A RESOURCE TO PROMOTE HEALTHY LANDS AND HEALTHY COMMUNITIES
FALL 2018 | ISSUE NO. 25
Healthy Acres IN THIS ISSUE
3 Taking a Bite Out of Fall
Tips to enjoy the bounty of apples.
Fall in Love with Your Garden’s Seasonal Interest
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by Kaley Hensel- Horticulture Agent
s the nights grow colder and the days shorter, we find ourselves wrapping up another bountiful summer season as we wrap ourselves up in our game day blankets. We know that the harsh reality of the cold season ahead is inevitable, for both ourselves and our gardens, but don’t let the colder weather discourage you from enjoying your landscape! You can keep things interesting this fall and winter by incorporating striking plants with seasonal interest into your garden and letting perennial seed pods and grasses stand tall throughout the changing seasons. The term “seasonal interest” refers to the color, texture, movement, structure, and shape that strange seedheads and pods, ripe berries and fruit, and fiery foliage provide. Not all perennials, however, retain their beauty as we dip into the downright cold. Some collapse into mush at the first hard frost or become untidy as harsh winter winds blow them around. You can clear these species away and mulch them over to protect the exposed crowns from low temperatures while leaving room for other plants that more gracefully embrace the changing seasons. When incorporating seasonal interest, a gardener does most of the work in the spring and summer, but fall is an excellent time to assess your garden and its changing appearance. As you survey areas in your garden that could use a little more pizzazz, you can visit other gardens around town to note and take photos of plants that appeal to you among the sea of senesce. Going to the garden center in the spring can be overwhelming with options for brightly colored flora and fragrant flowers, but now, while our gardening enthusiasm remains high, we can incorporate new plants for the seasonal changes ahead. Some of my favorite cont. on page 2 Above: seasonal interest is achieved through color, texture, structure and shape provided by an assortment of plants in this lovely fall garden. Right: leave seed heads, stalks and ornamental grasses standing during the winter for an attractive winter display.
4 Fall Treatments for Noxious Weeds Advice for effective control on species such as Canada thistle, spotted knapweed, Russian knapweed and leafy spurge.
6 Field Bindweed Biocontrol Update
Report on research to battle this invasive plant with a stem and root mining fly and clear-wing moths.
7 Partnerships: The Path to Preventing Aquatic Invasive Species
Through these partnerships so much work has been accomplished.
cont. from page1
LUNCH AND LEARN-2018/2019 Classes held in the Missoula County Extension Office Conference Room. 2825 Santa Fe Court / 12:00-1:00 P.M. / $12.00 per class / all 9 for $85.00
Take a stress-free lunch break and learn something new! Thursdays
A goldfinch enjoys the seeds of a purple coneflower left standing after blooming.
specimens include the hardy hydrangea, Harry Lauder’s walking stick, red- and yellow-stem-med dogwood, river birch, and winterberry—all impressive plants that serve as focuses of interest in a garden and that really show their stuff during the chilly months in our climate. There are additionally numerous perennials that thrive and bloom in cooler weather, such as aster, chrysanthemum, and sedum to name a few. Grasses, like blue oat grass, Elijah blue fescue, and Northern sea oats, create beauty though movement and structure in the garden even after they are covered in frost. Other perennials with striking seasonal interest include coral bells, ornamental onion, perennial spirea, pinks, sea holly, which provide additional color, texture, and shape. Cold-hardy annuals, such as cabbage, kale, and pansies—which look marvelous when seasonally displayed together—can liven up the garden as well. By leaving things a little more on the wild side, your seedheads, pods, and stems can also provide food and shelter for our darling garden guests. Finches love snacking on oil-rich purple and white cone-flower seeds while perched atop their rounded heads. Another favorite of seedeating songbirds is the black-eyed Susan. And native bees will be thankful that they have places to hide, nest, and raise their next generation within the dried stems of your garden remains. So don’t cut back all those perennials just yet, especially the ornamental grasses! Instead, wait until late winter or early spring to give the garden a trim, leaving about six inches of plant material above the soil surface. By leaving these grasses and seed pods standing to dry naturally in the garden, you can enjoy watching the frosts, snow, and birds atop your plants throughout these cooler months. You may even have to rethink any ideas that you have about winter being the season of dormancy.
