Free Workshops on Grassy Weeds Offered in Montana

Meetings Jan. 19 and 20 in Choteau, Galata and Fort Benton, Mont., will help grain growers limit economic loss due to cheatgrass and jointed goatgrass infestations.

"Cheatgrass has long been a problem not only in rangeland, but in grain fields across Montana," said Mark Major, Montana State University Extension agent in Teton County. "Jointed goatgrass is relatively new, and producers are looking for any control or management practices they can find."

The meetings are organized by MSU Extension agents from the Golden Triangle to give producers management tools that should help them limit financial loss due to these weeds.

The presenters for these workshops are both experts in their fields: Dan Ball, Oregon State University professor of weed science, and Frank Young, USDA agronomy researcher from Pullman, Wash. Both have done extensive research in weed management and control and will be prepared to discuss options for producers.

"The meetings will deal squarely with these issues," Major said.

On Jan. 19, the workshop will be in the Choteau Country Club at 7 p.m. Jan. 20, the program will be in the Galata Community Center at 1 p.m. and that evening in Fort Benton at the Agricultural Museum at 7 p.m

There will be no cost to attend these workshops, but producers are asked to contact the Extension offices in Teton, Toole and Chouteau counties to register. Call(406) 466-2491 in Teton County, (406) 424-8350 in Toole and (406) 622-3751 in Chouteau county for more information. There are two private pesticide credits available and two commercial pesticide credits available at these workshops.