Noxious Weed Prevention

How can a little weed be “noxious”? When we refer to noxious weeds, we mean a whole group of non-native plants that were brought in either as ornamentals or accidentally, but then proved to be very aggressive and uncontrollable. Species like spotted knapweed and leafy spurge take over and choke out native plants and grasses. The non-natives disrupt wildlife habitat and food sources, too. They're resistant to most methods of battling them, but their spread can be curbed by awareness and the prudent use of a few effective tools—like sheep or even goats!

Sun West Ranch has implemented a weed-control program that uses a herd of 800 sheep. It's a non-toxic way to deal with the stubborn non-natives.

The Ranch also donates every year to the valley's weed-prevention fundraiser, and hosted the event in 2003. It's a fun and educational event that raises awareness of weed problems and informs people how they can participate in identifying and eradicating troublesome weeds. The proceeds help the Madison Valley Ranchlands Group locate and map spotted knapweed and other noxious weeds across the valley, and then partner with landowners and the county in controlling the most severe problems.