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HEALTHY ACRES • fall 2018
Oct. 18 Apples, Apples, and More Apples! We’ll talk about apple varieties; planting and growing tips. We’ll make rustic apple tarts for your baking enjoyment. Nov. 15
It’s the Great Pumpkin! What makes pumpkins so good for you? Which varieties grow best in Missoula? Seasonal favorite - Pumpkin Apple Soup
Dec. 13 Home-Made Christmas Rosehip and Champagne Blush Jellies - Great for holiday gift-giving! Jan. TBA The Bees Knees and the Honey Too! Learn from a bee expert about the life of bees. Great honey tips and products! Feb. 14
My Heart Beats for Beets For a Valentines’ delight: Two beet recipes to make and take home. • Roasted Beets with Chills, Ginger, Yogurt and Indian Spices • Easy Mediterranean Beet Salad
March 14 What Are Haskap Berries? Get the scoop on these healthy berries. Grown locally at the MSU Ag Experiment Station in Corvallis. Taste this new super berry! May 16 Edible Flowers Easy to grow, beautiful to look at, and tasty too. Discover a new gardening passion and culinary delight. Saturday Classes-2019 March 9 Fermenting with Kaley Hensel - Extension Horticulturist and Kelly Moore - FCS St. Patrick’s Day Cabbage - fermented this time. Get the fermenting basics to put some zing into your meals. April 13
Seeds to Salads with Sandy Perrin - Missoula County Plant Specialist and Kelly Moore - FCS Get your “salad on”! In this popular class, learn about the best soil, seeds, and conditions for growing the tastiest salad in the land! Top it off with your own vinaigrette, and you’ve got a masterpiece! Materials included.
Register on-line: www.missoulaeduplace.org e-mail: kmoore@montana.edu Call: 406-258-4206
FAMILY & CONSUMER SCIENCES
Taking a Bite Out of Fall Kelly Moore- Missoula County Family and Consumer Sciences
Eating Healthy Should Be Fun!
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he Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) encourages healthy eating habits from an early age. As parents, there are many great skills and techniques you can learn to encourage and promote healthy eating behaviors in your children. Most importantly, parents and caregivers decide what foods are offered and when and where they are eaten. The child decides which offered foods to eat and how much he or she is going to eat. Do’s • Offer a new food along with a familiar food. • Provide regular meals and snacks, offering a variety of textures, smells and colors. • Let your child see you tasting and enjoying new foods. • Allow your child to cook with you! Don’ts • Don’t force a child to eat, as food should never be a punishment. • Try avoiding labeling foods as “foods my child likes” and “foods my child doesn’t like.” • Turn off the TV, radio, computer, and phones. It might feel exhausting but keep trying to introduce new foods! It may take up to 12 times before your child accepts a new food. Remember, kids love to eat what they help to cook! Make preparing the meal a family affair. If you would like to work on your cooking skills or learn more tips for feeding your children, please contact the Missoula EFNEP office at (406) 258-4207 or visit us online at buyeatlivebetter.org Snack Ideas: • Building Blocks: Cut cheese and cooked meat into cubes or small pieces. Add cucumbers, tomatoes, or other vegetables you have on hand. Have children connect cubes with toothpicks to build their own creation. • Log Building: Dip stick pretzels into peanut butter and construct a house or piece of abstract art. • Cold Monkeys: Cut bananas into bite size pieces. Spear with toothpick and dip in low-fat yogurt or spread with peanut butter. Roll in whole grain cereal and freeze until hard. • Peanut Butter Swirls: Spread peanut butter on a whole wheat tortilla. Place a banana in the middle. Roll up and slice. • Banana “Split”: Make a banana split with banana, low-fat yogurt, and whole grain cereal. • Frozen Grapes! Wash and freeze grapes in single serve baggies for a cool treat on a hot day.
