Expert to discuss advantages of 'old, old, old, tool'

By SEAN ELLIS

Capital Press

LEWISTON, Idaho -- The economic benefits and logistics of grazing multiple species of animals on the same rangeland will be one of the main topics during the 8th Annual North Central Idaho Grazing Conference.

The conference, which will be Jan. 10 at Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston, also features a presentation on plants that are poisonous to livestock and a panel of three producers who will discuss their grazing management practices.

Karen Launchbaugh, director of University of Idaho's Rangeland Center, said there are several advantages, and some challenges, to multiple-species grazing. She will address those during the conference.

One of the main advantages is that different animals can be used to match different vegetation, said Launchbaugh, a professor of rangeland ecology whose grandfather grazed cows, sheep, pigs and goats on the same pasture.

"It's really a good way to manage the different plant species and prevent some from overtaking and some from disappearing," she said, adding that the practice is becoming more common again as people realize there are economic advantages to multiple-species grazing.

"It's an old, old, old tool whose time has come again for economic reasons," she said. "People are realizing there are some advantages to that diversity."

Launchbaugh said the biggest challenge to the practice is setting up a management structure: "You can be really good with cows and know nothing about sheep, and vice versa. It's really difficult to gear yourself up to manage two or more animals. That's what we will discuss during the conference."

The conference will include a presentation on plants that are poisonous to livestock by Patricia Talcott, a veterinarian and diagnostic toxicologist with the Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory.

Talcott said she will cover common plants in the area that are poisonous to livestock and can be accessed either through pasture or hay purchased from the area.

"There are plants in this area that can be particularly devastating to livestock and can cause fatalities," she said.

During the producer's panel, Bob Reggear from the Orofino, Idaho, area will discuss his efforts to control brush on forest grazing lands with high rainfall. Sue Hagle of the Grangeville, Idaho, area will share her experience in controlling invasive annual grasses on her pastures. And Craig Spencer, a Grangeville rancher, will discuss how he manages his grazing in the forested areas of his ranch.

The conference is sponsored by UI's Extension system, Idaho Association of Conservation Districts, Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Idaho State Soil Conservation Commission.

Anyone can attend the conference. The cost is $20 at the door. Call the Idaho County Natural Resources Conservation Service office at 208-983-1046 to register.