Noxious Weed

Update
June 27, 2012 Inside:
Weed Identification Upcoming Weed Days Local Experts & Personnel New Invaders Dyers Woad battle Are you a weedie?

This publication is brought to southwest Montana annually by the Dillon Tribune and the advertisers in this publication.

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Noxious Weed Update 2012 - Dillon Tribune - June 27, 2012 - Page 2

Beaverhead County Weed Department never gives up

By Jack Eddie Beaverhead County Weed Department Hello from the Beaverhead County Weed District office. Another season is underway and it was very apparent that we had to change the way we do business due to the economic condition. We have looked at ways that we can accomplish the same work if not more with less. Through out the winter much thought was put into how we could accomplish this. We have decided to hire two less employees this will reduce our expenses for salaries, putting everyone on 4-wheelers to help save on our gas expense do to the ever rising price of fuel also we have combined two crews in one truck to work on the State and County roads. Dont get me wrong it not all gloom and dome we just decided that we need to tighten our belt like everyone else. During the winter we where very fortunate to receive six grants from the Montana Noxious Weed Trust Fund to help the private landowners within the following project areas: Centennial Valley, Beaverhead River, Big Hole River, Argenta, Grasshopper Valley, and the Dyer Woad project which is a state project. We also hope that we receive funding from the RAC. The office has submitted four proposals to help the following areas: Skiner Meadows, Medicine Lodge, Argenta. And we continue to look at funding opportunities. We would ask everyone if you have a chance to attend a plant ID that is covering NOXIOUS WEEDS please make time to attend if we are going to have a chance against these invaders we need everyone to be looking and helping. There are many new invaders that are just waiting for the opportunity to come and visit Beaverhead County. If you are not sure whether a plant might be a Noxious Weed please bring it into the Beaverhead County Weed District Office or the Extension Office. We do ask that you try and get as much of the plant as possible put it in a zip lock bag with a little water this makes it much easier to identify. Also if you are out enjoying our great outdoors and you think or you know of a patch of noxious weeds please let us no the location. We do not have enough time to cover the entire county. If you have a GPS it would be great to get a point so we can go right to the location. One other way you could help us is come to one of the spray days that have been scheduled and if you happen to have a boat and a rower we always need help on our big Beaverhead County Spray day July 14, 2012 to haul 4-H kids down the Beaverhead River to pull weeds. Last but not least we ask if you have any questions or concerns please call the Beaverhead County Weed District at 406683-3790.

Noxious Weed Update 2012 - Dillon Tribune - June 27, 2012 - Page 3

Pulling together

Beaverhead County Weed Department Supervisor Jack Eddie shows a volunteer crew samples of the weeds they will target prior to Weed Day 2010. J.P. Plutt photo

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Madison County Weed Department in thick of season

Here we are in the thick of the weed season again and it is time to let everyone know what is going on in our fair County. Crews are out and about and with the less then desirable weather that stymied us yet again this year, things are progressing. Crews are busy treating the various county roads, highway right-of-ways, airports, dumpsites, and other various sites throughout. Of course there are many coop work days that they participate in as well. You can find the various work day schedule in this publication. A few of the special projects going on in Madison County this year include the Ruby Town Cooperative project. This is a grant project that addresses noxious weed infestations on lands surrounding the old Ruby Town area, more specific the old slag piles from mining years ago. Another project is the Madison River Corridor work. This project encompasses approximately 50 feet on both sides of the Madison River. Unfortunately because of the limited funds that were awarded this year, the focus area for this project will This is also a good opportunity to remind the citizens of Madison County of the services that we offer to help the private landowners in their fight against noxious weeds. First and for-most is the County Cost-share Program. With the continuing mills supported by voters over the past 16 years, we offer a substantial reimbursement to landowners for their herbicide purchase. When this program was first implemented there was a $250.00 cap. This cap has been increased to $750.00. There are a few rules that are associated with this program though. First, you need to fill out a cost-share application and return it to the office. This is easily done by calling the office at (406)842-5595 and requesting one. Next you make your herbicide purchase, complete the claim sheet and send