Fall arrives in September and so does the desire to eat as many of every variety of apples as possible before the extreme winter temperatures arrive. There are approximately 7,500 apple varieties grown around the world; 100 in the U. S. alone. Whether you are an apple historian or an apple pie expert, everyone has some connection to apples. Adam and Eve, and Johnny Appleseed had apple stories to tell. The favorite apple varieties according to Thrillist.com are: 1. Braeburn, 2. Cameo, 3. Cortland, 4. Granny Smith, 5. Honey Crisp, 6. Fuji, 7. Jonagold, 8. Cripps pink …Red Delicious and Golden Delicious are way down the line, by the way. If you will be picking apples and a bushel and a peck are required — a peck weighs 10.5 lbs. and a bushel about 42 lbs., that makes about 24 quarts of applesauce. Home canning and drying are excellent preservation methods for apples. Research-based and tested recipes are available on the following website: http://nchfp.uga.edu. Home-canned apple pie filling (available on the nchfp site) makes that Thanksgiving pie a no-brainer! Making apple cider at home requires using a tested recipe and practicing safe food handling practices. Extension sites always provide good research-based information and recipes. We’ve all heard the saying “one bad apple don’t spoil the whole bunch”. Sometimes it does! Apples give off naturally occurring ethylene gas which can speed up the ripening process of other fruits and vegetables when they are stored together. The beautifully arranged fruit on your table — apples, bananas, and oranges — may actually be deteriorating prematurely due to the combination. Apples produce ethylene gas which can cause faster ripening in other fruits and vegetables. It is best to store apples separately in a cool area for long term storage due to their high sugar content. Join us for the October 18 Lunch and Learn, “Apples, Apples, and More Apples” at the Missoula County Extension Office where more information will be available on apple varieties, growing apples, pruning, apple tree diseases, and the best apples to bake with. Register online at www.missoulaeduplace.org or by calling 258-4206.
fall 2018 • HEALTHY ACRES
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4-H
Busy Summer of Competitions, and Big Winning for Missoula 4-H Members
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hile summer is a time of rest and relaxation for many, 4-H members across Montana are busy leading 4-H Camps, participating in state leadership events and competitions at 4-H Congress, exhibiting at county fairs, competing in state and national 4-H shooting sports events, and vying for ribbons and buckles at the State 4-H Horse Show. Missoula 4-H members had a tremendous summer of winning in 2018. Below are the details from three events: Montana 4-H Congress, the National 4-H Western Heritage Project Competition and the State 4-H Horse Show.
Kylee Billingsley (left) receives her State Officer jacket from Schuyler Germann.
Montana 4-H Congress In early July, 19 teens from Missoula attended the week-long Montana 4-H Congress on the MSU campus in Bozeman. They attended leadership workshops, competed in state contests, and ran for state office. Kylee Billingsley, from the Frenchtown Valley 4-H Club, was selected as one of only 5 State 4-H Ambassador Officers. She will represent Montana youth on the state 4-H Leaders Council. McKenna Quirk from the Two Rivers 4-H Club won first place in the state Public Speaking Contest. She will go on to compete in public speaking at the Western National Round-up in Denver this coming January. Missoula’s team of Max Andres (Two Rivers 4-H Club), Logan Turner (Blue Mountain 4-H Club), and Trevor and Zac Zimmerman (Mullan Trail Mustangs 4-H Club) won the state Gavel Games contest, displaying their skills in Parliamentary Procedure. They will also compete in the national contest in Denver this coming January. Montana 4-H Foundation Scholarships In addition to state contests winners, Zac Zimmerman and Gabby Sexton (Seeley Lake 4-H Club) were the recipients of Montana 4-H Foundation Scholarships. Zac, attending MSU in Bozeman to study Agri-Business received a $750 scholarship sponsored by the Montana Agricultural Business Association and the Montana Grain Elevator Association. Gabby, attending MSU in Bozeman to study Agricultural Education, received a $1000 scholarship sponsored by Murdoch’s Ranch & Home Supply.
McKenna Quirk (right) awarded 1st Place in Public Speaking Contest.
National 4-H Western Heritage Project In early August, six teens from Missoula attended the National 4-H Western Heritage Project Conference and Individual Shoot in Deer Lodge, Montana. There, they attended workshops to learn more about the history of the American west between 1860 and 1900, and they competed against 4-H members from Colorado, California, Missouri, Kansas and Montana. Of the 17 award categories, Missoula County Placed in 12 at The National level and 13 at the State level. More than any other county or club in the nation or state! Results for the Missoula competitors are below: Senior Division 1st Place Men’s Living History Persona – Parker Hall 3rd Place Over All Top Hand – Parker Hall 4th Place Historical Knowledge – Parker Hall 4th Place Women’s Living History Persona – Kabrina Fitch 4th Place Rimfire Shooting – Parker Hall
Zac Zimmerman (right) is recipient of Montana 4-H Foundation Scholarships.
Intermediate Division 4th Place Over All Top Hand – Jacob Fitch 4th Place Historical Knowledge – Jacob Fitch 4th Place Rimfire Shooting – Jacob Fitch 5th Place Men’s Living History Persona – Jacob Fitch Junior Division 2nd Place Rimfire Shooting – Josiah Fitch 3rd Place Over All Top Hand – Josiah Fitch 5th Place Men’s Living History Persona – Josiah Fitch
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HEALTHY ACRES • fall 2018
Pictured second from left: Zac and Trevor Zimmerman, Max Andres, and Logan Turner win state Gavel Games contest.
