The Barnes and Griggs Counties Weed Boards along with DowElanco and the Barnes and Griggs County Extension Offices, held a tour on June 28, to bring awareness to the explosive potential of spotted knapweed in our area.  On the border of Griggs and Barnes Counties is a 50 acre area that has spotted knapweed that was introduced by a seed source.  At this time control efforts have limited the spread of this weed.  The main concern is the close proximity to Lake Ashtabula and the possible spread throughout the Sheyenne River Basin.  About 40 landowners  attended the tour and saw first hand what this weed looks like and how to identify it.  The following is a summary of the knapweed tour and leafy spurge tour.

Spotted Knapweed Tour

(click on photo's to enlarge)

    Rod Lym, Weed Specialist at NDSU, displays a spotted knapweed plant and explains how to identify it.  There are three types of knapweeds in ND.  They include spotted, diffuse and Russian.  To learn how to identify these, ask for the Extension bulletin W-1146 'Know Your Knapweeds' or use the NDSU web site http://www.ext.nodak.edu/extpubs/plantsci/weeds/w1146w.htm.  Rod warned landowners that spotted knapweed will control leafy spurge and any other plant.  The spotted knapweed roots will release a chemical that inhibits growth of other plants.  The difference with leafy spurge and spotted knapweed is when you control spurge, you will still have some grass left.  If you have a heavy spotted knapweed problem and control it, you will have to replant the area due to the loss of other plant species.  So the best control is to catch it early and keep it out.
    Rod also explained that the surrounding states have a major spotted knapweed problem and so far we have prevented a major invasion of this weed.  State estimates are at about 1400 acres so far.  But this weed has the potential to explode.  So try and control any areas that are found.  

    A picture of a field sample at the site.  For more information about spotted knapweed contact the NDSU Extension Publication W-842 'Spotted Knapweed'.   http://www.ext.nodak.edu/extpubs/plantsci/weeds/w842w.htm

    Rod Lym's graduate assistant displays another weed that could cause potential problems in North Dakota rangelands.  This is Star Thistle.  At this time, this weed is found in only a few areas of ND.  Kidder county is one area where it was introduced with CRP seed.  It is easily identified by the yellow flower with the long spiney bracts.

    Kevin Sedivec, NDSU Extension Range Specialist, talked on range management.  He urge producers to do a range evaluation to get a starting point on what your range or pasture can produce in order to determine the best management practices to be implemented.  The results of producers doing this evaluation and implementing new management practices have resulted in increased stocking rates on less land.  This results in a better use of resources and finances.  Range evaluations can be done by the NRCS and there are several cost share programs available for fencing and other range or pasture improvements. 

Leafy Spruge Flea Beetle Tour

    Rod Lym explains why leafy spurge beetles do not control all spurge.  He is holding a spurge plant and showing the depth of the lateral roots.  This is significant in spurge tolerance to spurge beetles.  The deeper the lateral root, the more mortality of the spurge beetle larvae.  These larvae need to feed on the lateral roots prior to moving into the larger crown area or tap root.  The best control is achieved when the lateral roots are less than two inches from the soil surface.  The use of leafy spurge flea beetles will not eliminate leafy spurge, but it is hoped that they will control enough to make leafy spurge part of the plant community rather than being the whole community.  There has been work for several years of using several different methods in combination to try control spurge with good success.  For more information on these methods ask for Extension Bulletin W-866 'Intergrated Management of Leafy Spurge' at http://www.ext.nodak.edu/extpubs/plantsci/weeds/w866w.htm

    Lunch followed the tour at Katie Olson Landing sponsored by DowElanco, Barnes and Griggs Counties Weed Boards.  

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E-mail: john.swenson@ndsu.edu
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