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Copyright 2010, Kathy Voth, Livestock for Landscapes, All rights reserved
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Cow Pointer

Educated Cows Eat Weeds!

Cows Eat Whitetop, Russian Knapweed, Canada Thistle and Scotch Thistle

Harney County, Oregon Project, 2010

Sponsored by the Harney County WMA and the BLM

I spent 8 days in Harney County working with the Harney County Weed Management Association, the BLM and 5 ranches to teach cows some new target weeds. In addition to the old standby, Canada thistle, cows learned to eat whitetop/hoary cress, Russian knapweed, and Scotch thistle.

To make it more cost effective I send instructions ahead so that by the time I arrive, ranchers have completed the first step in the training process and are ready to introduce weeds. We made a few adjustments along the way, as always. You can read more about the adjustments and what the ranchers had to say on my blog.

See a video of cows eating Whitetop/Hoary Cress here.

It's easy. We can all do this!

Carol Dunten with her husband Alfred celebrating their 49th wedding anniversary watching their cows learning to eat Canada thistle.

Carol and Alfred Dunten on their 49th wedding anniversary

Cows eating whitetop in pasture
Trained cows eating white top in pasture near Burns, OR

Cow eats Scotch thistle
Old cows can learn new foods. Here she enjoys some scotch thistle.
Ah Ha! Moments