Photos by BackcountryMedia.com
National Awards
FAMILY & CONSUMER SCIENCES
Montana Awards Senior Division 1st Place Women’s Living History Persona – Kabrina Fitch 1st Place Men’s Living History Persona – Parker Hall 1st Place Rimfire Shooting – Parker Hall 1st Place All Over Top Hand – Parker Hall 2nd Place Historical Knowledge – Parker Hall 4th Place Over All Top Hand – Kabrina Fitch 5th Place Historical Knowledge – Kabrina Fitch Intermediate Division 2nd Place Historical Knowledge – Jacob Fitch 2nd Men’s Living History Persona – Jacob Fitch 2nd Over All Top Hand– Jacob Fitch 2nd Rimfire Shooting– Jacob Fitch 3rd Place Historical Knowledge – Aaron Prati 3rd Men’s Living History Persona – Aaron Prati 4th Over All Top Hand – Aaron Prati 5th Rimfire Shooting – Aaron Prati Junior Division 2nd Rimfire Shooting – Josiah Fitch 2nd Over All Top Hand – Josiah Fitch 3rd Place Historical Knowledge – Josiah Fitch 4th Men’s Living History Persona – Josiah Fitch
Six teens from Missoula attended the National 4-H Western Heritage Project Conference and Individual Shoot in Deer Lodge, Montana. From L-R, Jacob Fitch, Josiah Fitch, Aaron Prati, Olivia Prati, Parker Hall, Kabrina Fitch.
State 4-H Horse Show In mid-September, five Missoula 4-H members competed against riders from 20 different Montana Counties in the two-weekend State 4-H Horse Show. The first weekend, Claire and Cassidy Bagnell from the Frenchtown Valley 4-H Club competed in the Montana State 4-H Working Ranch Horse Finals, held in Great Falls. The next weekend, Cassie Miller and Hailey Arthur (Frenchtown Valley 4-H Club) and McKenna Quirk (Two Rivers 4-H Club) competed in the remaining State 4-H Horse Show classes in Livingston, Montana. Below are the results from Missoula’s riders: State 4-H Working Ranch Horse Finals, Great Falls 1st Place Overall Versatility, Senior – Claire Bagnell 4th Place Overall Versatility, Intermediate – Cassidy Bagnell State 4-H Horse Show, Livingston
Cassidy and Claire Bagnell awarded in Montana State 4-H Working Ranch Horse finals.
Cassie Miller • 1st Place in Bareback Equitation - Senior (Ages 14 and Up) • 1st Place in English Equitation – Colt to Maturity 5 yrs/Green Horse Level 4 • 2nd Place in Barrels - 14 and Over (Level 3 and up) • 4th Place in Western Horsemanship Level 7 • 4th Place in English Horsemanship Level 6 • 4th Place in Hunter Hack, (Ages 14 and Over) • 4th Place in Poles - 14 and Over (Level 3 and up) Hailey Arthur • 2nd Place in English Equitation - Senior (Ages 14 and Over) • 3rd Place in English Horsemanship Level 6 • 5th Place in Western Horsemanship Level 7 • 5th Place in Trail - Senior (Ages 14 and Over) McKenna Quirk • 3rd Place in Showmanship - Senior (Ages 14 and Over) • 5th Place in English Horsemanship Level 6 • 6th Place in Western Horsemanship Level 6
McKenna Quirk, Cassie Miller and Hailey Arthur competed at the State 4-H Horse Show.
Big congratulations to all these youth for representing Missoula 4-H so well throughout the summer. Thanks to the parents, club leaders, project leaders, siblings, award sponsors, and state 4-H staff for supporting them, and for making the opportunities available for them to compete and learn so many valuable life skills through 4-H. fall 2018 • HEALTHY ACRES
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Canada thistle
Spotted knapweed
Russian knapweed
Leafy spurge
Fall Treatments for Noxious Weeds
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s the hot, dry summer days fade away and cooler, rainier days of fall approach, consider fall an optimal time to treat troublesome noxious weeds. Fall can provide an opportunity to get effective control on species such as; Canada thistle, spotted knapweed, Russian knapweed and leafy spurge. The warm days, cool nights and increased moisture provide the resources to awaken these noxious weeds from late summer dormancy and produce re-growth. This re-growth period provides a window for herbicide treatments before seasonal hard frosts.
