Locoweeds can be temporarily controlled by
physically pulling or burning the plants in situ;
however, because it has a large tap root, burning
does not completely kill the plant (Fan et al. 2006).
Herbicides such as 2,4-D can be used over larger
areas to control locoweeds; however, this is costly
and it will kill other desirable forage plants. There
are no herbicides that specifically target Oxytropis or
Astragalus species (Wu et al. 2001). Herbicides may
also contaminate the air and water, thereby causing
environmental concerns, or plants may develop
resistance. Moreover, some herbicides may kill only
the top growth, allowing regeneration from the roots
as well as germination of seed reserves in the soil
(Fan et al. 2006). Seed reserves in the soil are
abundant and seedlings will re-establish stands of
locoweed when environmental conditions permit.
Long-term control must be multidimensional and
should include range practices to manage
competitive grasses to prevent reinvasion once
locoweeds are suppressed.
In China, various methods of treatment have
been utilized by livestock producers (Zhao et al.
2005). Livestock should first be removed from
locoweed-infested sites. Furthermore, Zhao et al.
(1999) reported that the mixture of vinegar residue
and coarse flour could detoxify the sheep poisoned
with O. glabra (figure 2). Chang et al. (2007)
reported that “Fengcaolin bolus” could relieve
suffering in sheep poisoned with O. ochrocephala.
Toxicity and the timing when symptoms of toxicity
became evident appeared to be delayed, but it did
not prevent injury of the tissues and organs (liver,