Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-4rdpn Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-05T05:29:58.775Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Economic Impact of Leafy Spurge (Euphorbia esula) in North Dakota

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 June 2017

F. Larry Leistritz
Affiliation:
Dep. Agric. Econom., North Dakota State Univ., Fargo, 58105. Thompson is Agric. Ext. Agent, Eau Claire, WI 54703
Flint Thompson
Affiliation:
Dep. Agric. Econom., North Dakota State Univ., Fargo, 58105. Thompson is Agric. Ext. Agent, Eau Claire, WI 54703
Jay A. Leitch
Affiliation:
Dep. Agric. Econom., North Dakota State Univ., Fargo, 58105. Thompson is Agric. Ext. Agent, Eau Claire, WI 54703

Abstract

Leafy spurge is a serious problem because of the speed with which it spreads and the difficulty of controlling it with available means. A rangeland economics model was developed to estimate the economic impacts of leafy spurge infestation on both ranchers and regional economies. A leafy spurge-induced carrying capacity reduction of about 580 000 animal unit months (AUMs), or enough for 77 000 cows, reduced ranchers' annual net income nearly $9 million. Ranchers did not spend another $14 million on input costs, which reduced regional business activity. The regional impacts are about $75 million in reduced business activity for all sectors. These impacts on rancher incomes and regional economies suggest the potential economic returns of leafy spurge control could be substantial.

Type
Special Topics
Copyright
Copyright © 1992 by the Weed Science Society of America 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Literature Cited

1. Carlson, R. B. and Littlefield, L. J. 1983. The potential for biological control of leafy spurge. N.D. Farm Res. 40:1415.Google Scholar
2. Chow, Paul N. P. 1984. Control of leafy spurge in pastures using dicamba and 2, 4-D, J. Range Manage. 37:159–62.Google Scholar
3. Coon, R. C., Leistritz, F. L., Hertsgaard, T. A., and Leholm, A. G. 1985. The North Dakota input-output model: A tool for analyzing economic linkages. Agric. Econ. Rep. No. 187. N.D. State Univ., Fargo. 54 pp.Google Scholar
4. Ethridge, D. E., Dahl, B. E., and Sosebee, R. E. 1984. Economic evaluation of chemical mesquite control using 2, 4, 5-T. J. Range Manage. 37:152–55.Google Scholar
5. Ethridge, D. E., Pettit, R. D., Neal, T. J., and Jones, V. E. 1987. Economic returns from treating sand shinnery oak with tebuthiuron in west Texas. J. Range Mange. 40:346–48.Google Scholar
6. Hein, D. G. 1988. Single and repetitive picloram treatments on leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula L.) and resulting changes in shoot density, canopy cover, forage production and utilization by cattle. PhD. Thesis. Univ. Wyo., Dep. Agron., Laramie.Google Scholar
7. Hughes, H., Aakre, D., Toman, N., and Boyles, S. 1989. Preparing and understanding a beef cow-calf enterprise budget. N.D. State Univ. Ext. Rep. No. EC-971. N.D. State Univ. Ext. Serv., Fargo. 23 pp.Google Scholar
8. Johnson, J. 1990. “Cash Rents Changed Little in 1989.” N.D. Farm Res. 47:2831.Google Scholar
9. Leistritz, F. L. 1972. Choosing optimum stocking rates for western North Dakota rangeland. Agric. Econ. Rep. No. 81. N.D. Agric. Exp. Stn., Fargo. 20 pp.Google Scholar
10. Leistritz, F. L. and Ekstrom, B. L. 1986. Interdependencies of Agriculture and Rural Communities: An Annotated Bibliography. Garland Publishing, New York. 200 pp.Google Scholar
11. Lym, R. G. and Kirby, D. R. 1987. Cattle foraging behavior in leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula)—infested rangeland. Weed Technol. 1:314318.Google Scholar
12. Lym, R. G. and Messersmith, C. G. 1985. Cost effectiveness of leafy spurge control during a 5-year management program. N.D. Farm Res. 42:79.Google Scholar
13. Lym, R. G. and Messersmith, C. G. 1986. Economic leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula L.) control and forage production in pasture and rangeland. Proc. West Soc. Weed Sci. 38:176.Google Scholar
14. Lym, R. G., Messersmith, C. G., and Peterson, D. E. 1988. Leafy spurge identification and control. N.D. State Univ. Ext. Rep. No. W-765 (Revised). N.D. State Univ. Ext. Serv., Fargo. 4 pp.Google Scholar
15. Messersmith, C. G. and Lym, R. G. 1983. Distribution and economic impacts of leafy spurge in North Dakota. N.D. Farm Res. 40:813.Google Scholar
16. Mortensen, T. L., Leistritz, F. L., Leitch, J. A., Coon, R. C., and Ekstrom, B. L. 1990. Socioeconomic impact of the conservation reserve program in North Dakota. Soc. Natural Resources 3:5361.Google Scholar
17. Reilly, W. and Kaufman, K. R. 1979. The social and economic impact of leafy spurge in Montana. Pages 2124 in Proc.: Leafy Spurge Symp., Amend, E. H., ed. N.D. State Univ., Fargo.Google Scholar
18. Shaver, J. C. 1977. North Dakota rangeland resources 1977. Page 118 in Society for Range Management/Old West Regional Range Program, Denver.Google Scholar
19. Stroh, R. K., Bangsund, D. A., and Leitch, J. A. 1990. Leafy spurge patch expansion formula. AE90001. N.D. State Univ., Fargo. 17 pp.Google Scholar
20. Thompson, F. 1990. Economic impact of leafy spurge on North Dakota grazing land. Master's Thesis. N.D. State Univ., Fargo. 91 pp.Google Scholar
21. U.S. Bureau of the Census. 1989, 1984, and 1981. From the 1987, 1982, and 1978 Census of Agriculture. Washington, DC.Google Scholar
22. USDA Soil Conservation Service. 1984. Guide to range sites. N.D. Tech. Guide Notice ND-35. Bismarck. 9 pp.Google Scholar