Canada thistle, unlike other invasive thistles, is a perennial plant with an extensive spreading root system. Traditional control methods, such as hand-pulling and mowing provide variable success while cultivation increases colonies because of the widespread root system. Canada thistle produces a late season flush of growth that produces enough foliage to renew the root system. Fall herbicide treatments target this re-growth. Systemic herbicides applied in the fall move through the plant to the roots as the plant “stocks-up” root reserves for winter. Herbicide selection is important for successful treatment. Table 1 lists herbicides that are recommended for Canada thistle control. Spotted knapweed, Montana’s most recognizable noxious weed, is a tap rooted perennial forb that is present in every county of the state. Spotted knapweed frequents a range of habitats and appears in regularly disturbed areas. As notorious as it is, spotted knapweed responds to many types of management. With 13 approved biocontrol agents, including root feeding weevils and several seed-head feeding insects, seed production has decreased significantly where present. Persistent hand pulling of small infestations or mowing and grazing of large infestations will reduce seed source and drastically reduce populations. Spotted knapweed responds to many herbicides when applied at label recommendations and can be a late season tool for newly germinated plants and regrowth. As with any herbicide, read the label to ensure the chemical is designed to treat spotted knapweed and proper precautions are taken to reduce non-target damage and movement. Table 2 lists recommended herbicides for spotted knapweed control. Russian knapweed, unlike spotted knapweed, is a rhizomatous perennial with papery tipped bracts (leaf-like structure just below the flower). Russian knapweed prefers clayey soils but is not limited to soil type. Because of its rhizomatous root system mechanical removal is not an effective tool as the roots re-sprout rapidly when pulled. Mowing will reduce biomass and prevent spread by seed but will not damage the plant enough for control. Herbicide treatments for Russian knapweed are optimal at a later growth stage than spotted knapweed, early bud to flowering, making fall application a prime time. It is recommended that herbicide treatments be coupled with revegetation to compete with the rhizomatous root system. Please refer to Table 3 for recommended herbicides and rates. Leafy spurge is an aggressive perennial with an extensive root system capable of reaching 30 ft in depth. This impressive root system enables leafy spurge to survive drought conditions, extensive grazing and some herbicide treatments. That said, persistent management is necessary on established patches to gain a foothold. There are 3 biocontrol agents that have proven to be effective on leafy spurge, two flea beetle species and a stem/root-boring beetle.
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HEALTHY ACRES • fall 2018
Table 1 Canada Thistle Treatment Active Ingredient
Rate
Efficacy
Picloram
1 quart/acre
Most effective in actively growing plants, spring or fall.
Aminopyralid
5-7 oz/acre
Most effective in actively growing plants, spring or fall.
Aminopyralid + 2, 4-D
2-2.5 pints/acre
Most effective in actively growing plants, spring or fall
Clopyralid + 2, 4-D
2-4 quarts/acre
Most effective in rosette to bud stages
Table 2 Spotted Knapweed Treatment Active Ingredient
Rate
Efficacy
Picloram
1 pint/acre
Most effective in actively growing plants, spring or fall.
Aminopyralid
5-7 oz/acre
Most effective in actively growing plants, spring or fall.
Aminopyralid + 2,4-D
2 pints/acre
Most effective in actively growing plants, spring or fall.
Clopyralid
1/3 -1 pint/acre
Apply after majority of basal leaves emerge up to bud stage or fall regrowth.
Clopyralid + 2, 4-D
2 quarts/acre
Most effective in rosette to bud stages
Triclopyr + Clopyralid
1.5-2 pints/acre
Apply from rosette to early flower or fall regrowth. Optimum time is mid-bolt.
2, 4-D Amine
2 quarts/acre
Apply at early stage of bolting. *Least effective herbicide listed
Table 3 Russian Knapweed Treatment Active Ingredient
Rate
Efficacy
Picloram
2-4 pints/acre
Apply during active growth from bud to mid-flowering or to fall regrowth.
Aminopyralid
5-7 fl oz/acre
Apply from early bud to flowering and to dormant plants in the fall.
