What is the Noxious Weed Seed Free Forage Program?
The purpose of the Montana Noxious Weed Seed Free Forage (NWSFF) Program is to provide forage products, such as hay, cubes, pellets, grain concentrates, or straw that is free of noxious weed seeds.

Forage products may be certified as free of Montana State Noxious Weed seeds or can be certified as free of Regional Noxious Weeds. The North American Weed Management Association (NAWMA) Noxious Weed Free Forage program (link to the attached weedseedfreeforagebrochure.pdf) involves a number of western states and one Canadian Province. This regional program provides the opportunity to transport forage products across county, state, and national boundaries where noxious weed restrictions are in effect. This program is also a preventive measure to reduce the introduction of regional "designated" noxious weeds onto private, county, state, and federal lands.

How do I find Noxious Weed Seed Free Forage Producers in my area?
Click on the NWSFF Producers List to download the County by County list of Noxious Weed Seed Free Forage Producers.

How do I become a Noxious Weed Seed Free Forage Producer in Missoula County?

You must be producing forage in Missoula County.

Annual applications are due by May 1st

You must obtain an application for a Noxious Weed Seed Free Forage inspection through Bill Otten.

A field inspection must be scheduled within 7 days prior to harvest of the forage crop with Bill Otten.

Each crop must be certified by a field inspection.

A producer may certify all or a portion of a field. The portion of a field to be certified must be clearly identified prior to the field inspection.

An inspection fee of $2.50 per acre or a minimum fee of $25.00 which ever is greater will be charged for each field inspection.

Stack yards must be certified through Bill Otten.

All harvest and handling equipment must be free of any potential contamination prior to harvest.

All certified forage products must be identified by department approved tags or twine. Tags or twine are available through Bill Otten

For more information download the
Noxious Weed Seed Free Forage Program Administrative Rules 4.5.302 to 4.5.316.

To become a Noxious Weed Seed Free Producer in Missoula County, please contact Bill Otten at 406.258.4218.

Produce Forage outside of Missoula County?

To become a Noxious Weed Seed Forage Producer outside of Missoula County, please contact Tonda Moon, NWSFF Program Specialist, at 406.444.7819.

Additional Certification Programs

To certify hay pellets, grain pellets, grain concentrates or processed grain contact Tonda Moon, NWSFF Program Specialist at 406.444.7819.