County Agent Update

Mondak Ag Showcase

July 14-15 the Williston Research Extension Center will be hosting their annual field days. On Thursday July 14th starting at 8:30a.m. CT, the day will begin with the dryland tour. This event is free and no registration is required. On the dryland tour you can learn about the new crop varieties, Williston’s research and the five steps to a great lawn. After a delicious BBQ chicken dinner, the afternoon session will start at 1:30 at the Ernie French Center. The afternoon session is dedicated to pulse crops with specialists from North Dakota State University, Pulse USA and AGT Foods present. To round out the night, join the Williston Regional Economic Development Corporation, Williston Economic Development and McCody Concrete, at McCody Concrete as they host the Williston Chamber of Commerce Business After-Hours event. For more information contact the Williston Research Extension Center at 701-774-4315.

Getting rid of Foxtail Barley

While reading this weeks NDSU Crop & Pest Report, I came across an article about Foxtail barley control. Within the county, I have seen foxtail in many pastures and on the edges of fields. This summer, so far, I have seen more foxtail barley than last year, which was a good amount. One thing to help with the control of foxtail, is to make sure it is foxtail barley and not yellow or green foxtail. There are differences between the three plants, making sure what you have will drastically change the control method(s). For foxtail barley, the plant grows 1-2 feet tall and forms a pale green, bushy spike. Leaves are soft to the touch due to very short, but dense hairs which appear a bluish-green or a grayish-green. Foxtail is a perennial bunchgrass, that thrives where reduced tillage or no-till is practiced. It is native to North America and is found in wet areas, it is also tolerant of saline/alkaline soils. The seeds are primarily spread by the wind or by birds/animals, but interestingly enough, it can germinate in the fall or spring. The fall germinating plants resume growth earlier in the spring and have a competitive advantage over spring-seeding crops and other native grasses. Foxtail can be easily controlled with tillage because of its shallow fibrous root system. Unlike some other perennial weedy grasses, foxtail does not spread by rootstocks or rhizomes. Dr. Brian Jenks, NDSU Weed Scientist at the North Central Research Extension Center in Minot, conducted research on spring or fall glyphosate applications. Jenks found that fall applications (August to mid-September) provides 72-98% foxtail barley control and that spring application only provided 35-68% control. Following the glyphosate label on application rates will provide you with the best control. As always, making sure you follow the PPE is greatly important for your health.