Aminopyralid + 2, 4-D
2-2.5 pints/acre
Apply from bolt to early bud or to fall re-growth
Clopyralid + 2, 4-D
3-4 quarts/acre
Apply at the early bud to midflowering or to fall regrowth
Triclopyr + clopyralid
3-4 pints/acre
Apply from bud to mid-flower stage or fall regrowth
2, 4-D Amine
4-8 lb ae/acre
Apply at early stage of bolting
Photo of spotted knapweed by Rob Routledge, Sault College, Bugwood.org; other photos by Steve Dewey, Utah State University, Bugwood.org
INVASIVE SPECIES
If utilizing biocontrol as part of a integrated weed management plan remember to contain the boundary of the infestation to prevent spread. Leafy spurge becomes dormant during the late summer turning a reddish brown color and typically develop new fall re-growth in mid-September which is susceptible to herbicide treatments. Table 4 lists herbicides that can be effective on fall re-growth. Remember that with any weed management tool, yearly persistence and monitoring will be necessary. Removing plants from your property opens available space for new vegetation to grow. Take advantage of this open niche by promoting your beneficial plants or reseeding with species that can compete with invasive species and noxious weed seeds that linger in the soil.
Table 4 Leafy Spurge Treatment Active Ingredient
Rate
Efficacy
Picloram
1-2 quarts/acre
Most effective at full flower or fall regrowth
Picloram + 2, 4-D
1-2 pints/acre picloram, 1 quart/acre 2, 4-D
Most effective at full flower or fall, repeat annually for 3 years.
Imazapic
8-10 oz/acre
Most effective if used in fall prior to first frost.
What’s right with this picture! THE PHOTO IS STARK: A LONE CLUMP OF BLUEBUNCH WHEATGRASS somehow holding on in the middle of a wasteland of spotted knapweed. Taken by Peter Lesica sometime in the late 1990s, the photo was used by Missoula County Extension Agent Jerry Marks in countless talks and presentations. “It showed how an introduced plant can become dominant and the impact they can have on native grasses,” Jerry explained recently. “We thought we were going to lose all of our natives to spotted knapweed.” He used the photo to illustrate the threat noxious weeds posed to our native ecosystems and to emphasize the importance of addressing natives and understanding plant communities. Over the years I had seen the photo in numerous PowerPoint presentations and always enjoyed Jerry’s anecdotes about it, but I had never focused on the background of the picture. Sometime last year I came across a copy floating around the office and spotted something I had never noticed: across the top of the picture was a small strip of highway and a few houses. I immediately recognized the area as being somewhere on the base of Mount Jumbo. GPS unit and camera in hand, it didn’t take long to pinpoint the location of this iconic photo and document its current condition. Were it not for a lone ponderosa pine and the houses in the background, it would be difficult to convince anyone that the resulting photo was taken from the same
location. The plant community has flipped. Where the lone bunchgrass once struggled in a sea of spotted knapweed, an ocean of bluebunch wheatgrass now surrounds a single knapweed plant, barely visible to the untrained eye. Located near the base of Mount Jumbo on a triangle of grassland above the US West trail and the road that leads to the L Trail, the area was categorized as “inundated” in the 2010 vegetation analysis I conducted on City of Missoula and University of Montana conservation lands. Inundated is the worst of four vegetation categories that include Pristine, Mixednative dominant and Mixed-weed dominant. Morgan Valliant, Missoula’s Conservation Lands Manager, explained the management history of the site: The area has been heavily grazed by sheep for the past eight years, although the sheep were targeting leafy spurge and Dalmatian toadflax and were on the site earlier than is recommended for spotted knapweed. The area has seen some spot spraying with herbicides, but again the target weeds were leafy spurge and Dalmatian toadflax. The spotted knapweed in this area has well established biological controls and it has been heavily seeded two to three times in the last decade. “The contrast between these photos gives me hope that revegetation is worthwhile,” stated Morgan. “Multiple seedings combined with integrated weed control shifted the plant community!”
Left, photo taken in the late 1990s by Peter Lesica of a single clump of Bluebunch wheatgrass in the middle of a field of spotted knapweed. Compare that to the photo of the same location taken in 2018, right, showing a sea of bluebunch wheatgrass with a single spotted knapweed plant. Photo by Jed Little.
fall 2018 • HEALTHY ACRES
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INVASIVE SPECIES
Left: field bindweed was planted in 10 plots in an open-field test. Attack from the root mining fly (Melanagromyza albocilia) was found on 6 of the 10 field bindweed plants and no attack was found on any of the test plant species. Below: Researchers at CABI in Switzerland are investigating potential agents to combat field bindweed: a stem and root mining fly and clear-wing moths that attack the roots.
