Weed, Poisonous Plant, and Pest Resources for Small Farms

These publications are shared to teach farmers and agriculturalists how to properly control weeds and poisonous plants and pests. Handbooks and management fact-sheets are provided as well as a list of common pasture weeds, poisonous plants, and other pests that affect pastures.

Weed Management and Control

Don't wait to make a weed management plan

Pesky weeds often go undetected in pastures until summertime when they’re in full bloom. And by that time, the best that can be done is to limit the spread of seed and then prepare a management strategy for next season.

Melissa Fery | Mar 2007 | Article

Foxtail control in pastures and hayground

Foxtail is a problematic grass in pastures and hayground, and infestations need immediate attention. Small infestations of foxtail should be spot treated, while larger infestations require whole pasture renovation. This informational ...

Shelby Filley | Jul 2022 | Article Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Management Guides for Common Pasture Weeds

Catchweed Bedstraw

This section contains information on identification of the different life stages of Catchweed Bedstraw.

Mar 2018 | Online resource

Integrated Management of Downy Brome in Winter Wheat

Downy brome (Bromus tectorum L.), also known as cheatgrass, is especially troublesome in low precipitation production areas where crop rotations are mostly limited to winter wheat followed by a year of summer ...

Drew J. Lyon, Andy Hulting, Don W. Morishita, Frank Young | Aug 2020 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Wild Carrot

An abundant seed producer, this weed grows in meadows, pastures, along roadsides, and in noncrop areas. Also known as Queen Anne's lace, wild carrot is listed as a Class B noxious weed in Washington. Counties ...

Jim P. Fitzsimmons, Larry C. Burrill, Jed B. Colquhoun | Jun 2020 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Western Bracken Fern

This article describes the various problems caused in livestock by the Western Bracken Fern in the Pacific North West.

Sep 2017 | Online resource

Yellow Starthistle: Ecology and Management on Pacific Northwest Rangelands

Covers the history of yellow starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis L.) invasion of the Pacific Northwest and describes current infestation levels in Oregon and Washington. Provides basic information regarding yellow ...

Larry L. Larson, Roger Sheley, Michael McInnis, Gary Kiemnec | Jan 2008 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Poisonous Plants

Plants Poisonous to Livestock

Table of poisonous plants and the species it affects, including the scientific name, common name, poisonous parts of the plant, and the primary poisons.

Mar 2018 | Online resource

Plants Poisonous to Livestock in the Western States

Poisonous plants are a major cause of economic loss to the livestock industry. Each year these plants adversely affect 3 to 5 percent of the cattle, sheep, goats, and horses that graze western ranges. All too often the losses to individual livestock operations are large enough to threaten the viability of that ranch.

Apr 2011 | Online resource

Poisonous Plants Commonly Found in Pastures

Pastures often contain weeds that are potentially dangerous to livestock. The toxic compounds in plants are usually a defense mechanism against predation and have a distinct, unpleasant odor or a bitter taste and are not ...

Mylen Bohle, David Hannaway, Andy Hulting, Karin Neff | Apr 2018 | Collection

Other Pests that Affect Pastures

What’s that moss doing in my pasture?

When moss grows in pastures, it's usually a sign of a deeper problem. Permanently getting rid of moss requires addressing the underlying problem, whether that's the condition of the soil or too much shade.

Melissa Fery | Mar 2007 | Article Peer reviewed (Gray level)

Armyworms in Grass Pastures and Corn in Western Oregon

Discusses identification, life cycle, monitoring, action thresholds, biological control, organic controls, and chemical controls. Includes color photos for identification.

Amy Peters, Glenn Fisher | Nov 2006 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Endophyte Toxins in Grass and Other Feed Sources: Risks to Livestock

Many varieties of tall fescue and perennial ryegrass are infected with a fungal endophyte. Endophytes produce bioactive compounds that, while beneficial to the host plants, can be toxic to livestock that consume ...

Gene Pirelli, Nicole Anderson, A. Morrie Craig, Carolyn A. Young | Nov 2016 | Extension Catalog publication Peer reviewed (Orange level)

May 2017

Want to learn more about this topic? Explore more resources from OSU Extension: Pasture and forages, Weeds

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Living on the Land - Spring Pasture Safety Check

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How to starve animals with a full stomach

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Poisonous Plants Commonly Found in Pastures

Mylen Bohle, David Hannaway, Andy Hulting, Karin Neff | Apr 2018 | Collection

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What causes nitrate toxicity in beef cattle?

Nitrate toxicity is a non-infectious and potentially lethal condition whereby cattle consume forages, feedstuffs, or water sources with excessive nitrate concentrations. Recognize factors to allow managers to prevent nitrate toxicity before it becomes costly to the cattle operation.

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Greener pastures: Improving forage production

The potential of a pasture can only be realized when the conditions of growing forage are optimized. Learn how to find the current and potential forage yield of a pasture — and if improvements are worth the investment.

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Feeding beef cattle cull onions

Feeding cull onions to beef cattle can be a way to dispose of culls and reduce costs for beef cattle producers. Feeding too many onions, however, can cause potentially fatal poisoning. Learn how to take advantage of this feed option by following safety practices.

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How to sample a lot of hay

Sampling hay is important to obtain an accurate forage test, which is necessary if you intent to sell, purchase, or feed hay. This video will highlight how to properly obtain a representative sample of hay from a single ...

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Common Crupina

Small flowering plant that poses a threat to rangeland.

Mary Corp | Oct 2018 | Article

Meadow Knapweed

Tall, aggressive perennial destroying native plants.

Mary Corp | Oct 2018 | Article

Leafy Spurge

Hearty perennial reduces rangeland to a monoculture.

Mary Corp | Oct 2018 | Article

Foxtail control in pastures and hayground

Shelby Filley | Jul 2022 | Article Peer reviewed (Gray level)

How to identify forage plants in your pasture or hayfield

Knowing exactly what's growing in a pasture or a hayfield is one of the first steps in proper management. Take advantage of resources online or through an Extension office to get help identifying forage plants.

Shelby Filley | May 2020 | Article

Benefits of belonging to an agriculture organization

For farmers and ranchers, belonging to agricultural and ranching associations promotes common interests and fosters connections that are extremely important to the business or pleasure of farming and ranching.

Shelby Filley | Aug 2019 | Article

Managing Hypochaeris Radicata may prevent Stringhalt Disease in horses

A debilitating condition in horses called stringhalt may be associated with Hypochaeris radicata also known as false dandelion, flatweed, common catsear or summer dandelion. This invasive species is common in pastures throughout ...

Melissa Fery | Jun 2024 | Article Peer reviewed (Gray level)

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Cost summary for custom operations and directory of operators in Malheur County

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