How to test the health of your soil

Growing garden fresh vegetables in Wyoming

Featured landowners: Dennis and Lucile Taylor

Rest, recovery key to small-acre pasture management

Portable fencing helps eliminate overgrazing

Get control of weeds on your place

Raising chickens begins with basics

Native and non-native plants

www.barnyardsandbackyards.com

S P R I N G 2 0 0 6

� B A R N Y A R D S A N D B A C K Y A R D S

non-nativeInvasive,non-nativeweedshavecausedserious

problemsforyears.Sometimes,theseproblemsareprimarily

economic.Forexample,landvaluescanbereduced60to80percentduetoseriousinfestationsofinvasivenon-nativeweedssuchasleafyspurgeoroneofanumberofknapweeds.Economicdamageoftenresultsfromreducedlandproductivityandtheexpensesassociatedwithmanagingtheseproblemplantsusingchemical,biological,andmechanicalapproaches.

Ecologicaldamagecanalsooccurand,inmanycases,ishardtoputapricetagon.Someinvasive,

non-nativeweedscantransformnativeplantcommunitiesintoalmostamonocultureoftheinvader.Thiscancompletelychangeanareatothepointwherethebenefitsthelandpreviouslyprovidedtosocietyandwildlifearelost.

Thereisnoquestionourworstproblemsarecausedbyinvasiveplant

speciesthatarenotnativetoNorthAmerica,butdoesthismeanthatallnon-nativespeciesarebad?

Considerthefollowing:1) Non-nativespeciesaretypicallyinvasive.�) Invasivespeciesaretypicallynon-native.

Whichismoreaccurate?Giventhemagnitudeofproblemscausedbyinvasivenon-nativeplants,itmaybetemptingtoacceptstatement1asfact;however,statement1isnotveryaccurate.Of

thethousandsofplantsthathavebeenpurposelyintroducedtoNorthAmerica,farlessthan10percenthaveescapedcultivationandbecomeproblematicinvaders.Manyoftheplantsusedforcrops,landscaping,andotherapplicationsarenotnativetoNorthAmericabutwerebroughtherefromothercontinents.Mostofthesearegenerallyconsideredbeneficialplants.

Statement�,ontheotherhand,isveryaccurate.OurmostproblematicinvasiveplantsarenotnativetoNorthAmerica.ManyarenativesofEuropeorAsiaandhavebeenintroducedtoNorthAmericaeitheronpurposeorbyaccident.Intentionalplantintroductionsincludethoseusedforagriculture,asornamentals,orforsoilstabilization.Inthe19thcentury,thereweregroupsknownasacclimatizationsocieties,whosemainmissionwastobringspeciesfromtheOldWorldtoNorthAmericatodeterminewhichoneswouldsurvivehereandbeusedtobenefitlifeintheNewWorld.Asaresult,plantintroductionhasbeengoingonforquitesometime.Asmallpercentageoftheseintentionallyintroducedplantshaveescapedandbecomeproblemplants.

Weeding&Native

There are many beneficial non-native plants. Here, non-native plants were used to stabilize and revegetate abandoned tailings piles from mining activity. This mix of non-native plants includes species known not to be invasive such as orchard grass, bromes, timothy milk vetch, and alfalfa.

The patch of plants growing in the center of this picture shows how some invasive non-native plants can grow in almost pure stands often called monocultures. In this example, the invader is a perennial plant called Russian knapweed. There are several species of knapweed that are aggressive, non-native invaders.

S p R I N G � 0 0 6 �

Therearealsoanumberofwaysnon-nativeplantsareandhavebeenintroducedtoNorthAmericabyaccident.Somewereintroducedbecausetheirseedsweremixedinwiththeseedsofplantsintentionallyintroducedascropsorornamentals(seedcontaminants).Othersattachedthemselvestoanimalsorhumansandwerebroughtinas“hitchhikers.”

Someofourworstprobleminvaderswereintroducedinsoilusedbyships,whichwouldcommonlyusesoilfromtheircountryoforigintoprovideweightstabilizationforthetriptoNorthAmerica.WhencargowasloadedinaNorthAmericanport,aportionorallofthatsoilwouldhavebeenoffloadedhereinNorthAmerica.

Sowhat?Whocares,andwhatdoesitmeanforlifeinWyoming?First,itisimportanttoremembernotallnon-nativeplantsareprobleminvaders.Actually,manyhaveproventobebeneficialtosociety,includingfoodproductionandlandscaping,andmayevenbeecologicallybenign.Someareimportantforrevegetatingpreviouslydisturbedland,creatingandimprovingwildlifehabitat,orhelpingmanageproblemscausedbyinvasiveweeds.

Thatbeingsaid,landownersshouldusecautionwhenselectingseedstoplant.Recallthat,

althoughnotallnon-nativeplantsareinvasive,ourworstprobleminvadersarenon-native.Stayawayfromseedsidentifiedas“aggressive,”that“mayescapecultivation,”orthatare“difficulttoremoveafterestablishment.”Thereisaprettygoodchancethesewillendupasfutureprobleminvaders.

Finally,familiarizeyourselfwiththedesignatednoxiousweedsandotherprobleminvadersinWyoming.Theseareplantsalreadyknowntocausebigproblems,andtherealityisyoucanstillbuyseedsformanyofthesefromanumberofsources.Itisstrangeanddisturbingbuttrue.

LocalofficesoftheUniversityofWyomingCooperativeExtensionService(UWCES),federalNaturalResourcesConservationService,countyweedandpestcontroldistricts,andconservationdistrictscanprovideinformationonproblemplants.

Considertheuseofnativeplants,butresistconcludingaplantmustbenativetobe“good.”Theavailabilityofnativeplantmaterialisimproving,andpricesarebecomingmorecompetitive.

TakingafewsimpleprecautionswhenitcomestoselectingplantscangoalongwaywhenitcomestohelpingWyomingweedoutthebadfromthegood.

Paul Meiman is a UW CES state range specialist stationed in Lander. He can be reached at (307) 332-1840 or by e-mail at pmeiman@uwyo.edu.

Pictured are two aggressive non-native invaders. The plant on the left with pink flowers is spotted knapweed, which prefers relatively moist, or slightly higher elevation, areas. Diffuse knapweed on the right with white flowers does just fine in relatively drier areas and lower elevations. Some close relatives of these two can still be purchased for ornamental purposes and many Centaurea spp. can be found in seed mixtures – buyer beware!