Noxious Weed Update 2012 - Dillon Tribune - June 27, 2012 - Page 4

it in to the office with a copy of the receipt. Normally it will take up to two weeks to receive the reimbursement. You must remember that this program is designed for the treatment of noxious weeds and not nuisance weeds. Another program available through the county is the sprayer rental. Madison County has numerous 3 gallon back-packs for lending as well as 110 gallon sprayers for rental at $15.00 a day. In the next month we will also have a couple of 25 gallon sprayers available to rent out as well. You will need to call the office to check availability of the sprayers. There is a short lending agreement that needs to be completed at the time of check out. The staff at the Weed Board Office is also available to help landowners with any questions you may have in managing your noxious weeds. Please feel free to contact us or stop by the Alder Weed Shop

Madison County Weed Department Cooperative work days for 2012 season
June June June June June June June June June June 6 V.C. /N.C./ Heritage Coop (Heritage/ V.C./County) 11 Beaverhead R/Giem (Lessees/DNRC/County) 12 Glen Coop (Beaverhead/BLM/Landowners/County) 13 Rubytown ( Cooperators/County) 14 Burma (Beaverhead/BLM/County) 18 Robb/Ledford (Grazing assoc./FWP/County) 20 Melrose Coop (Landowners/Beaverhead/BLM/Silverbow/County) 23 RUBY WEED DAY (All) 25 North Meadow Creek (Landowners/MVRG/Madison Bio/FS/BLM/County) 27 South Boulder (Lessees/County) July 2 Toledo Coop (Mine/BLM/County) July 9 - 12 South Madison Work (Crews to stay at Elk Meadows) July 14 BEAVERHEAD WEED DAY July 19 Cataract Lake Coop (BLM/FS/County) July 24 Storey Ditch project (Landowners/BLM/County) July 25 Palisaids (BLM/County) July 26 McAtee (BLM/FWP/County) Aug. 2 Rubytown ( Cooperators/County) Sept. 5 V.C./N.C. Heritage Coop (Heritage/V.C./DNRC/County)

Beaverhead County Weed Days 2012

June 9 Wise River June 12 Glen June 13 Maiden Rock June 14 Burma Road June 16 Argenta June 19 Blacktail Ridge June 20 Melrose June 21 Big Sheep June 22 Dewey Cemetery June 23 Ruby Dam June 26 Lima Dam June 27 Lima June 28 Snowline June 30 BOR July 3 Wisdom July 10 BOR July 11 BVHD/Ravalli July 12 Medicine Lodge July 14 BVHD Weed Day July 17 Jones Creek July 18 Long Creek July 19 Montana/Idaho July 21 Wise River Pull July 28 Grasshopper Valley August 4 Argenta Aug. 11 Dyce Creek Aug. 14 Wisdom Aug. 18 BOR Sept. 5 Wise River Sept. 15 Argenta

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Eighth annual Weed Wackers Ball on Sept. 8

Noxious Weed Update 2012 - Dillon Tribune - June 27, 2012 - Page 5

Weed Whackers Ball drew 380 in 2011

By J.P. Plutt Dillon Tribune staff reprinted from Sept. 14, 2011 The community of Wise River and friends from far and wide came together Saturday evening to gather at the Wise River Community Center for food, fundraising, socializing and dancing. The volunteer spirit ran deep through the event known as the Weed Whackers Ball. The beneficiary of the effort is the Big Hole Watershed, a 180-mile long basin that is home to a strong agricultural, sportsman, and recreational economic sector. The Weed Committee, a subgroup of the Big Hole Watershed Committee, came up with the idea seven years ago intending to raise money to battle weeds both on the landscape and in the Big Hole River. "I tell you what, there is a lot of good people in our little committee," said Weed Committee Chairman Mark Kambich of Divide. "We know we can't eradicate them (weeds), but if we can stay on top of them that's great." Kambich, like many of the volunteers from the various sectors, jumped aboard the war on weeds with a positive attitude. Kambich recalls when Becky Kington of Twin Bridges came over to check out the work of the committee. At the time she was working with the Madison Valley Ranchlands group, and became involved when she witnessed the true grassroots effort by the volunteers. She eventually took on the Twin Bridges end of the committee. The group has committee members in Twin Bridges, Glen, Divide, Melrose, Wise River and Wisdom. They fight the good fight on weeds. They also have that positive attitude. "The one thing people kept telling us was no matter what, have fun," said Kambich of the underlying Weed Whackers Ball theme. "The first year was so-so and we raised probably half of what we're raising now. The word

