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Item Evaluation of Alternative Methods for Leafy Spurge Control in the Northern Great Plains(North Dakota State University, 2018) Ellig, Tracy LynnLeafy spurge (Euphorbia esula L.) is a costly noxious weed to manage in the Northern Great Plains; it invades rangelands and displaces native and desirable vegetation. Our first objective was to test the recommended full rate and half rate of selected herbicides applied in September following a spring burn on a leafy spurge invaded plant community. Our second objective was to determine if raffinate (desugared beet molasses) applied to leafy spurge invaded rangeland would attract cattle to consume leafy spurge. The aminocyclopyrachlor with chlorosulfuron treatment had the best leafy spurge control at the full rate, with stem density reductions of 95 percent for both sites nine and twelve months after treatment. The salt block treatment had the best success at reducing leafy spurge stem density. Herbicides can be the most common and effective type of management; however, manipulating livestock to graze noxious weeds converts a weed into a useable forage.Item Impacts of Prescribed Fire and Grazing on Northern Great Plains Rangelands(North Dakota State University, 2018) Johnson, Haley Mae AnnPrescribed burning was utilized as a management tool on grasslands of the Northern Great Plains. We analyzed the use of fire to manipulate encroaching and unpalatable western snowberry (Symphoricarpos occidentalis), to promote browsing and improve nutritive quality. Fire was successful at altering the nutrient quality of western snowberry and selectivity of grazing livestock from plant specific to patch specific. Additionally, we evaluated the difference between burn season and frequency on plant community dynamics of an ungrazed tallgrass prairie invaded by Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis). Fire promoted native forb and grass species, stressing that native species are well adapted to the historical disturbance. Our research emphasizes the need for restored fire regimes in the Northern Great Plains to benefit numerous aspects of prairie ecosystem function, stability, services, and productivity.