To many non-ranchers, yucca is a popular plant of the West. Also called soap weed, it evokes thoughts of cattle drives, wagon trains and scenic landscapes.

A multi-year drought and grazing have weakened native grasses and other plants on rangeland, but left yucca healthy, to the point it has take over some pastures, says Bruce Anderson, University of Nebraska forage specialist.

"While able to produce attractive flowers, dense stands of yucca can devastate grass production," Anderson says. "Yucca plants develop rapidly once established on drier rangeland sites. They produce a deep taproot that competes aggressively for the limited water in these soils. Since cattle rarely eat yucca during summer, grass production decreases while yucca thrives."

Herbicides such as Remedy, Tordon, or a mixture of Rangestar and Ally can control it, but only when each individual plant is sprayed directly. A general spraying of rangeland is too expensive, although small patches can and should be controlled before yucca expands, he recommends.

"When yucca covers too much land to spray, the only cost-effective way to reduce its impact is to winter graze," he says. "During winter, yucca often is the only green plant around. Cows actually will get down on their knees, lay their heads sideways on the ground and chew through the base of the plant to get to the moist, tender parts. After several consecutive winters of grazing, yucca stands can be reduced so grass again thrives during summer."