A Boise State University research project is putting sheep to work in a new fight against invasive cheatgrass on the Sawtooth National Forest near Hailey, Idaho — testing whether targeted livestock grazing can succeed where herbicide treatments and conventional restoration efforts have fallen short in protecting the state’s sagebrush rangelands.
Why Cheatgrass Is a Threat to Idaho’s Public Lands
Cheatgrass has become one of the most persistent ecological problems facing Idaho’s rangeland ecosystems. The fast-spreading annual grass completes its life cycle in a single year, crowding out native vegetation and leaving behind dry, highly flammable material that dramatically increases the risk and frequency of wildfires. Once established across a landscape, the plant is difficult to control at scale — previous efforts using herbicide application and restoration planting have not been able to keep pace with the full extent of the invasion across Idaho’s public lands.
The Boise State study aims to find a more practical and scalable answer. Researchers established 32 study plots within the Sawtooth National Forest and are collecting data across the summer on plant, soil, and broader ecosystem response variables to measure how targeted sheep grazing affects cheatgrass coverage and native vegetation recovery.
Why Sheep, Not Cattle
The research team selected sheep over cattle for a practical reason: sheep handle rugged, steep terrain far better, making them better suited to the uneven landscape where cheatgrass infestations often take hold. Sheep are also accompanied by herders and herding dogs, which allows the team to move animals with precision rather than leaving them to graze indiscriminately across a broad area.
Researcher Kelly explained that the approach goes well beyond simply releasing animals onto the land. “So instead of just putting them out in an area and hoping that they’ll graze the areas that we want, the herders can actually really direct them to the patches of cheatgrass,” Kelly said. No fencing is used in the project; instead, herders manage sheep movement by strategically positioning water troughs, guiding the animals toward the specific problem areas researchers want treated.
The project does not introduce new livestock to the forest. Sheep already graze in the Sawtooth National Forest during summer months as part of existing agricultural use. The research instead focuses on adjusting the timing and intensity of that grazing to concentrate pressure on cheatgrass. As Kelly put it, the goal is to “change the timing and intensity of their grazing to try to really focus on cheatgrass” rather than allowing general summer grazing to continue without a targeted ecological purpose.
Impact on Ada County Residents and Idaho Agriculture
The findings from this research carry implications well beyond the hillsides near Hailey. If the study confirms that directed sheep grazing can meaningfully reduce cheatgrass and encourage the recovery of sagebrush habitat, the methods could be scaled across the broader Sawtooth National Forest and potentially applied to other infested rangelands throughout Idaho and the Intermountain West.
For Idaho ranchers and agricultural operators, the prospect of a non-chemical, livestock-based approach to invasive species management is significant. It represents a potential tool that works within existing grazing operations rather than requiring separate, costly intervention programs. Reduced cheatgrass coverage also means lower wildfire risk — a concern that directly affects rural communities, agricultural property, and public land users across the Treasure Valley and surrounding region.
The broader effort to restore sagebrush ecosystems also supports wildlife habitat, water quality, and the long-term productivity of Idaho’s rangelands — priorities that matter deeply to the ranching families and outdoor recreation communities that depend on these lands.
Boise State’s applied research approach reflects the kind of practical, Idaho-grounded problem-solving that connects the university’s academic mission to real challenges facing the state. For more on Treasure Valley institutions making a regional impact, see coverage of how Idaho Bowl brings 71 schools to the Treasure Valley for a third annual middle school football showcase — another example of local institutions investing in Idaho communities.
What Comes Next
Data collection is ongoing through the summer field season across the 32 study plots in the Sawtooth National Forest. Researchers plan to analyze the plant, soil, and ecosystem data gathered during this period to assess the effectiveness of directed sheep grazing. If results support the approach, the project team intends to scale successful practices across the Sawtooth National Forest, with potential application at other cheatgrass-invaded sites. Idaho landowners and ranchers interested in rangeland management research can monitor updates through Boise State University’s research communications channels.