Join the Big Hole Watershed Weed Group for their annual fundraising banquet, the Weed Whackers Ball, Saturday, September 8 at the Wise River Community Building. The Big Hole Watershed Weed Group is dedicated to promoting awareness and management of noxious weeds in the Big Hole River watershed. All funds from this event remain in the watershed to benefit our community-based noxious weed program. Doors open at 5 p.m. for the social hour and silent auction, followed by an open-pit BBQ at 6 p.m. featuring roasted pork, chicken, and beef, accompanied by salads, rolls and desserts. After dinner the live auction begins and is followed by live music. Weed Whackers Ball tickets are discounted until September 1. Ticket prices are: $30/couple; $20/individual; $10/child (under 12). After September 1, couple and individual ticket prices increase to $35 and $25 (children remain the same.) For more information or to order tickets: call (406) 832-3204 or log on to www. bhwc.org

Beaverhead County Weed Day July 14

A pair of queens

Marge Edsell, thie 2011 Queen of the Weed Whackers Ball, dons her crown following a presentation from the 2010 honoree Garth Haugland. J.P. Plutt photo
just got out. That's your best advertisement. Last year for instance, there were people I didnt even know. It gives the people a chance to visit and meet new people. Its just a good all around time. Over 380 people dined at the community center Saturday night and the gross total of money raised topped $20,000 according to event coordinator Kren Filipovich. The meal is one of the many highlights of the Weed Whackers Ball. Liz Jones of Wise River has been coordinating the menu since the balls inception. Im sort of the main cook, said Jones as she set out salads on the serving table. It gets bigger every year. I think people just like to come and visit with one another. Weve had them from as far away as Missoula, Continued to page 6

Beaverhead County Weed Day is filled with noxious weed education, treatment, food, and fun. Each participant leaves with a T-shirt, a full belly, maybe a prize or two, and the satisfaction of taking part in noxious weed control in Beaverhead County. Since 1994, over 100 people have participated each year in the Beaverhead County Weed Day. Join us July 14, 2012. Contact: Jack Eddie (406) 683-3790.

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Noxious Weed Management important for many reasons

Noxious weeds may be on the land or in the water. These so called, "invasive species" are a continuous threat to the quality of wildlife habitat, the state's fisheries, Montana's native plant species and to the aesthetic and recreational value of private and public lands. Montana Fish Wildlife & Parks is responsible for noxious weed management on about 610 sites across the state and on more than 364,000 acres. In collaboration with other state, federal, county and city entities, FWP uses the latest integrated noxious weed management methods to help protect Montanas public lands, including herbicide application, mechanical control, targeted grazing, and biological control insects. Success in controlling noxious weeds and preventing the introduction and spread of new species requires the participation of all Montanans. Please: Inspect, clean and dry vehicles and recreational gear before going to a new location, Learn to identify established and newly introduced noxious weed species, Report sightings of noxious weeds to a public land manager responsible for the area.

Noxious Weed Update 2012 - Dillon Tribune - June 27, 2012 - Page 6

Beaverhead County commerical applicators for 2012

J2 Weed Control Inc. - Shawn Jones , (406) 683-5426 or 660-2008; 109 Arabian Lane, Dillon, MT 59725. Dickens Weed Control Sean Dickens, (406) 925-1494, P.O. Box 344, Dillon, MT 59725 Maki Weed Control Todd Maki, (406) 683-5756 or 8650064, 3425 Hwy 91 North, Dillon, MT 59725 Pintler Weed Management Ray Tillman, (406) 832-3204 695 Lower Seymor Lake Road, Wise River, MT 59762 Road and Range LLC Pete Brown, (406) 276-3333, P.O. Box 88, Lima, MT 59739 Basic Biological Services LLC John Whittingham & Linda Walent, (406) 683-4198, 98 Sunset Lane, Dillon, MT 59725 S&H Weed Control Heath Hansen, (406) 596-2345, P.O. Box 3005, Butte, MT 59702

