Downy brome is a weed so famous for stealing wheat yields that the pioneers dubbed it “cheatgrass,” when they first encountered it in the 19th century. It’s an apt nickname still used by the farmers who battle it on rangeland and cropland today.
In a recent trip to the northwestern U.S., GROW Outreach Specialist Claudio Rubione explored how farmers and scientists are currently managing cheatgrass/downy brome (Bromus tectorum), an invasive species from southwest Asia.
In the video below, hear from Montana State University Extension weed specialist Dr. Tim Seipel and Cloverland, Washington, farmer Jesse Greene as they explain the latest tricks to defeat this invasive weed species.
See more from GROW on herbicide-resistant weeds in Montana and farmers’ integrated weed management options for controlling them here.
Video and text by Claudio Rubione, GROW