Here is another problematic non-native invader. Leafy spurge is fairly common in Wyoming and is another example of a very aggressive perennial plant.

plants:outthebadfromthegood

� B A R N Y A R D S A N D B A C K Y A R D S

Portable fencingGrassneedsgrazingtothriveandarestperiod

torecover.Overgrazingisreallyafunctionoftimeandnot

necessarilyacreage,stocknumbers,orevenstockdensity.Agoodrotationalgrazingsystemgrazesthegrassplantoncethenallowsanadequaterestperiodfortheplanttorecover.

Electricfencingcanbethemostcost-effectivemethodofcontrollingthetimestockgrazeagivenarea.Don’thesitatetoseekhelpwithagrazingorwateringplanandfencedesignandplacement.Therearemanyconfigurationsthatallowcontrolofmanyspecies,includinghorses,cattle,sheep,andgoats.

Anotherfactorthatwillinfluencethedesigniswildlife.Afencethatmustcoexistwithdeerandelkmayhaveasubstantiallydifferentdesignthanonethatdoesnot.

permanent,multi-strand,high-tensileelectricsystemsareagoodchoicefortheperimeterofapasture.Thenumberofwireswillvaryaccordingtotheanimalinvolved.Horsesandmaturecattlecanquiteoftenbecontainedwiththreewireswhilesmallcalves,sheep,andgoatsmayrequirefiveorsix.

createsmultiplepaddocks,

Therearetwocommonmistakespeoplemakewhentryinghigh-tensilefencingforthefirsttime:poststooclose!Wirestootight!

postspacingsofaround50feetareadequate.Thewiresshouldbetightenedjusttothepointofremovingmostofthesagbetweenposts.Solidfiberglasspostshaveproventhebesttouseinareaswithsnowloadsandwildlife.Therearenoplasticinsulatorstobreak,andtheflexibilityoftheposthelpstoovercomesideloads.

Forinteriorcross-fences,amixtureofhigh-tensilepermanentandportable“polywires”andtapesoftenprovebest.Trytocreatepaddocksbyplacingseveralpermanentcross-fencesonobvioustopographicalchanges,notforgettingtoincludestockwaterinsidethepaddockoraccessdownalanetothewater.Ditchescanalsobeawatersourceifgrazingirrigatedpasture.Twowiresareusuallyadequateformaturecattleandlargercalves,whilethreewiresareabetterchoiceforhorsesorcattlewithsmallercalves.

Useportable“polywires”and“polytapes”onhandyreelsforsomeinternalfencing.plastic“treadin”postswithmultiplewirelugsarethemostadaptable.Theycanbeplacedat�0-to50-footspacingsandthewirestightenedbyhand.Onechargedwiremaybesufficientonirrigatedpasturewithhorsesandmaturecattlebut,whenondrysoilsorwinter-grazingonfrozensoilordrysnow,agroundwirerunwithahotwiremaybeneeded.Spacingbetweenthewiresisveryimportantandisdependentupontheanimal.

portablefencingallowsthegreatestflexibilityinchangingpaddocksizeandallowsrotationstomatchthegrowthoftheplant.Aimfortheshortest

helpseliminateovergrazing

S p R I N G � 0 0 6 5

Portable fencing

Morgan Renner of Meeteetse is the territory manager for Gallagher Animal Management Systems and can be contacted by calling (307) 868-9274 or by e-mail at ucme4shox@tctwest.net.

grazingperiodperpaddockneededtoharvesttheavailableforage,sayonetofourdays,thenaminimum�0-dayrestperiodduringfastplantgrowth.Asplantgrowthslows,adjusttofiveto10daysgrazingand60to80daysofrestperpaddock.Multiplepaddocksareneededtoreachtheselevelsofrestbut,bysubdividingwithportableelectricfencing,itbecomesachievable.

Therearealsoafewmethodsofconstructingthefencestohelpinmaintenanceandtroubleshooting.

Theheartofanyelectricfencesystemisthepowersourceorenergizer.A110-voltplug-inenergizerisgenerallyrecommendedoverabatteryorsolarunitbecausemoreofone’sdollarscangotopowerandnotbatteries,solarpanels,etc.Thisisnottosayabatteryunitisunacceptable;theyareagreatchoicebutonlyifyoudon’thave110-voltpoweravailable.Also,getspecificrecommendationsastothesizeoftheenergizerbymatchingittothejobathand:Howlongistheperimeterfence?Whattypeofanimalareyoucontrolling?Doesthefencerunthroughhighvegetation?Willyouaddontothesystemeventually?

Allthesequestionswillhelpasuppliermatchanenergizertoone’sneeds.

Lastly,considerinvestinginadigitalvoltmeterdesignedtomonitorfencesandenergizers.Theyarehand-heldmetersthatmeasurethevoltageoutputofanenergizeroratanypointalongafenceline.Theyareinvaluablefordiagnosinganyproblems.

These workshops will have speakers and sessions that will help every landowner better manage their land. A combination of classroom and hands-on activities will give attendants tools they can use.

April 22, Casper ContactTomHeald,NatronaCountyCooperativeExtension Serviceofficeat235-9400ortheald@natronacounty.wy.gov

May 13, Cheyenne ContactLaramieCountyConservationDistrictat772-2600

May 18, Wheatland ContactPlatteCountyCooperativeExtensionServiceoffice at322-3667

For details on these and other events happening across the state, visit www.barnyardsandbackyards.com/ and click on “Events”

Barnyards & BackyardsworkshopsPractical information for rural living enthusiasts

6 B A R N Y A R D S A N D B A C K Y A R D S

NutrientsDoyouwanttogrowanorganicgardenwithout

theuseofcommercialfertilizersandherbicidestocontrolweeds?patienceisonekeytosuccess.Organicgardenersmustprovideneededplantnutrientswithorganicallyproducedmanuresorgreenmanures(leftoverplantmaterial,suchassweetclover,tilledbackintothesoilbeforeitturnsbrown).Weedsmustbetilled,pulled,orburnedout.Manuresdonotworklikecommercialfertilizers.Soilmicrobestakeconsiderabletimetobreakcompostedmanuresdowntoreleaseneedednutrientsfortheplant.Commercialfertilizersreleaseneedednutrientswithindaysofapplication.

