Range Poisons - Pitchstone Waters (Page 7)

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Range Poisons

A collection of 171 posts

circle_ranch_defending_beef_feature

"Invasion Biology"

Defending Beef—The Case for Sustainable Meat Production

This is the best and easiest-to-understand book about why sustainable ranching is necessary for a healthy environment. It is a must-read for every landowner, rancher, wildlife manager, conservationist, wild horse advocate, hunter, wildlifer, and consumer. Defending Beef—The Case for Sustainable Meat Production. The Manifesto of an Environmental Lawyer and

CKI Studies Scaled Quail Decline

"Invasion Biology"

CKI Studies Scaled Quail Decline

This study of blue (scaled) quail decline, conducted by the Caesar Kleberg Institute, finds that brush removal, monocultures of non-native grasses and cattle removal cause blue quail numbers to fall. The prescriptions would seem obvious: graze cattle in ways that help plants, preserve brush, and get lots of weeds growing

Desert Restoration: Insights From the Human Body

"Invasion Biology"

Desert Restoration: Insights From the Human Body

Holistic thinkers rightly point out the health of wildlife and its habitat depends on the health of soil particularly its life-giving microorganisms. Here is a wonderful TED Talk discussing how microorganisms determine human health and behavior. Did you know there are 10X as many micro-organic cells in your body as

After Slow, Cold Trip Across Pacific, Sea Creatures Find Little Warmth

"Invasion Biology"

After Slow, Cold Trip Across Pacific, Sea Creatures Find Little Warmth

Every single day for uncounted millions of years, billions of pieces of flotsam – many bearing lifeforms – have drifted onto beaches across the world. Here is an example of the utterly futile, wasteful and presumptuous efforts to interrupt this natural evolutionary process – which is as old as life itself – by attacking

circle_ranch_thistle_keyline-yeoman

"Invasion Biology"

Restoring Desert Grasslands: Thistle and the Yeomans Keyline Plow

Thistle, also known as the “Tumbling Tumbleweed” is an iconic Western plant. Even though it is despised by many as an “invasive” “exotic”, it is probably the single best rescue plant for our declining desert grasslands. Better still, its seeds are provided for free by Mother Nature. Here is an

Amish Farmers Point the Way for Desert Grasslands Restoration

Amish Farmers Point the Way for Desert Grasslands Restoration

These lessons, from organic farming, are completely portable to desert grasslands restoration. NOTE: originally published by The Atlantic October 6, 2014 By studying the immune systems of plants, they’ve developed a technique that eliminates the need for chemicals. “In the Second World War,” Samuel Zook began, “my ancestors were

circle-ranch-out-here-video-feature

"Invasion Biology"

Restoring Desert Grasslands: A Video Comparison of Cattle, Water Harvesting and Keyline as a Safer, Cheaper and Faster Alternative to Spike

Here is a well-intentioned but ill-advised project for “restoration” of desert grasslands. The Rest of The Story… BLM is spending $30 million on 500,000 acres: $60 an acre. The objective is to kill all creosote and mesquite; thereafter, the staffers propose to use fire to “maintain the landscape.” Bad

Cows and Keyline: Restoring Desert Grasslands

"Invasion Biology"

Cows and Keyline: Restoring Desert Grasslands

This 17-minute video, “Cows and Keyline” discusses the use of cattle and the Yeomans Keyline plow as the quickest, cheapest, and safest way to restore desert grasslands. It also documents a project to repair a gully formed by an old road. Aerial photography provides graphic comparisons of the result of

Restoring Desert Grasslands: A New Book by Allan Savory

"Invasion Biology"

Restoring Desert Grasslands: A New Book by Allan Savory

It is hard to believe that the common sense contained in this little book has generated such anger and controversy. Holistic planned grazing uses domestic animals as replacements for the great wild herds that once roamed our grasslands. Beginning with a simple explanation of the physiological need of grasslands for

circle_ranch_game_camera_winter_2015_audad_diablo

"Invasion Biology"

Desert Restoration: Aoudad, Mule Deer and Summer Rain

These short videos were taken in August 2014 at “Sheep Tank,” which is on the south edge of the Circle Ranch, at an elevation of approximately 5,500 feet. Sheep Tank is in a long, broad valley, which is approximately 1,000 feet higher than our lowest desert, and 1,

circle-ranch-keyline-plow-feature

"Invasion Biology"

Restoring Desert Grasslands: Yeomans Keyline Subsoiling Results at the Circle Ranch, August 2014

Here is a cheap, fast, environmentally-friendly alternative to range poisoning with herbicides. When combined with holistic planned grazing of cattle, and a diverse population of wild animals, this practice leads to rapid conversion of subsoil to topsoil, increases soil fertility, improves and restores water function, and, is sustainable. Beginning in

