We will be adding resources to our library as we go. If you have items you would like to add, please contact Kathy. Thank you to our colleagues from Australia and New Zealand for their significant contributions to our knowledge about these weeds and possible control methods!
Materials shared here were gathered from other web resources. When materials are parts of texts or proceedings available for purchase only abstracts and citations are provided. Please visit your local library for the full text of these articles.
• General References • Monitoring and Data Collection •
• Livestock as a Tool • Economics • Animal Management •
• Organic Information • Grass-Fed Standards •
• Distaff Thistle • Yellow Starthistle • Purple Starthistle • Scotch Broom • Gorse •
General References
Noxious Times
California Department of Agriculture Encycloweedia
Grazing Systems and Management of Mediterranean-Type Plant Communities, M. George and K.O. Fulgham, University of Californai and Humboldt Stat University, Arcata.
Annual Range Forage Production, University of California, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Publication 8018 in the Rangeland Management Series
California Guidelines for Residual Dry Matter (RDM) Management on Coastal and Foothill Annual Rangelands, University of California, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Publication 8092 in the Rangeland Management Series.
Monitoring and Data Collection
Photo-Monitoring for Better Land Use Planning and Assessment, University of California, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Publication 8067 in the Rangeland Management Series.
Visual Assessment of Riparian Health, University of California, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Publication 8089 in the Rangeland Management Series.
Assessment and monitoring of rangelands is a complex undertaking. Though there are some simple methods available, you'll find that choosing the correct method requires a good deal of upfront effort. Without a complete understanding of the questions you're trying to answer and how reponses to that question are influenced over time and space, you run the risk of choosing the wrong method and spending time and resources gathering data that is not as useful as it could be.
One good place to start is at the Jornada Experiment Range's web site on Monitoring and Assessment. The Jornada Experimental Range (JER) is an international leader in the development of rangeland assessment and monitoring protocols. During the past five years, JER has developed a quantitative monitoring protocol that is being tested and applied in over 10 states and at least four countries outside the U.S. JER also collaborated on the development of a qualitative assessment protocol, "Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland Health," which is being globally applied. You'll also find publications on assessing proper functioning condition of riparian areas, indicators for assesing and monitoring soil quality (compaction, infiltration, physical and biological soil crest, water and wind erosion and more), data forms useful for gathering your information, and automated calculations for analyzing your data using Microsoft Excel.
Download the two volume protocol "Monitoring Manual for Grassland, Shrubland and Savanna Ecosystems"
Download "Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland Health," version 4.0 (2005)
Here are some additional resources:
Photo-Monitoring for Better Land Use Planning and Assessment, University of California, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Publication 8067 in the Rangeland Management Series.
Visual Assessment of Riparian Health, University of California, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Publication 8089 in the Rangeland Management Series.
Livestock as a Tool
Grazing Animals as Weed Control Agents, Abstract - Ian Popay and Roger Field, Weed Technology, 1996, Volume 10:217-231. - Literature on the effectiveness of grazing animals (especially cattle, goats and sheep) for controlling weeds is reviewed.
Weed Control Options in Hill Country, Abstract - M.P. Rolston, and J. Talbot, Proceedings of the New Zealand Grassland Association, 1982, 196-203.
Economics
Alternative Livestock Production & Marketing: A Survey of Marin & Sonoma Livestock Producers, University of California Cooperative Extension, December 2005.
Sample Costs for A Cow-Calf/Grass-Fed Beef Operation: 200 Head Cowherd with 30 Grass-Fed Cattle in the North Coast Region, Marin and Sonoma Counties - University of California Cooperative Extension 2004.
Sample Costs for an Organic Cow-Calf Operation: 50 Head in the North Coast Region of Mendocino & Lake Counties - University of California Cooperative Extension 2005.
Sample Costs to Establish and Produce Pasture; North Coast, Mendocino County - University of California Cooperative Extension 2002.
Sample Costs for a 500 Dairy Goat Opration: Milk for Cheese Production in the North Coast - University of California Cooperative Extension 2005.
Animal Management
Strategic supplementation can lure cattle to areas they would otherwise not graze, maximizing forage utilization, Clint Peck, Beef Magazine
Modification of cattle grazing distribution with dehydrated molasses supplement, D. Bailey and R. Welling, Journal of Range Management, November 1999.
Cattle use of rangeland near dehydrated molasses supplement, D. Bailey, G.R. Welling, and E. Miller, Journal of Range Management, July 2001.
Organic Information
Organic Foods Production Act Provisions
USDA National Organic Program Rule Summary Outline
National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances
Organic Resource Manual
The National Organic Program (NOP): What Agricultural Professionals Need to Know
National Center for Appropriate Technology's Organic Livestock Workbook: A Guide to Sustainable and Allowed Practices
Grass-Fed Standards
Marin County Grass-Fed Standards
Distaff Thistle
Effects of light and leaching on germination of saffron thistle, Abstract - Australian Journal of Plant Physiology, 1980, Volume 7, 587-594.
Yellow Starthistle
Yellow Starthistle Mangement with Grazing, Mowing, and Competitive Plantings, Craig D. Thomsen, William A. Williams, and Marc P. Vayssieres, 1996 Symposium Proceedings, California Exotic Plant Pest Council.
Use of Fire and Cutting to Control Yellow Starthistle (Preliminary Results of a Yellow Starthistle Control Experiment) - John T. Rusmore, Ecology Graduate Group, UC Davis Environmental Horticulture, Davis, CA 95616, California Exotic Pest Plant Council 1995 Symposium Proceedings
Purple Starthistle
Purple Star Thistle Fact Sheet
Nutrition Information
Degradation of Caseins from Milk of Different Species by Extracts of Centaurea calcitrapa - a citation for an article on using extracts of purple starthistle as an alternative to commercial animal rennets especially in the manufacture of caprine and ovine milk cheeses.
Scotch Broom
Nutrition Information
Gorse
Nutrition Information
Gorse Control With Sheep and Goats, Abstract - J.R. Radcliffe, Proceedings of the New Zealand WEed and Pest Control Conference, 1982, 130-134.
Livestock for Gorse Control in the Ashley National Forest