Ammoniumnitrate,oneofthemorepopularnitrogenfertilizerproducts,willnolongerbeavailabletothefarmingandgardeningcommunity.Theproduct,amainingredientforbombmaking,isbeingtakenoffthemarketinpartbecauseofhomelandsecurityreasons.Urea-basedproductswillreplaceammoniumnitrate.

UniversityofWyomingresearchconductedattheUWpowellResearchandExtensionCentershowsthatAgrotain-treatedureaoffersoneoptionasadrygranularproducttoreplaceammoniumnitrategranules.Agrotaininhibitstheactivityoftheureaseenzyme,whichconvertsureatoammonia,accordingtotheresearch.UreawithoutAgrotaincanquicklybereleasedintotheair.Whenpurchasinggranulatednitrogen,makesureitcontainsastabilizersuchasAgrotain.

AproblemIoftenseeinthegardenissprinklerirrigation.Irecommendfurrowirrigationor,betteryet,adripirrigationsystem.Sprinklingwateronbig-leavedplantslikesquash,tomato,watermelon,etc.,willsubjecttheplantstodiseaseproblems.Thesplashingwaterdropletsfromthesprinklerwillpick

GardenersliketostirthesoilinWyoming,wheresoilsarenotoriouslylackingin

organicmatter.Toproducegardenfreshvegetables,

wemusttakecareofthesoil.Buildingorganicmatterincreasessoilfriabilityor

“crumbliness,”improvestheabilitytotill,facilitatesaerationandwaterpenetration,and

improvesthemoisture-holdingcapacity.Italsoprovidesasourceofmanyplantnutrients.

Goodsourcesoforganicmatterincludesphagnumpeatmoss,compostedleavesandgrass,andcompostedlivestockorpoultrymanure.Compostingthematerialkillsweedseeds.Eachyear,tillinacoupleofinchesofcomposttoenhancetheorganicmatterofyourgarden.ThepublicationBackyard Composting: Simple, small-scale methods,B-97�R,isavailableathttp://www.uwyo.edu/CES/pUBS/b97�R.pdf

Usecautionifusingmanureonagarden.Ihauledinaloadofmanurefromafriend’sfeedlotandspreaditonmygardenmanyyearsago.Itwasn’tcompostedmanure(theweedseedsweren’tdead).Ineverusedtohavetohoeoutpurslaneuntilthen.Tothisday,I’mstillfightingthat@#%#@#@weed.Itreproducesvegetatively.IfIleaveapieceofitinthesoil,itwillreproducefromthatpiece.Believeme;youdon’twantthisweedinyourgardenifyoudon’talreadyhaveit.

AddinglimeasasoilamendmentisnotrecommendedforWyomingsoils,whichtendtobealkaline.LimeisaddedtosoilsintheeasternUnitedStates,whichareacidic.SulfurcanbeahelpfulsoilamendmentonWyoming’shighlyalkalinesoils.Applyingsulfuratuptoahalf-a-poundpersquarefootisrecommendedonhighpHsoils.Mostgardensiteswilldofinewithouttheadditionofmicronutrientsorsulfur.

S p R I N G � 0 0 6 7

Jim Gill is a CES educator serving Park, Big Horn, Washakie, and Hot Springs counties. He can be reached at (307) 347-3431 or by e-mail at jrgill@uwyo.edu

upandspreadbacterialdiseaseorganisms,suchasearlyblightonpotatoesandtomatoes,fromplanttoplantlikeafirestorm.Thewaterdropletsalsoprovideawonderfulenvironmentontheplantforfungaldiseases.Furrowirrigatingkeepswateroffplants.

Weed managementWeed-controloptionsinthegardeninclude

plasticmulchesintheformofplasticlandscapefabrics,whichworkparticularlywellwithtransplantsliketomatoesandpeppers.Organicmulcheslikebarkorweed-andherbicide-freegrassclippingsaddedbetweentherowswillhelpsuppressinvadingweeds.Becarefulnottooverdograssclippings.Toomuchtooclosetoaplantcandomoreharmthangood;theywillcutoffneededoxygenandsuffocatethevegetablesweworksohardtogrow.

preen®isanexampleofapre-emergentherbicidethatcanbeappliedtogardensoilatplantingtime.Theactiveingredient,trifluralin,willcontrolweedseedasitgerminates,yetitis

selectiveforawidevarietyofvegetablesinthetreatedgarden.Itwillworkwellintheflowergarden,too.preenisshort-livedinthesoilssoitshouldnotbeappliedtoomuchaheadofplanting.SelectivelysprayingweedswithaherbicidesuchasRoundup®orotherglyphosateproductisanoption.Becarefulnottolettheproductdriftontoyouroraneighbor’spreciousvegetablesorflowerswhenusingitaroundthegarden.

ThepublicationGardening Vegetables in Wyoming,B-1115,isanall-aroundgardeningsource.Itisavailableathttp://www.uwyo.edu/CES/pUBS/B1115.pdf.Downloadsarefreeorahardcopyversioncanbeobtainedbye-mailingtheCollegeofAgriculture’sResourceCenteratbixbyd@uwyo.edu,callingthecenterat(�07)766-�115,orwritingtotheUniversityofWyoming,CollegeofAgriculture,Department��1�,1000E.UniversityAve.,Laramie,WY8�071.

WeintheUWCooperativeExtensionService(CES)areproudofourheritageinhelpinghomeownersandgardenersachievetheirproductiongoals!EverycountyinthestatehasaCESoffice.Wecanbefoundinthephonebookinthecountygovernmentsection.CountyCESofficecontactinformationisalsoavailableontheWebathttp://www.uwyo.edu/UWces/Counties.asp

Other resources:Gardening: Extending the Vegetable Growing

Season–http://www.uwyo.edu/ces/pUBS/B11�8.pdfGardening: Hot Beds & Cold Frames–

http://www.uwyo.edu/CES/pUBS/B1151.pdfLandscaping: Water-wise Wyoming Gardens–

http://www.uwyo.edu/CES/pUBS/b11��.pdf

8 B A R N Y A R D S A N D B A C K Y A R D S

Soiltestscanhelpassessthequalityofaspecificfieldforgrowingacroporagardenplot,whether

itisgrass,alfalfa,vegetables,orflowers.Therearemanytypesoftestsavailable.If

productionhasbeenacceptabletotheownerandtherearenoobviousproblemareasinfieldsorgardens,astandardfertilitytest(nitrate,phosphate,organicmatter,pH,saltestimate,qualitativelime,andtexture)orastandardfertilitytestpluspotassium,iron,andzincmaybeallthatisneeded.YourlocalUniversityofWyomingCooperativeExtensionService(UWCES)countyeducatorortheUWSoilTestingLaboratoryinLaramiecanhelpdetermineneededtests.Thestandardfertilitytestwillprovidevaluableinformationtohelpgrowersmakedecisionsaboutfertilizerapplication.

