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How To "Quick Guides"

What Are Quick Guides?

SARE and state Extension services produce a variety of how-to publications, bulletins, and project reports.

Western SARE Quick Guides distill this information into a short, easy-to-digest format. They are intended as a supplement to these more extensive publications.

Selecting Cattle to Improve Grazing Distribution

Western SARE funded research focused on identifying genetic markers for cattle with desirable grazing patterns – cows that would travel farther from water, climb higher and graze in more rugged terrain. The genetics are complex and it will take more research to develop a breeding value to allow ranchers to select bulls and replacement heifers with those grazing tendencies. However, the research identified several strategies ranchers can implement immediately to promote more desirable grazing patterns within their herds.

Welcome in Barn Owls to Provide Rodent Control

For farmers, ranchers or land managers facing serious rodent problems, encouraging native barn owls to nest on their land can provide effective, ongoing biocontrol. Western SARE has funded multiple research projects looking at how to incorporate barn owls into a broader integrated pest management system. Here are some tips.

Preventing Soil Acidification in Montana (and Elsewhere)

Most agricultural soils in Montana are not naturally acidic. However, crop losses due to increasing soil acidification have now occurred in 24 Montana counties. Farming practices – specifically applying excess ammonium-based nitrogen fertilizers – can increase soil acidity relatively rapidly. In Idaho, for example, ag soils went from neutral to significantly acidic in about 25 years. This quick guide provides tips on how to prevent acidification.

Choosing Between Two Good Chicken Housing Systems

For people raising broiler chickens, different housing options are available. Moveable cages that allow chickens to flock, as they do naturally, and eat bugs from the grass can produce a healthier animal, cut feed costs and produce a tastier meat. Two such caging methods are the Hubbell Bubble and WARE system.

Growing Vegetables in Non- Circulating Hydroponic Beds

Growing vegetables hydroponically, such as bok choy or lettuce, can improve access to fresh produce in remote communities dependent on imported food. Additionally, the quality of locally grown produce can be higher than imported produce that can wilt during shipping.

Growing Mushrooms to Remediate Contaminated Soil

Mushrooms can bioremediate certain contaminated soils, although it’s not a simple or foolproof process. But for someone interested in mushrooms or already growing them, it can be worth the effort.