| Michael Ralphs |
|
Poisonous Plants Research Lab
1150 E 1400 N
N Logan, UT 84341
(435)752-2941
Education PhD 1983 Range Science (Grazing Management); Texas A&M University MS 1977 Range Economics; Utah State University BS 1973 Range Science; Utah State University
Sheep grazing cattle before larkspur
Sampling locoweed for population studies
Crooked calf grazing lupine
Cattle grazing broom snakeweed as a biological control
Research Projects
- Evaluate grazing behavior of cattle with respect to poisonous plants: larkspur, locoweed, lupine, broom snakeweed
- Target livestock grazing to control poisonous and noxious weeds
- Evaluate herbicide and biological controls of poisonous plants
- Assess ecology and population cycles of poisonous plants
- Determine environmental influences on toxin concentrations in plants
- Provide management recommendation to reduce risk of poisoning and enhance sufficient use of rangelands
Significant Accomplishments
- Developed herbicide control recommendations for larkspur, locoweed, and lupine
- Developed management recommendations to reduce risk of locoweed poisoning
- Developed biological tools to reduce risk of poisoning:
Larkspur mired to deter grazing of larkspur
Sheep grazing larkspur before cattle
Conditioned food aversion
Seed cool-season grasses to prevent reinvasion of loco and snakeweed and provide alternative feed
- Described snakeweed seedling ecology that drives its population outbreaks
