Madison River Grazing Pilot Project

Introduction

The Madison Valley Ranchlands Group Weed Committee along with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, and the Montana Sheep Institute (MSI) will initiate a sheep grazing pilot project along a stretch of the Madison River to control spotted knapweed for a three-year period.

Objectives

The area to be treated is approximately 10,243 acres or sixteen square miles. The scope of the project will impact residents of the Madison River Watershed when final results and accomplishments are made public. A portion of this project included a colorful, educational calendar which was created by the Madison Valley Ranchlands Group. The Montana Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative provided funding toward the printing of this calendar for educational purposes.

Study Area

The Madison River Grazing Pilot Project will entail an eight-mile stretch of the Madison River from McAtee Bridge to the south Madison fishing access.

Methods

Sheep will be introduced in May through mid-summer. Sheep will be contracted with producers to graze the project area for the designated period of time. After the sheep have passed through the project area, experimental plots will be treated with herbicide and revegetation will be implemented in summer and fall. The BLM and the MSI will be monitoring sites. MSI will set up permanent monitoring sites and forage sampling will be clipped. BLM will set out a minimum of two permanent transects and photo plots. The timing of grazing, change in species composition, and decrease in seed production of the noxious weeds will be evaluated. A spray/weed pull day is planned for volunteer efforts in mid-summer and tours will be held in the Wall Creek Game Range at various times throughout the growing season.

Results

This project is on-going. Expected outcomes include increased forage production and natural plant populations, decreased invader (weed) production, increased public awareness about noxious weeds, and an integrated approach to weed management. In addition, the project will help to forge a strong partnership between public officials and private landowners. The project will also help to create additional opportunities for sheep producers in the area.

Contact Information

Madison Valley Ranchlands Group
PO Box 330
Ennis, MT 59729
(406) 682-3731