Field Bindweed Biocontrol Update Field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis), is a perennial vine that can form dense, tangled mats and can therefore outcompete native and beneficial vegetation. Infestations can have significant impacts on cereal crops, potato and tomato crops and additionally, field bindweed contains alkaloids that are toxic to horses. Field bindweed was introduced into North America in the 18th century and today, occurs throughout the continent except in the extreme north. The plant is difficult to control with conventional methods due to its extensive root system and the length of seed viability. In the 1970s, a program for the biocontrol of field bindweed was initiated and 2 agents have been released since. These two agents, the gall mite (Aceria malherbae) and the bindweed moth (Tyta luctuosa) were released in the US in the late 80’s. The establishment and impact of the gall mite is variable and appears to depend on moisture levels (less than 10 inches of annual precipitation). In heavily infested plants, the shoots are distorted and growth is stunted. Where it does establish and have impact, additional management is required for effective control of field bindweed such as regular mowing and redistribution. The bindweed moth has resulted in significantly less establishment and impact than the mite. Its presence is limited and impacts are minor at best. These lackluster results have resulted in the rejuvenation of the field bindweed biocontrol project. Researchers at CABI, Switzerland are currently investigating additional potential agents. Currently, the focus is on a stem and root mining fly (Melanagromyza albocilia) and clear-wing moths (Tinthia brosiformis) that attack the roots. Host specificity tests have proven to be difficult for the stem and root mining fly in the lab or common garden. The results have been variable with low success rate in development. Therefore, these test results are not reliable. The decision was made to conduct an open-field test at a natural field site. In 2017, researchers obtained permission from a landowner with naturally occurring field bindweed and fly populations to conduct studies. The landowner uses the field for corn production and 3 North American natives, 1 crop species, and field bindweed were planted in 10 replicates. Attack from the fly was found on 6 of the 10 field bindweed plants and no attack was found on any of the test plant species. These results confirm that the fly accepts a wider range of plants in lab or garden tests than in a natural setting. Open-field tests will continue in the upcoming years with additional test plant species, especially the ones that sustained attack in the lab. Attacking the root system of field bindweed is key for successful management. Therefore, CABI researchers began looking into root-mining clear-wing moths. Clear-wing moths can be very specific and have been successful biocontrol agents for other weed species but they can also be difficult to work with. A significant amount of progress was made in regards to this insect in 2018, including: identification of sites for collection, methods for rearing and host-specificity tests were developed, and data on its behavior and phenology were collected. It is however very early in the testing process of this potential agent and a significant amount of work still needs to be conducted. With continued support and funding it is possible that we might be able to add new tools for managing field bindweed in the future.
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HEALTHY ACRES • fall 2018
Above: Potted field bindweed being used for biocontrol research.
Partnerships: The Path to Preventing Aquatic Invasive Species
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Flathead Watersheds. In 2018 just under 14,000 DNRC, 13 lakes were sampled 3 times during the t the Missoula County Weed District watercrafts were inspected. Only 1 watercraft spring/summer/fall of 2018. Monitoring consist we are lucky to have many great was intercepted that had a single mussel shell of taking water samples and pulling plants. Water partnerships that help us reach discovered on it. This watercraft had not been in samples collected are sent to lab technicians to look our goals. The threat of aquatic the water in 3 years and the boat was cleaned and for microscopic mussel larvae, with plant surveys, invasive species requires strong partnerships released to it owner. the crews are literally pulling plants looking for and collaboration with many agencies and the invasive species and documenting what they organizations. Through these partnerships so much In addition to the Clearwater Watercraft find. So far this year no positive samples have work has been accomplished. Inspection Station, Missoula County Weed been reported, nor have any invasive plants been District had a roving watercraft inspector in the Our partners include: Clearwater Resource discovered in Missoula County and partnering Swan Watershed. This inspector rotated around Council, Blackfoot Challenge, Swan Valley watersheds. waterbodies in the Swan drainage and was stationed Connections, Swan Valley Lakers, Montana Fish “Prevention is worth a pound of cure.” If we at boat launches, checking if watercraft had been Wildlife and Parks, Flathead National Forest and are going to be infested by aquatic invasive species inspected and preforming inspections. This project Montana Department of Natural Resources and there is a high likelihood, they will be hitching a was funded through