12-10 FB Grazing Cheatgrass

 Grazing Is The Cure, Not the Cause of Increasing Wildfires in the West. Idaho ranchers discuss wildfire and livestock grazing trends. The Idaho Cattle Association (ICA) hosted a panel discussion on grazing and wildfire trends.  The panel presented on causes and effects of wildfires, as well as possible solutions and challenges for the cattle industry moving forward. Members of the panel identified cheat grass as a primary cause of wildfires in Idaho and throughout the Great Basin. Cheat grass is an invasive exotic species that has proliferated with great success in the arid western United States. I have had many discussions with Wally Butler who is a range management specialist with the Idaho Farm Bureau and he has amplified the comments coming from Idaho Cattle Association with regard to cheat grass. Common sense would dictate that the notion that livestock will eat cheat grass in the wild is a great idea and certainly, from an economic perspective, if you can get animals to eat  wildfire fuel you accomplish 2 goals. One, fuel is reduced. And secondly, you are feeding your animals for free. Here’s ICA spokesperson Jessie Thompson: “Grazing is a great way to reduce the occurrence of wildfires because cattle graze the fuel that wildfires are fueled from.