Weed control assistance applications up 35 percent
Fall Landowner Assistance Program applications are up 35 percent from last year and landowners have requested 70 more gallons of chemicals, Stark County Weed Control Board members said at their Thursday meeting at the Stark County Extension office.
- Stark County Weed Control Board
Fall Landowner Assistance Program applications are up 35 percent from last year and landowners have requested 70 more gallons of chemicals, Stark County Weed Control Board members said at their Thursday meeting at the Stark County Extension office.
“We got the word out and people responded,” said Kaye Jessen, Stark County Weed Control Board administrative assistant.
“Wet conditions have contributed to the amount of weeds,” weed officer Diane Allmendinger said.
“I think what happened this year was the grass came first and the leafy spurge came later — so a lot of people didn’t catch the problem, and by the time it became a problem everyone was busy haying,” Chairman Phillip Messer said.
The two herbicides sold are Milestone, used to kill Canada thistle and wormwood, and Plateau, used to kill leafy spurge.
“They are much better chemicals than we have used in the past,” Jessen said.
The Stark County Weed Control board will provide landowner assistance on a fifty-fifty cost share basis.
The total cost for the estimated 68 units of Plateau needed is $12,240. The county would pay $6,120.
One unit of Plateau is one gallon of chemical to five gallons of methane seed oil.
The total estimated cost of Milestone, which is used straight, is $36,960. The county would cover $18,480.
There is a 5 gallon minimum of Milestone for each landowner.
The estimated cost of fall applications for the county is $24,600
Plateau claims it is safe to use around trees, waterways and animals.
Certification is not required to purchase or apply either of these chemicals.
Both chemicals are also residual, meaning future applications are only required for new growth.
Neither chemicals have grazing restrictions. Cows may be let onto land immediately after application.
However, hay cannot be harvested from land treated with Plateau for seven days.
The Stark County Weed Control Board is also waiting to hear about the status of a yet to be named new Dow chemical. Dow claims it can kill Canada thistle, wormwood and leafy spurge.
“We hope to have it for the 2011 season,” Allmendinger said.
Spring Landowner Assistance Program application dates have not yet been set.
Tags: stark county weed control board, phillip messer, diane allmendinger, kay jessen, news
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