TIMINGSoilsamplingafewweeksbeforefertilizer

applicationisusuallybest.Equipmentandtimeconstraintscansometimespreventthis,andsamplesaretakenatothertimes.Nutrientcontentwillchangeovertime.Somenutrientsleach,andotherscanbereleasedandmadeavailablefromtheorganicmatterorthemineralmaterialinthesoil.Itisimportanttobeconsistentwiththetimingsoresultscanbecomparedyeartoyear.Establishasamplingtimethatsuitsyourmanagementpractices.Keeprecordsshowingproductionresults.Remember,fertilizerrecommendationsarebasedonaverageperformances,andotherfactors(sampletiming,water,slope,etc.)mayrequireslightlyincreasingordecreasingthesuggestedrates.

WHERENext,identifytheareastosample.Thereare

threebasicapproachestochoosingtheseareas–wholefield,gridsampling,andmanagement-unitsampling.

Ifusingthewhole-fieldmethod,take15to�0coresfromrandomareasinthefield.Thecoresaremixedtogetherinacleanbucket,andarepresentativesampleissenttothelaboratoryforanalysis.Unusualareasinthefieldsuchassaltdeposits,animalwateringorfeedingareas,andoldbuildingsitesshouldbeavoided.Thewhole-fieldmethodtreatstheentirefieldinthesamemannerandcanresultinoverfertilizingsomeareasandunderfertilizingothers.

Withgridsampling,thefieldisdividedintouniformcells,usuallyonetotwoacresinsize.Tento15coresfromrandomareaswithineachcellaretaken.Avoidunusualareas.Gridsamplingusuallyresultsinmoreaccurateestimatesofnutrientavailability.Ifvariable-ratefertilizerapplicationequipmentisnotavailable,growerswillnotbeabletotakeadvantageofthataccuracy.Itrequiresmanysamplesforonefieldandcanbeexpensive.

Acompromisebetweenwhole-fieldandgridsamplingisthemanagement-unitapproach.Dividealargefieldintoseveralsmallersamplingareasbasedonknowncharacteristics.Thesemaybesoiltype(fromsoilsurveydata),historicalmanagementdifferences,yielddata,oraerialphotographsthatshowdistinctdifferencesinplantgrowth.Fifteento�0randomcoresaretakenfromeachmanagement-unitarea.

GettingtheHOWTOTEST

S p R I N G � 0 0 6 9

Kelli Belden is a research associate in the Department of Renewable Resources and is director of the UW Soil Testing Laboratory. She can be reached at (307) 766-2135 or by e-mail at soiltest@uwyo.edu.

TAKING THE SAMPLEAgoodsoiltestrequirescollectinggoodsoil

samples.First,decideifsurface(0-6inchesor0-8inches)sampleswillbetakenorifsurfaceanddeepsamples(to�or�feet)willbetaken.Deepsamplesareonlytestedfornitrate.Afertilityrecommendationcanbemadefromthesurfacesampleonly,butnitrogenrecommendationsaremoreaccurateifdeepsamplesarealsotaken.

Startwithcleantools.Aplasticbucketandashovelareallthatareneeded;however,asoilprobe,whichremovesasoilcore,makestakingconsistentsampleseasier.Tosample,removethedebrisfromthetopofthesoilanduseasoilprobetoremovea6-or8-inch-longcore.Ifusingashovel,digaholeandthenshavea1-to�-inchsliceoffthesideoftheholetoadepthof6or8inches.Makesurethesliceisasthickatthebottomasatthetop.

Gotootherrandomsamplingareasandrepeattheprocess.Mixthecoresorsliceswell,anddiscardanylargestones.Thesoilshouldbespreadonacleansurfaceandallowedtodryintheshade.Mixthesoilagain,andputaboutaquartofsoilinacleanplasticbag.Donotdryitintheovenormicrowavetospeedtheprocess.Thiswillruinthesample.

SUBMIT YOUR SAMPLEYouarenowreadytosendyoursamplefor

testing.Themoreinformationprovidedtothelaboratory,thebetterthequalityofthefertilizer

recommendation.Wateringschedule,methodofirrigationandwatersource,conditionofcurrentplantlife,expectationsforfutureplantlife,depthofsoil,drainage,andthetypeoffertilizerusedareallconsideredwhenmakingafertilizerrecommendation.

SoiltestinginformationsheetscanbeobtainedatanyUWCESofficeoronlineathttp://www.uwyo.edu/CES/pUBS/Mp6.�.pdf

Thelaboratorycharges$�0forthestandardtest,whichincludespH,salts,organicmatter,phosphate-phosphorus,nitrate-nitrogen,lime,andtexture.

StraightDirtTHEHEALTHOFYOURSOIL

1 0 B A R N Y A R D S A N D B A C K Y A R D S

Denn

is and

Lucil

e Tayl

or

featuredNestledinthefoothillsoftheLaramieMountains

nearLapreleReservoir,DennisandLucileTayloroperatetheirWyomingBoerGoatRanchabout�0milessouthwestofDouglas. Hisgreat-grandfather,DennisLeman,homesteadedthereinthemid-1870s,andthebedroomsintheirhouseoccupytheoriginalcabin.

LucileisthecountyclerkforConverseCounty,ajobthatkeepsherbusy,andDennisholdsdownapart-timejoboutsidetheranchoperation.Altogether,itmakesforaverylongandbusyday.

Dennischuckleswhilepointingoutheisafourth-generationrancherbutafirst-generationgoatrancher.

DennisandLucilestartedthegoatoperationin1995.Thiseast-centralareaofWyomingunderwentfiveyearsofdrought,andDennissaidhehadtosellmostofhiscattle.Hekept10headandisrebuildingthecowherd.Theyalsohavehorses.

In1995,hepurchasedsomedairygoatstohelphissisterfeedsomebumlambs.“Ioriginallyboughtsomegoatstofeedsomeorphanlambsandthendevelopedaninterestinthemeat-typegoat,”Dennissays.

