Roger Samson
Publisher
Sustainable Farming
>Howdy, all--
>
>Sometimes you have to go back to square one in thinking about a
>problem, you know? And so: any of you have any use for giant
>ragweed (Ambrosia trifida)?
>
>The stuff is wacked out in our neck o Wisconsin. Nothing to sneeze
>at. (Sorry.) We got lots of rain here in Dane County as the small
>grains were maturing. The SC Wis. rye field I left two weeks ago
>(about 5-6 feet high) was beautifully shaded by it; gave it all a
>wonderful Edgar Rice Burroughs appearance, small comfort. I was
>talking to a SE Wis. small grain farmer today who said that in his
>part of the world, it's 15 feet tall and they are talking about
>forming a Giant Ragweed Support Group. In support of the farmers,
>that is; the critters shoreazhell don't need any help.
>
>Has anybody explored uses for the pre-flowering plant?--fiber?
>(Isn't it a forb? no woody tissue?) biomass? stomp out the juices
>and ferment it? If anybody has thoughts, shoot em my way.
>
>I personally look at the Latin name and remember that old British
>S.F. movie, /Night of the Triffids/. The Ambrosia part I can't say
>I understand, though I know quail and ring-necked pheasant like it.
>Hm. Plant rye, harvest quail.
>
>Hm.
>
>Yours in the service of the open mind.
>
>
>peace
>michele
>
><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
>Michele Gale-Sinex, communications manager
>Center for Integrated Ag Systems
>UW-Madison College of Ag and Life Sciences
>Voice: (608) 262-8018 FAX: (608) 265-3020
>http://www.wisc.edu/cias/
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>If you knew what life was worth, you
>would look for yours on earth. --Bob Marley
>
>