Having a Ball

Continued from page 5 prior to crowning this years royalty, Marge Edsell of the Madison County Weed Board. Haugland referred to Edsell as the Tall Buttercup (Edsell heads the Tall Buttercup Task Force). Edsells reply? Im going to kill you. The fun was played out in front of the large crowd, a true mix of every walk of life. The room was alit from the smiles. The live auction proceeded in an orderly fashion with auctioneers Mark Anderson and Gary Ordish working the crowd. At one point Ordish paused to inform the bidders and potential bidders that he had spent the previous 15 years in Las Vegas, Nevada. MARK BROWN If you advertised a Weed Whackers Ball there, you would get a different looking group than we have here this evening, he said. The auction concluded and chairs were cleared and the band began to play. Outside the community center, small groups of friends chatted away the evening. Inside, the crowd grew younger and the music louder. Kevin Brown, in his second year as executive director of the Big Hole Watershed Committee, reflected upon the success both of the Weed Whackers Ball and the work of the watershed committee. It all comes from the local community, the ranchers, the sportsmen, the agencies, the counties, he reasoned. It is the power of partnership and the power of volunteers that make it happen. In addition to weeds, the watershed committee focuses on wildlife and land use planning. The Big Hole Basin stretches through four counties Silver Bow, Deer Lodge, Madison and Beaverhead and the committee works with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Natural Resources Conservation Services, U.S. MARK KAMBICH Fish and Wildlife Services and the Montana Department on Natural Resource and Coservation. Our strength with any of our subgroups and committees is that power of partnerships, explained Brown. Were the group that brings them together, talks, looks at solutions and tries to identify long-term solutions. We try to work from mountaintop to mountaintop on the watershed and then try to break it down into those manageable pieces.

Philipsburg, Bozeman, Helena they just like to come. Jones stays busy with the main course lamb and beef and Ray and Richard Weaver barbecue the pork. Jones and Eddie Lou Stanchfield make the beans, Jones (200 wheat) and Lou Kirkpatrick (200 white) do the rolls, ladies from the community gather to make the salads at the fire hall and the deserts are potluck. Everybody from the community that comes brings a desert, so we have a delicious desert bar, explained Jones. Its really a wonderful thing because we have lots of weeds and were able to do a lot of spraying because of the Weed Whackers Ball. Throughout the evening, guests were wandering through a tent set-up, bidding on the 70 or 80 silent auction items. Then there is the meal and checking on the bids, and then...the coroLIZ JONES nation. Yes, there is a Weed Whackers Ball queen. The presentation is just before the live auction. Last year there was a little consternation in my house when I got home and said I was the queen of the Weed Whackers Ball, said Beaverhead County Commissioner Garth Haugland

