"Integrated crops/livestock operation Sustainable (low chemical use)
Beef Cattle, produced naturally, no hormones, no antibiotics, grass fed. We rotationally graze our cattle. We currently hand dig thistles, we mow weekly to cut back the sprouting of black locust trees. We have contemplated buying goats to manage our creek beds, and other weeds. We currently have thistles, quack grass, and a terrible problem with Cucklebur."




The Bucher Farm is a grass-based livestock farm

Production approach: Sustainable (low chemical use)
Rotations: Permanent pasture
Cover crops: None
IPM used: Intensive rotational grazing
Tillage: None, except when restoring pasture
Soil amendment program: Lime, potash, etc. as needed per annual soil test
Soil tests: Click HERE.

Field was visited 5/5/09. Soils were wet in low spots. Pasture was in good to excellent condition. Two types of thistle was observed on the farm. Bull thistles are being successfully controlled with hand-digging. A small patch of Canada thistle was observed on the creek bank near a former soybean field (pictured above). Joni will use this area for the project. The following plan was developed with Joni:

1. Till multiple times. A small rototiller will be used 2-3x starting as soon as conditions allow.

2. Plant sudan grass. Seed will be located and sudan grass will be planted in early June at a recommended rate of 55 lbs/acres in area tilled.

3. Mow sudan at 4-6'. Sudan grass will be mowed just as thistles are starting to flower. Sudan should be at least 4' tall.

4. Sudan will be mowed again. A second mowing will prevent any thistle from flowering and help build up a thick layer of biomass to smother thistle.

5. Sudan will be tilled under in Fall or following Spring.

2nd visit pics


Sudangrass planted along an edge of a pasture and fenced from cattle with electric fence.


Same sudangrass, about 24" high on 9/1/09.


Sudangrass growing fairly thick. No thistle observed.