ThecouplemadethechoicetoraiseBoergoats,whicharebredfortheirmeat,in�001whentheypurchased�7headfromabreederinOklahomaCity,Oklahoma.Thecouple’sBoergoatherdconsistsof100-1�5does–�5registeredandtherestarefullbloodorpercentageblooddoes.ManymaynotunderstandthatBoermeans“farmer”intheircountryoforigin–SouthAfrica.

Goatmeatisanimportantfoodsource.TheAmericanMeatGoatAssociationlistsgoatmeatasthemostwidelyconsumedmeatintheworld.Goathasastrongethnicsignificanceandisamajorfoodinthedietsofmanyethnicculturesthroughouttheworld.

AlthoughinterestinraisingBoergoatsformeatisstrong,theTaylor’smostenjoyablereasonfor

Ranch’sgoatproductionraisingthemistoseetheresponsebetweenyouthsandgoats.

“Youcannotbelievethemagicthathappensbetweenachildandagoatkidwhenayoungpersonownsagoatoftheirown,”Dennisquicklypointsout.“It’sprettymuchraisingkidstohelpraisekids.”

Goatshavetheperfectpersonalityforyouthprojects.Theyarenotaggressivebutaresmart,socialanimalsthatlovetofollowyou,areeasytotrimandhandle,yetsmallenoughforchildrentoworkwith.Ultimately,theydevelopaspecialbondwithchildren,hesays.

Dennissayshefirstnoticedthekid-kidrelationshipwhilewatchinghisgrandchildrenplayingwithgoatsinthecorral.“Thekid(goats)andthekidswerehavingablastclimbinginandoutofthebunksandjumpingfromonespottoanother,”Dennissays.

Thegoatsalsohaveaneffectonadults.HisoldestdaughterteachesandcoachesvolleyballataschoolinIdahoFalls,Idaho,andhenotes,“Whenshegetshomeyoucancatchherinwiththegoatsjustwanderingaroundwatchingthem.Idon’tknow.Maybeit’sstressrelease.”

Thegrandchildrenalsoshowthegoatsatregionalcompetitions.“Ateveryshow,youcanseetheinteractionbetweengoatsandkids.Great�-Hprojects,”saysDennis.

Boergoatsarealsoveryversatile.Goatscantransportsuppliesintoanareaonsmallcarts,andmanyareusedinthemountainsaspackanimalsbywildlifeandwildernessenthusiastsduetotheireasymanageabilityandlowimpactontheenvironment.Thegoatsarealsousedtoreduceplantmaterialsaroundbuildingsbygrazing,thusreducingthechancesofwildfire.Boergoatscancontrolweedinfestationsinenvironmentallysensitiveareasnearstreamsandlakeswheremostherbicidescannotbesafelyused.

S p R I N G � 0 0 6 11

landowners

Milt Green is a UWCES educator serving Natrona, Converse, and Niobrara counties. He can be reached at (307) 235-9400 or by e-mail at mgreen@natronacounty-wy.gov.

Fencingisthemostimportantconsiderationforherdmanagement.Awovenwirefencewith9-inchspacingononesideofthefencepostandtwoelectricfencewiresontheinsideofthepenseemstoworkbest.

“Youhavetohavethe9-inchwovenwireforBoergoatsbecauseofthehorns,”saysDennis.“Thegoatwillgetitsheadthroughthespacingbutcannotgetitbackoutiftheopeningisanysmaller,anditwilleventuallychokedownanddie.Theelectricwirekeepsthegoatsfromrubbingtheotherwiredown–andtheywillrubitdownwithoutit.”

producersmaywanttogiveconsiderationtohiringaherderifthegoatoperationisgoingtobelargeorifthegoatswillbeusedforvegetationcontrol.

DennisisontheboardfortheMountainStatesMeatGoatAssociationthatrepresentsUtah,Idaho,Nebraska,Colorado,andWyoming.Theassociationpromotesandmarketsmeat-typegoats.Doesandbucksaremarketedbyacashprice,whilewethers,acastratedgoat,usuallysellbyacontractforaspecificweightrange.

TheprobleminWyomingisgettingenoughgoatsatmarketweighttomakeuparequiredload(60070-to80-poundgoats).

Thepotentialforthesmall-acreagelandownerplaysacriticalroleinthemarketingprocess.“Withseveralpeopleproducingsmallnumbersofgoats,itgivesusthechancetoputtogethermoreloadsattheidealweight.Italsoallowsustheopportunitytosortthegoatsformoreuniformity,”saysDennis.

Dennisindicatesheandhiswifeinitiallydidnotwriteabusinessplanfortheoperation;however,since�001,hehasreceivedhelpfromtheConverseAreaNewDevelopmentOrganizationandhaswrittenabusinessplan.

“Thebusinessplanshelpsyoufocusonthebusiness.Ithelpstowritedownyourgoals,seewhatthebusinessisdoing,andchangesomethingsyouhavealwaysdoneinthepastthatwerenotworkingthatwell,”hesays.

DennisisintheprocessofreceivingcertificationasanAmericanBoerGoatAssociationjudgeandwouldliketojudgemeat-goatshows.HecouldbethefirstcertifiedBoergoatjudgeinWyoming.

AnyonewithaninterestinraisingBoergoatscangoon-linetotheLivestockforLandscapesWebsiteathttp://livestockforlandscapes.comortheAmericanBoerGoatAssociationwww.abga.org.

beganinresponsetodrought

1 � B A R N Y A R D S A N D B A C K Y A R D S

“Doyouknowanyonewhohasextrapastureforlease?I’malittleshortthisyear.”

It’saquestionIhearallthetimeaboutacommonproblem,especiallyduringthelastfewyearsofdrought.

Thosewhopasturelivestock,whetherone�-Hhorseorhundredsofbeefcattle,are,inreality,grassfarmers.Weraiseandcareforgrassandotherherbaceousplants,whicharethenharvestedbyouranimals.Agrassplant’shealth,andultimatelythesoil’swaterandmineralcycles,aredirectlyrelatedtothetypeanddurationofgrazingweallow.NoticeIsay“weallow.”Ifyourcrittersaredictatinghowyougraze,theremaybeabetterway!

