- Author: Devii R. Rao
The Livestock and Land program works with livestock owners to promote environmental stewardship on livestock properties. They are having a workshop on Saturday, July 8th from 8:30-12:30 at 101 Livestock Market (4400 US-101, Aromas, CA 95004).
Come learn about best practices for your livestock facility that can help both the health of your livestock and your land. Topics include:
- Tour of 101 Livestock Demonstration Projects
- Vet Talk: Facility Management for Livestock Health
- Combat Erosion and Mud
- Composting
- Pasture Management
Cost is $15/person and includes a light breakfast and all workshop materials.
Registration is required. Register online at http://www.rcdsantacruz.org/get-involved/register-for-an-event.
For more information contact Dina Iden at the Loma Prieta RCD at 408-847-4171 or dina@lomaprietarcd.org
/span>- Author: Devii R. Rao
Grassland restoration has become increasingly popular because it can enhance biodiversity, pollinator habitat, wildlife habitat, and carbon sequestration. Elise Gornish, University of Arizona Cooperative Extension Specialist (formerly University of California Cooperative Extension Specialist) and Julea Shaw (UC Davis) recently published a great manual called Restoration Manual for Annual Grassland Systems in California. The document provides guidance on how to prepare a site for restoration, which native species are likely to be successful at your site, and different revegetation techniques. Appendix A is particularly useful. It offers a recommended species list based on your region, restoration goal, and soil type. A brief description of each species, along with pros and cons of using that species in restoration, are also included in the body of the manual. Click here to download the manual.
Grassland Restoration Manual
- Author: Devii R. Rao
UCCE and University of Wyoming Cooperative Extension are working with the Monterey County Cattlemen's and Monterey Cattlewomen's Associations to put on a workshop titled, "Focus on the Beef Cow."
Dates: August 16th: King City Fairgrounds Orradre Building - 625 Division St.
August 17th: Arroyo Grande Hall Association - 707 Huasna Rd.
Time: 9:00am - 12:30pm lunch to follow
Cost: $17
Topics will include
- Economic Ranch Tools
- Cow Herd Nutrition
- Risk Management
- Drought and Wet Cycles on the Central Coast and Risks for Livestock
- Production Systems
- Local Livestock Nutritional and Health Issues
- Invasive Weeds, Concerns and Management on Rangelands
Register online at http://ucanr.edu/survey/survey.cfm?surveynumber=21230. For more information please contact Devii Rao at drorao@ucanr.edu or Royce Larsen at relarsen@ucanr.edu.
Focus on the Beef Cow Flyer - PDF
- Author: Devii R. Rao
Do you have yellow starthistle, Italian thistle, Himalaya blackberry, white top, or other common Central Coast rangeland weeds on your ranch? If so, you may be wondering which herbicides are most effective, how much they cost, what is required to purchase and spray a particular herbicide, when to spray, whether the herbicide affects grasses or clovers, and if the herbicide is safe for your livestock and pets. Many Central Coast rangeland landowners have been asking these same questions. So, I compiled this information in two tables. Table 1 shows some of our common rangeland weeds and different herbicide treatment options. Table 2 lists six of the most commonly used rangeland herbicides, and answers questions about cost, when to spray, purchasing requirements, affected plants, and grazing/pet restrictions. Both tables are attached as PDFs at the bottom of this blog post. All of this information is already available from a variety of sources, but I have put it together in two easy to use reference tables. The tables are self-explanatory for the most part, but the information below may clarify a few things.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
IPM is a weed management approach that uses multiple control methods. Control methods could include mechanical control, manual control, grazing, seeding, herbicide, etc. The most effective options will depend on the particular species you are trying to control. This blog post focuses on herbicide because I am often asked about chemical treatment options. However, your weed control efforts will likely be most successful if you use a variety of methods.
Operator ID's, Restricted Materials Permits, & Private Applicator Certificates
Most of the herbicides in Table 2 are general use pesticides, meaning that you only need an operator ID to purchase and use them (Carbonaro, pers. comm.). Operator ID's are free and can be obtained from your County Agricultural Commissioner's office. No test is required. But, you'll need to show a property map in order to get your operator ID.
