Working together to strengthen and support noxious weed management efforts in Montana.
Montana State University Extension has published a great 12 page booklet with information that will allow you to identify the different Hawkweeds found in Montana.
This publication includes descriptions, photos showing the details of what to look for in the different lifestages of this plant.
It is free from MSU extension. Download a copy here today.
MontGuides are self-learning resource from Montana State University Extension.
“The hawkweeds are a very large genus of plants with approximately 25 species in North America. Hawkweeds are members of the sunflower family and are closely related to dandelion, chicory, prickly lettuce and sowthistle. Like some of their relatives, hawkweeds can rapidly colonize and dominate forest meadows, pastures and roadsides. In addition to reproducing by seeds, hawkweeds are capable of spreading by rhizomes, stolons and adventitious root buds. These methods of vegetative reproduction and a tolerance for sites with low productivity are probably responsible for the ability of these plants to quickly establish and dominate new areas. ”
Download the MontGuide including information on the origin, identification, impacts and information on management of the hawkweed.
On January 20th, the Billings Gazette featured an article about the BLM removing Russian Olive trees.
The trees were introduced as a fast-growing, hardy tree good for creating shelter belts, habitat and food for wildlife. Russian Olive tree is indigenous to Europe and Asia. It can quickly colonize in riparian areas and out compete native vegetation, interfere with natural plant succession and nutrient cycling. Read the full article about the Bureau of Land Managements efforts.
The Wheatland County Weed District, under the direction of Gary Olsen has recently identified, collected, pressed, labeled and mounted eight new noxious weeds for each county and reservation in the state of Montana.
Marilyn and Gary Olsen show their noxious weed collection. The couple collects weeds each summer for county displays so producers can identify the ones that plague their farms and ranches.
Montana State University provides a great collection of extension publications. Many of these are available online, and provide a great way to learn more about some of the noxious weeds in Montana.
Cheatgrass is being added to our Priority 3 List. Learn all about this invader in in a Montguide devoted to cheatgrass.
Wrong time, wrong place. Accidentally and on purpose, America is sowing seeds — literal seeds — of destruction. These are the conclusions of a soon-to-be-published book examining weeds in the United States.
“The invasion of noxious weeds has created a level of destruction to America’s environment and economy that is matched only by the damage caused by floods, earthquakes, wildfire, hurricanes and mudslides. Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt said, “This is truly an explosion in slow motion by opportunistic alien species with few if any natural enemies.” (more…)
An Act to require the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a program to provide assistance to eligible weed management entities to control or eradicate noxious weeds on public and private land.
Fed Nox Weed Control Erad Act – Oct. 30, 2004
by Marilyn Marler
Abstract—I conducted a survey of wilderness areas to provide an overview of plant invasions in the National Wilderness Preservation System. Fifteen per cent of responding mangers reported that exotic plants were among their top 10 management concerns, either because they are actively dealing with control of exotic pest plants or have prioritized prevention of their establishment. Seventy per cent of responding wilderness areas do not monitor or inventory for exotic plants. The majority of respondents reported that exotic plants have not impacted their areas, so it is important to emphasize prevention and early detection of exotic plant establishment. Responses varied greatly among regions, with the highest priority being given to exotic plants by agencies in the California Mediterranean region and the Rocky Mountain montane region. The National Park Service was most likely to monitor or inventory for exotic plants. The greatest needs for most areas are increased funding, education and training to prevent further establishment of exotic plants.
Steven A Hirsch and Jay A Leitch
The economic impact of thee invasive, exotic weeds–diffuse, spotted, and Russian knapweed (Centaurea diffusa, C. maculosa, and Acroptilon repens)–on Montana’s economy was estimated using a procedure developed for another invasive weed species. Published data and that from a survey of county weed boards were used to estimate direct negative impacts of over $14 million annually due to infestation of over 2 million acres of rangeland and wildland. This amounts to about $10.63 on each infested grazing land acrea nd $3.95 on each infested wildland acre. Direct plus secondary economic impacts, estimated using an input-output model, are about $42 million annually,, which could support over 500 jobs in the state’s economy. This first approximation suggests the knapweed infestation problem in Montana deserves attention, although more work could be done to refine these estimates and to allow estimation of he impacts at sub-state levels.