Keyline Design Restoring Grasslands in High Deserts of Far-West Texas

Keyline Design Restoring Grasslands in High Deserts of Far-West Texas

This concise explanation of Keyline theory and practice was intended for California ranchers and farmers. We have copied it, and illustrated it with photos of Keyline practices that have been used at the Circle Ranch in far-West Texas. NOTE: Originally Published at AGWaterStewards.com Our thanks to its authors, and

Virus Plagues the Pork Industry, and Environmentalists

"Invasion Biology"

Virus Plagues the Pork Industry, and Environmentalists

The major killers of humanity throughout our recent history: smallpox, flu, tuberculosis, malaria, plague, measles and cholera, are infectious diseases that evolved from animal diseases. Because humans lived in close proximity to these confined animals, their diseases transferred to humans. Mad Cow Disease probably transferred to humans because cattle offal,

Bacon Preservative Tested as Feral Hog Poison

"Invasion Biology"

Bacon Preservative Tested as Feral Hog Poison

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Tests Wild Pig Poison Dispensers at Kerr Wildlife ‘Management’ Area NOTE: Post Originally appeared in San Antonio Express News on June 21, 2014 NEW ORLEANS — A preservative used to cure bacon is being tested as poison for the nation’s estimated 5 million feral hogs.

Invasive Species Eradications: "The Rest of the Story"

"Invasion Biology"

Invasive Species Eradications: "The Rest of the Story"

If you have bought into Big Wildlife’s ‘invasive species crisis,’ and believe that eradicating and poisoning of ‘invasive’ species of plants and wild animals are based on science, or benefit ecosystems including wildlife and habitat, you need to hear “The Rest of the Story.” David I. Theodoropoulos directs the

The Forgotten Quail Decline: Plight of the Scaled Quail

The Forgotten Quail Decline: Plight of the Scaled Quail

When it comes to the quail decline in Texas, the northern bobwhite often dominates the spotlight. Much of this focus probably is due to the long-standing tradition and relative ease of bobwhite hunting. Unfortunately, the bobwhite decline often overshadows the decline of another important quail species in Texas—the scaled

Another Danger Sign for Texas Wildlife: Monarch Numbers in Mexico Hit Record Low

Another Danger Sign for Texas Wildlife: Monarch Numbers in Mexico Hit Record Low

The existence of Monarch butterflies, shown in Mexico, is threatened, scientists say, by manmade changes in their main food source and protective habitat. MEXICO CITY — The stunning and little-understood annual migration of millions of Monarch butterflies to spend the winter in this country is in danger of disappearing, experts said

New Danger to Wildlife: USDA Gives Green Light to 2,4-D Resistant GM Crops

"Invasion Biology"

New Danger to Wildlife: USDA Gives Green Light to 2,4-D Resistant GM Crops

NOTE: this post originally appeared on SustainablePulse.com – January 3rd, 2014 The USDA has issued a draft statement essentially giving the green light to the marketing, sale and planting of GM corn and soybeans resistant to the hazardous herbicide 2,4-D. Dow Chemical’s GM corn will trigger a huge

Increasing Danger to Wildlife and Habitat: Biotech Industry Starts New Era of Pesticide-Promoting Agriculture

Increasing Danger to Wildlife and Habitat: Biotech Industry Starts New Era of Pesticide-Promoting Agriculture

NOTE: Post initially appeared on SustainablePulse.com on August 30, 2013. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has quietly approved the first of a new generation of GE crops resistant to more toxic herbicides. The first crop to pass the low regulatory bar was a Bayer soybean variety genetically engineered

Creosote Bush: An Unassuming But Ancient Form of Life All Around Us

"Invasion Biology"

Creosote Bush: An Unassuming But Ancient Form of Life All Around Us

Though sometimes regarded as a nuisance by residents of the arid Southwest, the creosote bush is a complex and fascinating plant – and creosote colonies constitute some of the oldest organisms known to inhabit the planet. The shrub-like plant’s scientific name is Larrea tridentata, and it is known by many

Planned Grazing and Keyline-Contour Subsoiling Restores Damaged Land at Circle Ranch, March 2009 – September 2013

Animal Development

Planned Grazing and Keyline-Contour Subsoiling Restores Damaged Land at Circle Ranch, March 2009 – September 2013

In the southwest corner of Circle Ranch in the deep, steppe-shrub desert, we have a stock tank which we call “Lobo” because it was the last place that the Mexican wolf was seen in Hudspeth County before being hunted out. When we bought the ranch, it was grazed around a