It’s grazing season and cheatgrass is being cut to help ignite our landscapes – one food at a time.

As reported Environment + Energy Leaderthere is a promising shift towards sustainable land management due to the method of directed grazing. Directed grazing has proven to be an effective way to control cheatgrass.

Invasive cheatgrass is a well-known hazard in the western US. It has created environmental and economic problems for land managers because it grows quickly and dies early, providing dry, highly flammable fuel that grows fire risks. It also damages native plants that it grows around because it outcompetes them for the necessary nutrients.

Should we actively work to kill invasive species?

Absolutely

It depends on the species

I don’t know

No, leave nature alone

Click on your choice to see the results and express your opinion

However, research discover a natural method to help manage it. By timing grazing until cheatgrass is four inches tall to flowering, ranchers can tackle the problem at the root.

Environment + Energy Leader calls this approach a “dual benefit for farmers and ecosystems.”

Grazing during this period not only limits grass growth, but also encourages cattle to feed on nutrient-rich grasses, making it a win-win for soil and animal health.

USDA Agricultural Research Service and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln found that grazing cattle in the early stages of cheatgrass growth—typically a 38-day window in the spring—can reduce seed production by up to 77 percent, weakening its advantage over native plants.

The method also offers some long-term benefits, including a reduced need for expensive HERBICIDES and enabling breeders to work with natural growth cycles to support land recovery and biodiversity. It also allows native species to re-establish themselves, providing breeders with a sustainable, low-cost method. Flexibility is essential because the grazing period depends on cheatgrass growth each year, but farmers find it worth the investment.

This research on directed grazing brings hope, as restorative native ecosystems and reducing fire risks creates a more resilient, biodiverse planet.

Join us free newsletter for good news and useful tipsand don’t miss out this great list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.