for livestock. But others are of little value and may be toxic to the animals. Identificationof theplants inthepasture is an important first step in developing a management plan to make available the most nutritious andsafest forage for cattle, sheep or goats at the least cost. “Knowingwhatweeds youwant tocon- trol really helps you understand what op- tionsyouhave,” saidJulieFinzel,University of California Cooperative Extension ani- mal science and rangelandmanagement farm advisor in Kern, Tulare and Kings counties. “It helps you understand what are going to be the most effective treat- ments and the best timing.” Finzel isamongUCresearcherswhohave been guiding ranchers and property own-
ersonweedidentificationandmanagement and integratedpestmanagement strategies for yellowstarthistleandpoisonousweeds. Her focus is on identifying the major weeds and determining whether they are annuals or perennials, invasive or native andtoxic to livestockornot. Shealso tracks the conditions that favor their develop- ment—factors such as poor drainage or
See WEEDS, Page 12
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Grapes Continued from Page 9
Inthespring, sapflow(called“bleeding”) helpsresolveanyembolismsandrehydrates the buds. Fidelibus said bleeding depends on root pressure that develops after carbo- hydratesandotherorganiccompoundsare deposited in the xylem, increasing osmotic pressureandwateruptake fromthe soil. Rehydrated buds must develop new vascular connections with the vine to support growth. “Irregularbudbreakandstuntedshoots suggest insufficient reserves or vascular- ization,” Fidelibus said. He said carbohydrates, water andmin- erals are needed to resolve embolisms and rehydrate and feed developing shots as they emerge fromdormancy. Vine age, cultural practices and weather can affect the vine’s ability tomeet these needs. To prevent delayed spring growth, Fidelibus said, pruning severity and crop load should be consistent with vine ca- pacity. He also said there should be effec- tive diseasemanagement, particularly for powderymildew. Also, irrigation and nutritionmanage- ment shouldmaintain thecanopywithout promoting late-season growth. Youngvineswithpoorbudbreakorgreat- lydelayedgrowthmayneedretrainingor, in severe cases, replacement, Fidelibus said, adding that if sufficient shoots resume growthwithout toomuchdelay, noaction may be needed. Severely affected vines may become overcropped, and overcropping may re- duce fruitfulness and predispose the vine todelayed spring growthagain the follow- ing season, he said. Fidelibus said removing clusters of fruit fromseverely stuntedshoots canhelppre- vent a vine frombecoming overcropped. (Denni s Pol lock i s a repor t er in F r e s no . He ma y b e c on t a c t e d a t agcompollock@yahoo.com.)
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1/5/21 3:12 PM November 3, 2021 Ag Alert 11
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