By Tammy Vantine
The Powder River County Weed District (PRCOWD) would like to share the following information.
Chemical prices are going up again this year and availability of some products are becoming scarce. PRCOWD will be selling chemical at the wholesale price plus 10%. Payment will be due at the time of pick up. Chemical prices will be available soon.
The Weed District has sprayers to loan out a week at a time. There are three 200-gallon sprayers and a UTV 75-gallon sprayer. No charge for the use of sprayers, we ask that you maintain the unit to an operational level and return cleaned, free of chemical, filled with fuel and oil.
The Weed District is encouraging the recycling of containers through the Pesticide Container Recycle Program. The containment area is located at the Weed Shop within the County Road Department compound, on the east side of the blue building. Containers must be rinsed, paper instruction booklet, and lids removed. Please keep these plastic containers out of the landfill and personal dump sites. Reminder - the County Road Department is closed on Fridays.
We have lost a true asset to our area weed control, with Todd Gardner retiring from commercial weed spraying. At this time, we do not have anyone to replace him and his crew. If anyone has an interest in a commercial weed business, please contact the Weed District or the Dept. of Ag in Helena.
Our drought situation has increased the need to rely on outside hay sources. This influx of hay has the potential to bring in new invasive weeds. Please be aware of potential infestations. Keep an eye on your hay corrals and feeding grounds. Also, landowners that border highways and high traffic areas should also watch for new weed starts.
BLM leased land in Powder River County - Landowners that have leases with the BLM and have invasive weeds, we are looking for a start area or areas to focus on for several years. Most invasive weeds take several years of treatment to eliminate. There are a few invasive weeds that have established themselves and will require continuous management to prevent spreading. These areas would be set up on a monitoring and treatment schedule.
Our state has lost the 24c exemption for the use of ZP (zinc phosphate) Rodent Bait AG oats (EPA Reg.#12455-17) in the year around treatment of prairie dogs. Stephen Vantassel with the MT Dept. of AG is requesting letters of support to petition the EPA to reinstate our 24c allowing for the use of ZP to treat prairie dogs. The Weed District office has a template letter available. The letters do need to include some specific information.
Pesticide Applicator continuing education classes - There is a list outside the Weed District office on the bulletin board. The classes are both for on-site and on-line sources. Applicators can also go on the MT Dept. of AG site for Pesticide Education. Web address: https://agr.mt.gov.
A gun raffle is underway to support the fight of Invasive Weeds. The cost of $25, for one or $100, for 5. The guns include: Ruger AR-15 5.56/223, Remington 700 SPS 6.5 Creedmor, Sig Sauer P365 9mm, ATI Cavalry Over/Under 12 Ga Shotgun, Kimber SSII 10mm, Bergara BMR .22LR with Nikon Rimfire 2-7 Scope, and Ruger 57 5.7x28 Pistol.
MT Dept. of AG task forces have been established for five invasive weeds that are located from the middle of the state to west side of the state. These task forces were created to prevent the spread to the east side of the state. If you locate or even think you located one of these, please call the following:
Dyer’s Woad – Amber Burch – Beaverhead Co. - 406-683-3790
Rush Skeleton Weed & Tansy Ragwort – Mike Bradeen – Lincoln Co – 406-283-2420
Blueweed – Kellieann Morris – Ravalli Co. – 406-777-5842
Palmer Amaranth – Tim Seipel – MSU – 406-994-4783
Landowners bordering BLM, US Forest Service, and County roads - If you would be interested in participating in an Invasive Weeds treatment day or days, please contact the Weed District.
Establish an Invasive Weed Management Plan for your land and area. Preserve the grass, native forbs, and shrubs. Map locations, document treatment area of infestation, and monitor progress. A management plan is another tool to help monitor the effectiveness of a treatment area. A management plan is also helpful when applying for grant funding.
Contact the Weed District for further information on the above bullets at 406-853-1023 or email: [email protected].
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