Managing Downy Brome Program June 24 at Panhandle Center

May 29, 2015

Downy brome is a destructive annual weed that has invaded many rangelands and pastures.

Winter annual grasses such as downy brome are often referred to as cheatgrass. Cheatgrass can be a significant invasive species on grazing land. Because of its early spring growth, it gets a jump on native species and "cheats" them of valuable moisture, thus reducing native plant health and vigor as well as species diversity. The plant can quickly overtake a site and out-compete other plants for water and nutrients.

To help landowners and managers understand options to manage cheatgrass in rangeland and pasture, a workshop and tour sponsored by Nebraska Extension will be held on June 24 at the Panhandle Research and Extension Center at Scottsbluff.

Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. and presentations will begin at 9 a.m., followed by lunch, and field tours of herbicide-treated plots in the afternoon. Presentation topics include:

•  Grazing Management Strategies with Cheatgrass — Dr. Mitch Stephenson, UNL Range and Forage Management Specialist
•  Chemical Control and Efficacy, Grazing Trials, Mapping and Prioritization — Dr. Brian Mealor University of Wyoming Weed Specialist
•  The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Cheatgrass Control and Biocontrol Bacteria — Cheryl Schwarzkopf, Converse County Weed and Pest Supervisor

Registration

A registration fee of $30 per person is payable at the door and includes lunch and a cheatgrass management handbook.

Please pre-register by June 22 to provide for a meal count. To preregister call the Panhandle Research and Extension Center at 308-632-1230.