Mature cattle grazing in pastures with rapidly growing grass are sometimes afflicted with a disease called grass tetany. The cause is a lack of magnesium in the grass. Here's what to look for and how to treat it.
Candace Stoughton, Low Impact Development Specialist, gives a tour of the East Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District building and the many demonstration projects on the grounds that soak up stormwater
Q: Once or twice a summer I treat my lawn with weed & feed and spray on weed killer for lawns. Is it safe to use compost made from the lawn clippings? How long should I reasonably wait to use clippings for compost, and is it safe to use the compost in my veggie garden the following summer?
Q: I'm composting on site and wondering how concerned I should be about adding the grass clippings. Is there a weed killer that I could use that is safe to compost for a food garden? I’ve been looking into a vinegar/dish soap mix.
Q: My backyard got invaded by gophers (or someone who enjoys making holes). I'm worrying that I might injure myself in the holes. I have tried setting traps, but have been unsuccessful. I heard some snakes can kill gophers, but I'm also aware not to release invasive creatures. What do you recommend?
The OSU Dry Farming Project continues as the go-to resource for dry farming and model for participatory climate adaptation research as growers throughout the West continue to feel the impacts of drought and seek alternatives to unreliable summer irrigation.