Red Books are in at the Extension Office! The first two books are free but any additional book will be $7/book.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at 783-2514 or stop in and see us on the second floor of the Court House.

How to Halter Break Cattle in Three Days

Canada Thistle is a pesky invasive plant that has a tendency to take over and can be difficult to get rid of. This year as an alternative to spraying herbicides the Extension Office is offering the Rust Fungus Program. 

So what is Rust Fungus and how does it work? Rust Fungus is a host-specific organism which means that it will only attack Canada Thistle. Spraying of the Rust Fungus happens in the fall and this treatment does require a multiple year commitment to see success. Once the Canada Thistle has died the Rust Fungus also dies since it no longer has it’s host organism. 

If you are interested in applying for this alternative to herbicide the Extension Office is looking for 8 participants. This link will take you to an application that needs to be completed. You can also pick up a paper application at the Extension Office or call for more details.  

Bindweed is a noxious perennial weed that can be difficult to kill. While it does have pretty white or pink flowers and the classic arrowhead shaped leaves, this weed can be invasive if not treated. This weed has an extensive root system that grows deep and spreads laterally through the ground to steal nutrients from surrounding plants. Along the surface the plant will grow until it finds something that it can climb like a fence post or other plants.

Bindweed Mites are a great alternative to spraying herbicide on these plants. The mites aren’t an immediate solution to the weeds but over the course of 1-3 years the plants will die. These mites are host specific and once the Bindweed is eradicated the mites also die. The feeding mites cause leaf distortion, galling and stunting, which weakens the plant overtime and eventually causes it to die. The mites overwinter in the roots of the plant and it has been shown that once the mites are established mowing or distributing the affected Bindweed plants will spread the mites around to other plants!

The Extension Office is looking for 8 participants for this year. Click here for the link to the application!