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andformdensemonospecificstands.Itcanimpactconiferforestsand hasreducedbiomassofjuvenileDouglasfirtreesbyasmuchas96%.As Noxious Weed Update 2012 - Dillon Tribune - June 27, 2012 - Page 7 anitrogenfixer,itcanmodifynutrientlevels.Itisalsotoxictolivestock 1 MonthlyWeedPost duetothepresenceofquinolizidinealkaloids,butitisrarelygrazed. LivestockpoisoningshavebeenreportedinEurope,butareveryrarein April2011 theUnitedStates. Habitat:Scotchbroomprefersareaswithmildwintersandwarm summers,butitcantolerateverycoldconditionsaswell.ItprefersasoilpHoflessthan6.5,andis ScotchBroom rarelyfoundonlimestonederivedorcalcareoussoils.Itistypicallyfoundindisturbedareas especiallyalongroadsidesandonroadcuts,inpastures,openforests,gravelpits,andcultivated (Cytisusscoparius) fields,butisalsoknowntocolonizeundisturbedshrubandgrasslandsandopencanopyforests Identification:Amemberofthepeafamily locatedbelow4,000feetelevation.Itisextremelyshadetolerant,requiringaslittleas10%ambient (Fabaceae),Scotchbroomisaperennialdeciduous sunlightforseedlingestablishment,allowingforgerminationinshadedareasorunderforest shrubthatreproducesbyseed.Initiallyitgrows canopy. quiterapidly,reaching8feetinheightwithinthe Spread:InthePacificNorthwest,seediscommonly firsttwoyears,andupto13feetafter610years. spreadingravelandbyvehiclesusedforroad Thestemsaregreenwhenyoungandbecomewoody constructionassociatedwithtimberharvest.Locally, astheyage.Theyareangled(squareorwithedges) seedstypicallydontfallmorethan3feetfromthe andhavenospines.Leavesarealternateand parentplant.Ants,whichareattractedbyasubstance trifoliate,orcloverlike,exceptatthebranchtipswheretheyaresimple. exudedbytheseed,maydisperseseedupto15feetor Flowersarebrightyellow.Thefruitisaflattenedpod(resemblinga more. sugarsnappea)upto2incheslongandcontains59seeds.Immature ManagementPriorities:Scotchbroomislistedasa podsaregreen,andturnblackastheyage. Priority1BnoxiousweedinMontana.Because Impacts:Scotchbroomcanoutcompetespeciesforlightandnutrients limitedpopulationshavebeenreportedonlyin andformdensemonospecificstands.Itcanimpactconiferforestsand SandersandLincolnCounties,preventionisthetop hasreducedbiomassofjuvenileDouglasfirtreesbyasmuchas96%.As managementpriority.LearningtoidentifyScotch anitrogenfixer,itcanmodifynutrientlevels.Itisalsotoxictolivestock broomsoitcanbedetectedanderadicatedearlyis duetothepresenceofquinolizidinealkaloids,butitisrarelygrazed. critical.Plantsdontreproduceuntilthesecondyear,buttheycanthenproduceupto30,000seeds LivestockpoisoningshavebeenreportedinEurope,butareveryrarein thatmaylastmorethan30yearsinthesoil.Formoreinformationonthisplant,seeBiology, theUnitedStates. EcologyandManagementofScotchBroom,EB0202 Habitat:Scotchbroomprefersareaswithmildwintersandwarm http://msuextension.org/publications/AgandNaturalResources/EB0202.pdf summers,butitcantolerateverycoldconditionsaswell.ItprefersasoilpHoflessthan6.5,andis rarelyfoundonlimestonederivedorcalcareoussoils.Itistypicallyfoundindisturbedareas especiallyalongroadsidesandonroadcuts,inpastures,openforests,gravelpits,andcultivated fields,butisalsoknowntocolonizeundisturbedshrubandgrasslandsandopencanopyforests Supporting locatedbelow4,000feetelevation.Itisextremelyshadetolerant,requiringaslittleas10%ambient agriculture in this sunlightforseedlingestablishment,allowingforgerminationinshadedareasorunderforest valley since 1978 canopy. Spread:InthePacificNorthwest,seediscommonly spreadingravelandbyvehiclesusedforroad constructionassociatedwithtimberharvest.Locally, seedstypicallydontfallmorethan3feetfromthe Complete Landscaping parentplant.Ants,whichareattractedbyasubstance exudedbytheseed,maydisperseseedupto15feetor Offering you complete Excavation & Design more. concrete, sand & gravel ManagementPriorities:Scotchbroomislistedasa service for your farm, Ranchers: Priority1BnoxiousweedinMontana.Because ranch, business or home. Culverts limitedpopulationshavebeenreportedonlyin Ditch Cleaning Concrete Septic SandersandLincolnCounties,preventionisthetop Streamwork Tanks managementpriority.LearningtoidentifyScotch Willow Removal Feed Bunks broomsoitcanbedetectedanderadicatedearlyis Head Gates Tree Removal critical.Plantsdontreproduceuntilthesecondyear,buttheycanthenproduceupto30,000seeds Plus Numerous (small to extra large) thatmaylastmorethan30yearsinthesoil.Formoreinformationonthisplant,seeBiology, other pre-cast items EcologyandManagementofScotchBroom,EB0202 5 Brush Hog Mower Serving Beaverhead http://msuextension.org/publications/AgandNaturalResources/EB0202.pdf

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