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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Other views: Group goes too far with CEO pay cuts ... Pint-sized equines ... Letters to the editor: Oct. 27, 2015 ... Other views: Group goes too far with CEO pay cuts ... Pint-sized equines ... Letters to the editor: Oct. 27, 2015 ... SINCE YOU ASKED Since You Asked: Not all non-native seeds are treated equally Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Oct. 26, 2015 at 12:01 AM Posted Oct. 26, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News What gives, Mail Tribune? In Friday's edition, the B Section has an article about burning non-native grasses on the top of Lower Table Rock to make room for native grasses and flowers, then the C Section includes an article about the state giving away non-native grass seed to plant for wildlife. Aren't these competing interests? Is the state compounding problems for the feds? — Ben, Medford It didn't take Mail Tribune readers long to notice the apparent clash of ideas about native and non-native grasses in the same paper. That's the kind of head-scratcher that used to get readers saying that MT occasionally stands for "Muddy Tributary" because we seem to be mucking things up. But what it really comes down to, Ben, is that not all non-native grasses are equal. Some are good, and some are bad. For recap, the federal Bureau of Land Management on Thursday burned 20 acres atop Lower Table Rock to get rid of non-native medusahead rye that was choking out native grasses and flowers. Also, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife gave away the last of its 1.5 tons of non-native forage seed free to landowners looking to attract various forms of wildlife to their properties. One is a noxious weed and the other has value, says Vince Oredson, the ODFW wildlife biologist who was doling out the free seed (if you want some now, it's too late. No free seed until Oct. 1, 2016, Oredson says.). The medusahead has no forage value, while the various grasses in the giveaway seed are excellent nutritional sources, Oredson says. "There are some non-native plants that are very nutritious and pallatable and beneficial for a lot of reasons," he says. The list of no-no non-natives, called the noxious weed list, is published annually by the Oregon Department of Agriculture. The hang-up might be the assumption that all non-natives are not desired. If that were true, there would be no alfalfa fields, no corn and — gasp — no pinot noir grapes growing in the Rogue Valley. Send questions to “Since You Asked,” Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by email to [email protected] . To see a collection of columns, go to mailtribune.com/youasked . We’re sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Oct. 26, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501