Spink County Weed and Pest, Redfield SD 57469

Spink County Government
Redfield SD 57469

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Spink Co Weed & Pest

    Mike Esser,
      Weed Supervisor
      weedandpest@spinkcountysd.org

    Shirley Howe,
      Secretary

     2006 Weed Control Crew

Weed Board

     Harold Loewen
     Lannie Mielke
     Deb Schultz
     Robert Woodring

     Jerry Zerbel, Commissioner
     Mark Rosenberg,
       Extension Educator

**********
South Dakota Statewide Noxious Weeds

as identified by the
SD Weed and Pest Control Commission

**********

Russian Knapweed
Hoary Cress
Purple Loosestrife
Perennial Sow Thistle
Leafy Spurge
Canada Thistle
Salt Cedar

Salt Cedar Info

Outside Links

    • Team Leafy Spurge
    • APHIS Noxious Weeds
    • NDSU-Hettinger Research
    • SD State University
    • SD Dept of Agriculture
    • SD Weed & Pest Info

Restricted-Use Pesticide Permission Notice

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Good Neighbors Control Noxious Weeds

** Find out more about the state's
newest noxious weed - Salt Cedar

We’ve had some wonderful moisture so far this spring. This should give the crops a good start for the growing season. The moisture will also give weeds a good start, so be sure to check your patches of noxious weeds and keep watch for any new patches.

You’ve been planning your crops since harvest of last year. You should also have been planning your noxious weed control. What herbicides are labeled? How effective are they? What do they cost? Can I use them in crops, fence rows, pastures, farm sites, or other non crop areas?

I certainly hope this year is profitable for all of you and I appreciate all your hard work controlling noxious weeds. Keep up the good work.

Mike Esser

Spink County Weed & Pest Supervisor

Bio-control is using natural enemies (i.e., parasites, predators and pathogens) of weeds and other pests to reduce the abundance or competitive advantage of a weed or pest.

Flea Beetles have been quite successful in reducing Leafy Spurge infestations. We have several releases in Spink County and populations have reached harvestable levels.

(Flea Beetles have been successful in reducing Leafy Spurge)

Bugs Do Work!

"We first released the spurge beetles on this pasture in 2002. In 2003 we didn't move the bugs but you could see an area of 30+ sq. ft. where they were working. In 2004 this area increased to 100 yds. Moved the bugs around this year. In 2005 area increased to 25 acres or so and we were able to harvest beetles and move them farther. We saw a large area of coverage in 2006 with 60 acres or so of control. Once again we harvested and moved them to new areas. We have beetles in other fields with spurge and are seeing more control in those areas also."

Kenneth Nowell, Tulare South Dakota

Harvesting Flea Beetles	Using nets, the participants swept the area to harvest the Flea Beetles. The beetles were packaged and placed in coolers for transportation to a new location. Beetle Collection Photos Beetle Collection Video ( windows media player format )
If you would like more information or are interested in using Flea Beetles, please give us a call and we would be glad to get you started with this program. (605) 472-5008

Saltcedar Continues to Cause Trouble for Landowners in SD

PIERRE – One of the most invasive noxious weeds in the state continues to fight control by producers. Saltcedar has been found growing along wetlands in the central section of the state and also near stock dams in western South Dakota. Saltcedar was originally introduced to stabilize stream banks and for windbreaks and ornamental plants, but has gone on to become a pest and in some cases, has taken over native vegetation.

Saltcedar can grow as tall as 25 feet and has an extensive root system. A large infestation of Saltcedar can dry up creeks and small lakes and control of the plant can be hard-as it can withstand cutting, grazing, burning, drought and flooding. The South Dakota Ag Department says herbicides provide the best control and those with questions about the plant should contact their county weed and pest supervisor.

Contact Information

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Spink County Weed and Pest
Mike Esser, Weed Supervisor
1518 E 7th Avenue
Redfield SD 57469

Phone: (605) 472-5008
Fax: (605) 472-5010
weedandpest@spinkcountysd.org

Office Location: East Hwy 212
Hours: 7:00 am - 3:30 pm Monday - Friday
Office Hours: 7:00 am – 4:00 pm Monday - Friday

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