Cheatgrass – Bromus tectorum

Cheatgrass is a winter annual in the grass family. It forms small tufts 8-24 inches tall with slender stems and flat leaf blades. It grows densely and invades rangelands, pastures, prairie fields, roadsides and eroded sites.

Cheatgrass will grow in almost any type of soil and will thrive most in precipitation climates of 6-27 inches of rain per year. This invasive plant is also known as: brome, drooping brome, thatch bromegrass, broncograss, military grass, downy chess, early chess, soft chess, and wild oats.

Many of the ecosystems that cheatgrass invades are substantially altered to the point where natural vegetation is no longer supported. Cheatgrass can maintain dominance for many years on sites where it has established itself. Note: When mature, the spikelets of break apart and the sharp-pointed areas can injure grazing animals by working themselves into the nose, eyes, ears or mouth.

CONTROL OF CHEATGRASS

Manual – You can reduce populations by fire, mowing, grazing, and tilliage.

Chemical – There are herbicides available but talk to a local Master Gardener or County Extension Agent to find out the best answer in your region.

Biological – Rabbits, mice and migratory grasshoppers will feed on cheatgrass. If infestation is heavy you’ll need to rely on a combination of the above methods for effective control.