One herbicide in Table 2, 2, 4-D, is a California state restricted pesticide when applied on rangelands. Before you can purchase or spray California state restricted pesticides, two things are required: a Private or Commercial Applicator Certificate and a restricted materials permit. You can get a Private Applicator Certificate from your County Ag Commissioner's office. This requires taking a free test. The test is based on Pesticide Safety: A Reference Manual for Private Applicators, 2nd Ed., published by the University of California. This book can be purchased from most County Ag Commissioner or UC Cooperative Extension offices or online at: http://anrcatalog.ucanr.edu/Details.aspx?itemNo=3383. Once you have your Private Applicator Certificate you'll be able to obtain a restricted materials permit, again from your County Ag Commissioner's office. Alternatively, you can hire a licensed pest control business to purchase and spray California state restricted pesticides.
Read Labels, Follow Federal, State & Local Regulations, and Report Pesticide Use to Your County Ag Department
Although Table 2 includes information from the herbicide labels, it is not a substitute for reading the entire herbicide label before you spray (Carbonaro, pers. comm.). Always read the label before using any of these herbicides. In California, in addition to following the label, applicators will also need to follow federal, state, and local regulations. And, remember that you should submit a pesticide use report to your County Agricultural Commissioner's office for all pesticides used on rangelands.
For additional information about weeds and how to manage them, check out this website: http://wric.ucdavis.edu. The Invasive Thistles of Bay Area Counties & Herbicides for Controlling Thistles Handout compiled by Guy Kyser, UC Cooperative Extension Specialist in Weed Science at UC Davis is a great resource and is attached at the bottom of this blog post.
References
Carbonaro, D. 2017. Personal communication, 4/16/2017. Carbonaro is a Senior Biologist/Inspector with the San Benito County Agricultural Commissioner's Office.
Table 1. Common Central Coast Rangeland Weeds
Table 2. Commonly Used Rangeland Herbicides, Including When and How to Use Them
Thistle Control Handout - Kyser
- Author: Devii R. Rao
Bridger Feuz is an economist and showed us a few different online tools ranchers can use to help make decisions about their operations. Some of the tools on his website are the Partial Budget, Break-Even Budget, Cow Valuation, Genetic Investment, Stocking, and AUM Value tools. Here's the link to Bridger's website with all the tools: http://uwyoextension.org/ranchtools/. One of the tools he demonstrated for us was the Partial Budget tool. This tool can be used if you are thinking about making a change to your operation and you're trying to figure out if that change will increase or decrease your income. The tool is simple to use and asks four questions.
Based on the proposed change:
1) What new or additional costs will be incurred?
2) What current income will be lost or reduced?
3) What new or additional income will be received?
4) What current costs will be reduced or eliminated?
The example Bridger used in his presentation was, should you sell 100 steer calves at 500 pounds in the fall like you normally do or would it be a better financial decision to change your strategy and keep the 100 steers through the winter and sell them the following fall at 900 pounds. Remember this is an example from Wyoming and doesn't necessarily match the production cycle here on California's Central Coast, but the tool can be used for any type of proposed change to your operation.
For this example, new or additional costs would include the need for more feed and grass, more vet bills, and transportation of the 900 pound steers. Current income that would be lost is the price you would have received for selling the 500 pound calves this year. The new or additional income would be the price you receive from selling the 900 pound steers the following year. The current costs that would be reduced or eliminated would be transportation of the 500 pound calves. Once you put all of this information in the online tool, which is basically like a calculator, it will give you a number showing what your net income or net loss would be based on making this change.
If you're curious about the Partial Budget tool and want to give it a try, go to http://uwyoextension.org/ranchtools/partial-budget/.
Here's a link to the fact sheet on how to use the Partial Budget tool: http://uwyoextension.org/ranchtools/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/partial_budget.pdf.
If you have questions about this tool you can reach Bridger Feuz at (307) 783-0570 or BMFeuz@uwyo.edu. For questions about the BCS handout, contact Hudson Hill at (307) 885-3132 or hrhill@uwyo.edu.
Body Condition Score Handout