Promoting Native Grasses For Forage On Wild Horse Island, Montana
As annual grass creeps its way into the primary forage zone for the Flathead Reservation's big horn sheep, efforts to both outcompete the low-quality grasses and promote native grasses for forage begin.
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Project Overview
Wild Horse Island is a 2,163-acre unit of Montana State Park in Flathead Lake and is located within the Flathead Reservation boundaries of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. Bighorn sheep use the south-facing grasslands for forage. Unfortunately, encroaching annual grass posed a threat to both the foraging quality and the habitat.
Why are synthetic herbicides not the best approach for removing annual grasses in forage grasslands?
Although synthetic herbicides help control invasive species, they often negatively impact desirable native plant species. Furthermore, they typically require an annual application.
What micronutrient fertilizer helps promote perennial grasses for grazing animals?
Because NutraFix Micronutrient Fertilizer has proven time and again to support desirable native grasses ideal for foraging animals, it was applied to several test plots. In addition to its favorable track record, NutraFix is a granular fertilizer made from naturally occurring minerals that help:
- Reestablish high micronutrient fertility levels of later successional grasslands
- Improve the desirable species growth that outcompetes invasive species, such as cheatgrass
- Enhance soil infiltration and structure
- Encourage seed germination
- Offer a long-lasting and straightforward application
What were the results of applying NutraFix micronutrient fertilizer?
Over several years of monitoring, perennial grasses at Wild Horse Island increased in cover throughout the treated plots. Meanwhile, invasive grasses decreased. In comparison to the control plot, species diversity improved after the NutraFix Micronutrient Fertilizer application. One application had continually favorable results 4 years after fertilization. Evidence of grazing in the test plots suggests wildlife favors the fertilizer’s effect on forage quality.
Why Ferguson Waterworks?
Beyond our extensive soil health and reclamation inventory and timely turnarounds, Ferguson Waterworks is dedicated to your project. Whether that includes a simple order or long-term observation, we work alongside you. Contact your local expert today or send us a message for project assistance.
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