Mostgrassesevolvedwithgrazingandsoareequippedtorespondtograzing.Infact,somegrassesneedgrazing,fire,orsomeothertypeoftop-growthremovaltosurvive.Oneoftheadaptationsmanygrassspeciesusetotheiradvantageinagrazingenvironmentislocatingtheirgrowthpointsclosetothesoilsurfaceasopposedtoupintheairwheretheymayberemovedbygrazinganimals.Thegrowthpointsformostotherplants,shrubs,andtreesarelocatedhigherontheplantand,ifyouremoveit,theirgrowthpatternmaybeseverelyaltered.Removalofthegrowing

Rest,recoverykeytosmall-pointsmaycausetheseplantstohedgeout,ortheirgrowthmaybeentirelycurtailed.

Notsowiththosegrassplantswhosegrowthpointsaredownintheirplantcrowns.They’rebuilttonotonlysurvivegrazingbutthrivewithitifmanagedproperly.

Let’sthinkaboutagrassplant’smission–tomakeitsownfood.Todothis,grassescapturesolarenergyfromthesunandabsorbcarbondioxidefromtheair.Theseinputs,combinedwithwaterandmineralsabsorbedfromthesoilthroughtherootsystem,allowplantstoproducesugarsandstarchestofueltheirowngrowth.plantsrelyheavilyontheiractivelygrowingleavesforthecaptureofsolarenergyandtheuptakeofcarbondioxide.Becauseofthis,itisveryimportanttoprovidegrassplantswithopportunitiestogrowintheabsenceofgrazingpressuresothattheymaybenefitfromtheiractivelygrowingleaves.

Thekeyisrest–therecoveryperiodbetweengrazingevents.Iftheplantisgrazedasecondtimetooquickly–beforetheleafareaislargeenoughtosupportgrowth–itshealthandproductioncanbeexpectedtodecline.Thisisactuallyagooddefinitionofovergrazing:bitinganindividualgrassplantasecondtimebeforeithashadadequatetimetorecoverfromthefirstbite.

Givingthatplantsufficienttimebetweenbiteswillbuildrootmassandleafproductionandmayboostplantvigor.Ifnot,theresultsaredwindlingroots,slowerleafgrowth,theinabilitytorecoverfromgrazing,andlotsofbaresoil.

Doyouknowanygoodexamplesofthisscenario?Howaboutyouryard?Doesitrestbetween“grazings”?Isitthickerandfullerthanyourpasture?Ibetitis,andIbetyou“harvest”itbymowingitrepeatedlyallsummer!Youmaybeabletodothe

S p R I N G � 0 0 6 1�

samewithyourpasturebychangingfromseason-longgrazingto“rotational”or“intensive”grazing.

Modernelectricfencing(seerelatedarticleonpage�)istheeasiestmethodtosubdivideapastureintopaddocksandbeginrotationalgrazing.portableelectricpolywireletslandownersmatchthespeedoftherotationtoplantgrowth.Becauseplantsgrowfastestinthespringwhensoilmoisturetypicallypeaksandthenslowerfortheremainderofthegrowingseason,itiscriticaltorotate“fastduringfastgrowth,slowerduringslowgrowth.”

Thinkaboutthisforaminute.Ifourobjectiveistograzetheplantoncethenrestitadequatelysogrowthcanresumeandrootreservesaren’tdippedintobeforeitisbittenagain,thisstandstoreason.Anactivelygrowingplantwillrecoverfasterthanonethat

isintheslowergrowthphaselaterinthesummer.Asforwintergrazing,theplantisnotactivelygrowingandwillnotsufferrootdamage.Thiscanbebeneficialasitremovesoldleafmatterandclearsthewayforafreshstartfortheplantnextspring.

So,whatbenefitsmightyourealizefromthistypeofgrazing?Therearemany,includingtighterplantspacings,improvedsoilfertility,newplantsstartedbyhoofaction,fastermanurebreakdown,lessflyandpestbother,higherproduction(meat,milk,wool,etc.)peracre,andstockpiledgrassforwintergrazing–lesshayexpense!

Manypeoplereporttheabilitytograzetwicethenormalstockingrateperacreormorewhenshiftingfromcontinuousgrazingsystemstothoseincorporatingadequaterestperiods.

Grazing planning:Rangelands West Consortiumhttp://www.rangelandswest.org/

Holistic Management Internationalhttp://www.holisticmanagement.org/

University of Wyoming Cooperative Extension Servicehttp://www.uwyo.edu/UWces/Counties.asp

Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts, local officeshttp://www.conservewy.com/

Natural Resources Conservation Service, Wyominghttp://www.wy.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/rangemgt/range.html

OregonSmallFarmsPastureManagementhttp://smallfarms.oregonstate.edu/pasture/

Small Pasture Management Guide for Utahhttp://extension.usu.edu/files/agpubs/pasture.pdf

Electric fence design and dealers:Gallagher Animal Management Systemshttp://www.gallagherusa.com/pf.types.aspx

High Country Ag Marketing Inc.http://www.hcam.net/

J.L. Williams Companyhttp://www.safefence.com

Morgan Renner, territory manager, Gallagher Animal Management Systemse-mail: ucme4shox@tctwest.net

Tru-Testhttp://www.trutest.co.nz/speedrite_new

Morgan Renner of Meeteetse is the territory manager for Gallagher Animal Management Systems and can be contacted by calling (307) 868-9274 or by e-mail at ucme4shox@tctwest.net.

Where can I turn for more information?

acreagepasturemanagement

1 � B A R N Y A R D S A N D B A C K Y A R D S

Weedcontrolcanbefrustrating–time,money,andsweatthrownataproblem

thatdoesn’tseemtogetanybetter.Thereisarecipeforsuccess,andthat

“recipe”isbetternowthanever.This“recipe”willbeoutlinedinthenextseveralissuesofBarnyards & Backyards.Thisspring,let’sstarttogetcontrolofweeds.

Equipment and Resources• Weeds of the Westisacomprehensive

bookthatshowsanddescribesimportantweedspeciesinthewesternUnitedStates.ItisavailablethroughlocalweedandpestcontroldistrictsortheUniversityofWyomingCooperativeExtensionService(UWCES).Wyomingweedandpestdistrictaddressesareathttp://www.wyoweed.org/wp_dist.html.CountyCESofficeinformationisavailableathttp://www.uwyo.edu/UWces/Counties.asp

• Weed Management Handbook, 2006-2007isaquickandreadyreferenceofweedcontrolpracticesusedinWyoming,Montana,andUtah.Itisavailablefreeathttps://uwadmnweb.uwyo.edu/UWCES/WeedManagementHandbook.asp.Abookmaybeobtainedfor$15bye-mailingtheCollegeofAgriculture’sResourceCenteratbixbyd@uwyo.edu,callingthecenterat(�07)766-�115,orwritingtotheUniversityofWyoming,CollegeofAgriculture,Department��1�,1000E.UniversityAve.,Laramie,WY8�071.