cooperative funding with the Conservation. Three core areas are the focus of ride on watercraft or angling equipment. Watercraft Flathead National Forest and the Swan Lakers. This these partnerships devoted to aquatic invasive inspection was an additional species: Monitoring, Prevention and layer of protection provided to Education/Outreach. If we are going to be infested by aquatic invasive these interior lakes that are at Monitoring for aquatic invasive species there is a high likelihood, they will be the headwaters to the Flathead species (AIS) is an important piece of and Columbia River Basin. the current AIS management strategy. hitching a ride on watercraft or angling equipment. In addition, the Clearwater Western Montana does not yet have Resource Council was able to staff many of these AIS species, namely inspections stations are a line in our defense against two boat launches in the Clearwater throughout zebra/quagga mussels and plants like Eurasian AIS. In 2018 the Missoula County Weed District in the summer with boat launch “Monitors.” These watermilfoil. The monitoring done by volunteers, cooperation with Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks individuals checked to make sure incoming partners and agencies will hopefully lead to early operated the Clearwater Watercraft Inspection watercraft had received an inspection. detections and allow for rapid response. Through Station. The station was open from April 14th until our partnerships with the Clearwater Resource Education and outreach are the third arm Labor Day Weekend. This station serves as interior Council, Swan Valley Connections and Blackfoot of our partnership plan of action to stop the protection to the Clearwater, Blackfoot, Swan and Challenge, utilizing grant funding from the MT invasion of Aquatic Invasive Species. Raising the awareness amongst the public and the residents in our watershed helps bring more people into our partnership to prevents AIS. Education and outreach programs were implemented in each of the three watersheds covered by our partners, Blackfoot, Clearwater and Swan. The dissemination of information about the threat of AIS was achieved through: presentations, newspaper articles, direct mailings, social media posts, organization newsletter articles, tabling events and school presentations. We are already looking ahead to 2019 and are planning for another successful season of partnerships in the prevention and spread of aquatic invasive species. Above: Checking watercraft at the Clearwater Watercraft Inspection Station. Left: roving watercraft inspector in the Swan Watershed.
fall 2018 • HEALTHY ACRES
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THURSDAY, OCT 11TH, 5:00-8:00 SUNDAY, OCT 14TH, 9:00-4:00
Health Acres is published by the Missoula County Weed District. To receive a copy of Healthy Acres, go to www.missoulaeduplace.org 2825 Santa Fe Court Missoula, MT 59808 406-258-4200
Gaining access to land is a journey. It’s also one of the most important and challenging steps to becoming a successful farmer or rancher. This two-part workshop is for people who have some farming/ranching experience and are looking for land. It will give you practical information and the skills you need to help you along the way. Presenters from CFAC, MSU Extension, Northwest Farm Credit Services, American Public Lands Exchange, and Fourth Wave Farm will provide participants with practical knowledge to: • Understand land tenure options • Assess financial readiness • Determine approaches that are most appropriate for their personal, business and financial situation • Secure land through purchase and prepare to meet with a lender • Secure land through lease and lease terms to fit their farm plans This workshop is designed for people with some farming or ranching experience and an active interest in seeking land or increasing the strength of their lease agreement. We recommend attending the full workshop, but single session registration is available. This workshop is FREE for beginning farmers and ranchers thanks to support from American Farmland Trust. On Thursday a light dinner will be provided through generous support from Northwest Farm Credit Services. Full details and registration at FarmLinkMontana.org/events
2018 MONTANA INVASIVE SPECIES SUMMIT
Hosted by: Montana Invasive Species Council Delta Hotels Helena Colonial (formerly Radisson Colonial) NOVEMBER 15 – 16, 2018
AGENDA
Preserving our natural resources.
Assessing and addressing Montana's regulatory framework to best protect our lands, waters, cutural assets, and native species.
The Montana Invasive Species Council hosts a biennial summit to convene agency, tribal sovereign nations, private landowners, industry, academia, nonprofit partners, policymakers, and other stakeholders to address invasive species issues. The 2018 summit will focus on the results of the Council’s invasive species law review.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2018 Registration Welcome and Opening Remarks Overview of Invasive Species Law Review: Results of Listening Sessions All Taxa Invasive Species List Managing Pathways vs. Species Lightning Round: Species with Potential Economic Benefits and Known Environmental Impacts Montana’s Hot Potato: Aquatic Invasive Plants Social Event FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2018 Welcome and Opening Remarks Regulatory and Enforcement Needs Political Champions Wrap-Up and Next Steps Closing and Noon Adjournment
Photo by Spend A Day Touring, LLC, flickr.com
SECURING FARMLAND BY LEASE OR PURCHASE