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Show b Farm & Ranch Edition April 2002 Controlling prairie dog problems on the farm ' dogs stay underground for the in forage production. Most first six weeks of life and ap- - ranchers still wont put out the USU Extension Spring winds are blowing- .- pear above ground in June, -- welcome mat for prairie dogs, Can prairie dogs be far behind? shortly before weaning. Prairie since their tunneling activities Like their eastern vcousin the dogs spend most of their time can increase erosion and the gruund hog, the appearance of underground during the hottest risk of injury to livestock. Like prairie dogs is a sure sign that part of the summer, but feed ground squirrels and other rospring has arrived in Castle actively above ground in Sep- dents, prairie dogs can cany Country. Landowners should tember and early October to Hkaases nieh m foe ptagiii. Landowners have several decide now whether control build up winter hit reserves. feed on measures are needed on their Prairie dogs the options when prairie dogs besame grasses and forbs that come too plentiful Prairie dogs property. Carbon and Emery Counties livestock enjoy. Prairie dogs dip do not like tall cover near their are home to the white-taile- d plants closer to the ground than colonies, so planting a tall crop also called the livestock, and graze annual or managing grazing to encourprairie dog, Gunnison or Zuni prairie dog. plants often enough to prevent age grass growth can limit They are dasely related to the them from going to seed. These colony size or cause the animals threatened Utah prairie dog, a grazing patterns discourage the to relocate. This is not an opprotected species which is growth of tall species and favor tion in most of Castle Country, found in western Utah. How- the growth of short grasses and since our fields are small and ever, Gunnison and Zuni prai- forbs near colonies. This shift are often next to open land. It in plant species has long been is legal to shoot prairie dogs in rie dogs are not listed as endanassumai to be bad for livestock. Carbon and Emery Counties, gered or threatened and can be controlled. However, recent studies show but this is not effective in large Prairie dogs are social ani- no difference in gains between colonies since the animals mals, living family groups that steers grazing pastures with quickly become wary of huare part of a larger colony. Af- prairie dogs and steers grazing mans. In parts of the midwest, ter h mating from October pastures where no prairie dogs landowners pay to have prairie through February, adults mate were present Apparently the dogs relocated by private conin March and April. Females high feed value of hew grass tractors who trap the animals give birth to me to six pups in sprouts near prairie dog colo- live and move them. This reApril or May. Young prairie nies made up for the reduction quires special equipment, con- By Dennis Worwood le-ga- Hy Custom Processing , Wholesale, Retail, WmPytogf;Miatkrm .Mftzlttfi Bacon sultation with state wildlife man-- mals ingest afull meal of treated agers and training in how to avoid disease. Once the animals are trapped, there is still the problem of where to put them. The most effective ways to reduce prairie dog numbers are poison bait and fumigation. Both methods require products drat can be purchased only by a licensed pesticide applicator. September is the best time to treat prairie dog colonies with poison bait, since the animals are consuming seeds to put cm winter fat Most grain baits consist of rolled or crimped oats that have been treated with zinc phosphide. The area d should be with untreated grain to get the animals used to die bait This is done by dropping about two tablespoons of grain on the mound near the burrow. Do not drop grain into the burrow itself. Once the animals are taking the grain, repeat die process with treated bait This is best done early in the morning, before prairie dogs are actively foraging. The goal is to have the ani-- bait pre-baite- Prairie dog colonies can also be fumigated with pellets or num phosphide. When using pellets, you will need leather gloves, a four foot long section of one and one half inch diameter pvc pipe, ashovel and some old newspapers. Always handle pellets with a gloved hand, since moisture on the palm is enough to start the release of gas. Places the pipe in the burrow and roll two pellets down the pipe. Withdraw the pipe and stuff a crumpled newspaper into the burrow. Cover the newspaper with soil to seal the burrow. Ground moisture causes the pellets to release gas. If the animals dig out of the burrow, it should be treated again. Owls, ferrets and other animals are sometimes found in prairie dog colonies. It may be a good klea to have wildlife officers walk through a colony before it is treated with bait or et to make sure that animals are not present. nts non-targ- 2 Randys Repair wW New & Used Farm Equipment I i m '.i .Av'i vGut'thVwaypti' - spareriapSfiH: & |