• UW Wyoming Weed Identification Site: Identifying Weeds by their Photosat

http://www.uwyo.edu/CES/WYOWEED/NewWYOweedSite/WeedsByLeafs.htm

• A“backpacksprayer”–thesesimple,ruggedsprayersshouldbestandardequipmentforeveryweedwarriorandareavailablethroughlocalfeedandhardwarestoresandlocalweedandpestcontroloffices.Calibratethebackpacksoyouknowhowmanygallonsperacreitwilltreatunderyoursprayingconditions.Contactyourlocalweedandpestdistrictoffice,alocalCESoffice,orvisitthisWebsitehttp://www.team.ars.usda.gov/herbicidemanual.pdf,pages��-��,forcalibrationprocedures.

A w e e d w a r r i o r ’ s s e a s o n a l a p p r o a c h … s p r i n g

S p R I N G � 0 0 6 15

Localweedandpestdistrictscanoffertreatmentrecommendationsandtipsonweedidentification,sprayequipmentcalibration,andbiocontroloptions.Theyhaveequipmentforloanandrent.Theyaretheretohelpyou,thelandowner.Usethem!

Weed Control BasicsTherearefourbasicprocessesinvolvedinweed

control:

Education–Learntoidentifyweedsandtheirlifehistoryandhabits.Learnaboutherbicides,biocontrol,andweedscience.

Prevention–preventweedsfromcomingontoyourplaceandestablishing(i.e.,feedcertified“weed-free”foragewhereverpossible)andavoidtrackinginweedseedbyvehicles,pets,orothermeans.Catchtumblingweedsinwinterwithtemporarysnowfencesthenbaganddisposeoforburnthem.Minimizebareordisturbedgroundareaswithproperlivestockmanagement,andcontainvehiclestoroadways.

Control–Mechanical(mowing,cultivating,anddiggingup),chemical(herbicides),biological(usingnaturalinsectpredators),andcultural(seeCompetition,below)practicescaneffectivelybeused.Manyweedspeciesrespondwelltoacombinationoftwoormorecontrolmethods.Somehard-to-controlperennialweedscanonlyinitiallybecontrolledwithherbicides.

Competition–Usingcompetitive,adapted,anddesirableplantstooutcompetefutureweedsafterinitialcontrolistherealkeytolong-termsuccess.

Spring Weed ControlThemainfocusthistimeoftheyearisannual

weeds(plantsthatgerminate,flower,setseed,

anddieinoneyear–aone-yearlifecycle)andearlybiennialweeds(thoseplantsthatgerminate,produceaplantthefirstyear,thencomeupthesecondyear,flowersmakeseedthendie–atwo-yearlifecycle).Whentreatingannualorbiennialweeds,therearethreethingstoremember.Youaretryingtocontrol:1.Theweedthatcanbeseen(germinatedplant),�.The“seedbank”(dormantseedfrompreviousgenerations)inthesoil,whichcanremainviableforseveralyears,and�.Newweedseedfromcomingintoanarea.

Thegoalistokeeptheseplantsfromproducingseedforseveralgenerations(severalyears).Treattheseweedsbeforetheygotoseedforseveralyears,therebywearingouttheseedbankinthesoil.

Annual/biennialweedspeciesoftengerminateatdifferenttimesduringthespring,sokeepacloseeyeonweeds,andtreateachspeciesbeforeitmakesseed!Thiswillentailseveraltreatmentsduringthespring.Whenstartingtreatmentofannual/biennial

A w e e d w a r r i o r ’ s s e a s o n a l a p p r o a c h … s p r i n g

1 6 B A R N Y A R D S A N D B A C K Y A R D S

Brian Connely is the education coordinator at the Natrona County Weed and Pest Control District and can be reached at (307) 472-5559 or by e-mail at brianwp@alluretech.net

weeds,starta“controlclock”–inotherwordsthenumberofyearsitwilltaketowearouttheseedbankandgetcontroloftheweeds.Ifagenerationismissedorabunchofseedsareimportedintothetreatmentarea,the“controlclock”isresettodayone!Thissimplefactisthenumberonereasonmanyannual/biennialweed-controleffortsfail.

Chemicalcontrolisoftenthemosteffectivemeansforspringweedcontrol.Contactalocalweedandpestdistrictofficeforspecificrecommendations.Mechanicalcontrolcanbeeffectiveonannualandbiennialweeds.Mowingoftenclosetothegroundcanpreventseedproductioninmanyspecies.Hoeingorpullingweedscanalsobeeffective;however,avoidrototilling,asthiscanbringanotherseedbankintothegerminationzone(top�inchesofthesoil).

Manyperennialnoxiousweedshavespreading,reproductiverootstockthat,whenchoppedupincultivation,generatenewplants!Canadathistle,Russianknapweed,andfieldbindweedarethreeexamplesofplantsspreadthroughcultivation.

Afterthisinitialseasonofsuccessfulcontrolmeasuresisemployed,itistimetoimplementcompetition!planthighlycompetitive,adapted,anddesirableplantsinbare-groundtreatmentareas.Grassesareoftenagoodchoiceasmanyspeciesfittheabovecriteriaand,aftertheyareestablished,broadleafweedscanbespottreatedusingabroadleafselectiveherbicide.Seeacountyweedandpestand/orCESofficeforspecificherbicide(s)andcompetitiveplant(s)recommendations.

ConclusionLet’seducateourselvesaboutweedsandweed

science,preventfutureweedproblems,andcontroltheweedswehaveEVERYYEARuntilgoodcontrolisreached.

Starttoestablishcompetitionwithdesirable,adapted,andcompetitiveplantstopreventfutureweedinfestations.Weedcontrolforthosehard-to-controlnoxiousweedswillbeaddressedinupcomingissuesofBarnyards & Backyards.Noxiousweedsarethoseplantsthatareexotic(comefromanothercontinent),invasive,ANDharmtheenvironment.Thisisimportanttorememberastheseweedsarerapidlydestroyingmanynativeecosystems.WeallmustfightthisscourgeofnoxiousweedstohelppreserveourwonderfulWyoming!

S p R I N G � 0 0 6 17

Hopefulchickenproducerscanfeathertheirnesteggandhavetheenjoymentofraisingtheir

ownanimalsbyfollowingsomecommon-senseguidelines.

Doyouwanttoraisechickensforeggproductionormeat?Chickensforlayingeggsarelayers,andthosethatproducemeatarebroilers.

Successfulpoultryproducerstakecareofmanydetailstoensuretheiranimalsarecomfortable.Startingwithhealthyhatchlingsandmaintainingtheirhealthisextremelyimportant.Hatchlingsshouldbeobtainedfromareputablehatcherywithahistoryofproducinghealthybirds

Identifyingthedifferencebetweenahealthybirdandanunhealthybirdisimportant.Ahealthybirdwillbealert,brighteyed,andfullbreasted,anditwillhaveerectposture,cleanfeathers,abrightandfullcombandwattles(theskinontopoftheheadandunderthechin), andcleannostrils.Ahealthybirdwilldrinkplentyofwaterandeatwithfrequenteagerness.Thestool(manure)willbemoistandgrayishincolorwithawhitecap.

Raisingchickensbeginswithbasics Anunhealthybirdwillhaveadecreased

appetiteandwillnotdrinkasmuch. Itwillalsoappearlistless,depressed,shrunken,anddulleyed.Thestoolmaybeverydryandhard(constipation)orjusttheopposite–verywateryandloose(diarrhea).Ifabirdappearstobesick,separatethesickanimalfromtheotherbirds.Aftergettingadvicefromaveterinarianorotherprofessional,followthatadviceverycarefully.

Mosthealthproblemscanbeavoidedorkepttoaminimumbyfollowingthesefivesimplesteps:

*Buyonlyhealthybirdsfromhealthyflocks.

*Keepvaccinationsuptodate.

*Cleancoopsatleastonceaweek.

*Cleanfeedersandwaterersatleastonceaweek;twiceaweekismuchbetter.

*Immediatelyremoveandreplacewetordirtybedding.

Abirdneedsaproperhome(calledacoop)aswellaspropercare,feeding,andwatering.The

1 8 B A R N Y A R D S A N D B A C K Y A R D S

basicrequirementsofpoultryhousingaresimple:* Spaceforresting,feeding,watering,and

movement.

* protectionandescapefromtheweatherandfrompredators.

*Adequateventilationtoavoidstaleairandmoisturebuildup.

Spacerequirementsvaryaccordingtothespeciesandtypeofbird.Smallerbirdssuchasbantamsrequire�to�squarefeetoffloorspace,andegg-productionbirdstakeabout�squarefeetoffloorspace.Largerchickenbreedsandducksrequire�to5squarefeetoffloorspace.Largebirdssuchasgeeseandturkeysneedevenmoreroom.

Cleananddisinfectabroodinghouse(astructureusedtoraisehatchlingsbeforemovedintoacoop)andequipmentbeforeeachnewsetofhatchlingsarrives.place�to6inchesofbeddingsuchaswoodshavings,sawdust,choppedstraworsimilarmaterialsinthebrooderwhenitisdry.

A�50-wattinfraredheatlamp15to18inchesabovethebeddingeasilyprovidesheating.Itshouldbeturnedonthedaybeforethehatchlingsarrivetoallowtimefortemperatureadjustments.Usearopeorchaintohangtheheatlamp.Therecommendedtemperatureforthefirstfewdaysisabout90degrees.Ifhatchlingscrowdundertheheatlamp,theyarecold.Iftheymoveawayfromtheheatlamp,theyarehot.Iftheyarescatteredanddispersedinthebrooder,theyarecomfortable.Movetheheataccordingly.Figures B, C, and D illustrate each of these situations when viewed from above. Decreasethetemperatureby5degreesafterthefirstweek,andthendecreaseitby�to�degreeseverythirdorfourthdayuntilthetemperatureisbetween70and75degrees.

Waterersandfeedersshouldbealternatelyplacedaroundtheedgeofthebrooderandnotplaceddirectlyunderaheatlamp.Fillthefeedersandwaterersthedaybeforethehatchlingsarrive.Figure A provides an illustration of a typical setup.

Nutritionrequirementsaredifferentforeachtypeofbird.pulletsarefemalebirdsunder1yearold.Twentypercentisrecommendedforyoungerpullets(under8weeksold),andtheguidelineforolderpullets(8to�0weeksold)is16percent.

Figure A – Brooder set-up recommendation

Figure C – Too hot

BrooderGuard

Brooder

HeatSource

Chicks

Figure D – Just right

BrooderGuard

Brooder

HeatSource

Chicks

Figure B – Too cold

BrooderGuard

Brooder

HeatSourceChicks

BrooderGuard

S p R I N G � 0 0 6 19

Therecommendationforlayinghensis15percentprotein.Broilersshouldreceivefeedwithaproteincontentofatleast��percent.

Hensandpulletslaymoreeggsasthehoursoflightincrease.Useelectriclightingtomakechickensproducemoreeggs.Layersneedabout15hoursoflightperday(donotallowthelightperiodtodecrease).A�0-wattbulbwillprovideenoughlightforapproximately100layersandenoughlightforbroodersupto�0squarefeetinsize.pulletswillstartlayingeggsatabout��weeksoldundernormalconditions.Henswillaveragelayingapproximately�60eggsperyear.

Inaddition:• providevitaminsinthewater.Commercialfeed

containsvitaminsandminerals,buttheyshouldalsobeprovidedinthewaterbecauseallbirds,evensickones,willdrinkwateraftertheygoofffeed.

•providemedicationsasneeded.Theseareusuallybestgivenbyaddingthemtowater.Besuretofollowalllabelrecommendationsformedications.

•Graduallychangefromonerationtoanotherrationspecifictotheanimalandage.Mixthemtogether(firstmoreoftheoriginalandthenmoreofthenewone),andmakethechangeoverthreetofourdays.

•Controlratsandmiceasmuchaspossiblesincetheycanspreaddisease.

•Isolateaflock,limitvisitors,andkeepdogs,cats,andpetsawayfromacoop.

•Onlykeepbirdsofasimilaragetogether.

Stephen Schafer is a 4-H youth development specialist with the University of Wyoming Cooperative Extension Service and can be reached at (307) 766-5027 or by e-mail at sschafer@uwyo.edu.

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� 0 B A R N Y A R D S A N D B A C K Y A R D S

The University of Wyoming is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).

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