News from the North Dakota Department of Agriculture

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE AUGUST 8,2000

HEADLINES

• COMPLAINTS INCREASING AS CANADA THISTLE SPREADS ACROSS N.D.
• MORE THAN 80 TONS OF WASTE PESTICIDES COLLECTED
• POD COMPANIES TO SEE CANADIAN TRADE SHOW
• MEETINGS AND OTHER EVENTS

COMPLAINTS INCREASING AS CANADA THISTLE SPREADS ACROSS N.D.

BISMARCK – Canada thistle is rapidly becoming North Dakota’s most widespread noxious weed.

"At the present rate of infestation, Canada thistle will surpass leafy spurge in total acreage by 2002," said Commissioner of Agriculture Roger Johnson. "The most recent data suggests it already infests more than 900,000 acres."

Johnson said the North Dakota Department of Agriculture has been receiving numerous phone calls from landowners who are unhappy with a lack of Canada thistle control in neighboring cropland, pasture and Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) lands.

"State law makes it the duty of every citizen to control the spread of noxious weeds on their lands," Johnson said. "If noxious weeds are not properly controlled, complaints should be made to county or city weed boards."

Johnson said that Canada thistle acreage in North Dakota is up 300 percent since 1992 with an average of 99,000 acres added every year.

Despite its name, Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense), like many noxious weeds in the U.S., is native to Eurasia, and was probably introduced into this county by accident in the early 17^th century. It has been declared a noxious weed in almost every state. It is one of the most widespread, tenacious and economically damaging weeds in the U.S. and Canada.

Canada thistle principally reproduces by sending out shoots from lateral roots, and can readily regenerate from root fragments less than an inch in length.

Canada thistle is a prolific seed-producer. A single plant can produce more than 5,000 seeds, which can remain viable in the soil for more than 20 years. North Dakota State University researchers report that movement of contaminated grain remains the number one method of seed dispersal.

Canada thistle produces an abundance of seed down that is blown away from mature plants. Some seed may be carried by the down or may become detached, remain in the seed heads and be distributed in winter.

Management techniques include hand-cutting, mowing, controlled burning, and herbicides. Due to its perennial nature, entire plants must be killed in order to prevent regrowth from rootstock. Research is underway into biological control of the weed.

Johnson said landowners can also call their county extension agents for additional information on weed control.

MEDIA: For more information, please call John Leppert at (701) 328-2379.

MORE THAN 80 TONS OF WASTE PESTICIDES COLLECTED

BISMARCK – More than 330 North Dakota farmers, ranchers, pesticide dealers, applicators and other people brought in almost 84 tons of unusable pesticides during Project Safe Send 2000.

"This is the second highest total collection we’ve had in the eight years Project Safe Send has been in operation," said Commissioner of Agriculture Roger Johnson. "These numbers clearly show a continued need for the program."

Johnson said this year’s total almost matched that of 1997, when the North Dakota Department of Agriculture (NDDA) conducted three separate collection drives, including collections in the Red River Valley in the aftermath of the flood.

This year, a total of 332 persons brought in 166,949 pounds of unusable pesticides to the 16 collection sites scheduled in July. The pesticides included DDT, mercury, arsenic, chlordane, toxaphene and other dangerous chemicals.

The largest collection was at West Fargo where 34 people brought in 32,947 pounds. Larimore was second with 27 people bringing in 32,333 pounds.

The pesticides were sealed in containers by Onyx Environmental Services, Blaine, MN, and were transported to Wisconsin where they will be bulk packaged and then transported to federally approved incinerators in Illinois and Texas.

Authorized by the Legislature and conducted by NDDA, Project Safe Send is funded by the fees pesticide manufacturers pay to register their products in the state.

MEDIA: For more information, please call Judy Carlson at (701) 328-4997.

POD COMPANIES TO SEE CANADIAN TRADE SHOW

BISMARCK – Eighteen Pride of Dakota member companies will travel to Edmonton, Alberta, Aug. 20-23, to visit and evaluate the Alberta Fall Gift Show.

"The trip will give our companies the opportunity to determine if they should participate in this event in the future," said Commissioner of Agriculture Roger Johnson.

Participating companies include Dakota Lakes Products; Kensal; Bonnie's Country Classics, Fargo; Sandy's Prairie Dolls, Granville; Rolling Hills Premium Ranch Beef, Medina; Mable's Taste of Home, Fargo; Joanne's Wearable Art, Aneta; Pembina Brands, Grand Forks; Naturally Creative Designs, Grand Forks; Dakota Gardens, Minot; Stillpoint, Minot; Bob's Fudge Kitchen, Bismarck; Mikey's Country Candy, Hannover; RBJ's Spreadable Fruit, Hillsboro; Willow Creek Woodshop, Edgeley; R & L Light Creations, Napoleon; Star Burst Designs, Dickinson; Prairie Rustique, New Town, and Dolls by Jane, Velva.

Johnson secured funding for the trip through the Mid-America International Agri-Trade Council (MIATCO), the marketing arm of the Midwestern Association of State Departments of Agriculture (MASDA).

A non-profit organization, MIATCO helps exporters of midwestern food and agricultural products sell their products. MIATCO provides a wide range of services, including export promotion, customized export assistance, and a cost-share funding, to facilitate trade between local food companies and importers around the world.

Described as the largest event of its kind in western Canada, the Alberta Fall Gift Show will have more than 900 exhibitors in three buildings at the Northlands Agricom & Exhibition Centre. The show is expected to attract more than 19,000 retail buyers.

Administered by the North Dakota Department of Agriculture, the Pride of Dakota program offers member companies opportunities to participate in cooperative promotion and marketing events, representation at local, state, regional, national, and international trade shows and educational opportunities. More than 300 North Dakota companies are current Pride of Dakota members.

MEDIA: For more information, please call Sara Wagner-Budeau at (701) 328-4766.

MEETINGS AND OTHER EVENTS

Aug. 14 – Beef Quality Assurance Committee, 1 p.m., Ag Foundation Building, 4023 N. State St., Bismarck.

Aug. 14-15 – National Association of State Departments of Agriculture Risk Management Task Force Meeting, Washington, D.C.

Aug. 17 – Administrative hearing on proposed rules regarding importation of livestock from foreign countries, 9 a.m., Fort Union Room, State Capitol.

Aug. 29 – North Dakota Credit Review Board, 8:30 a.m., conference call. For more information, call Jeff Knudson at (701) 328-4769.

Aug. 30 – Non-Traditional Livestock Advisory Committee, 9 a.m., Peace Garden Room, State Capitol, Bismarck.

Sept. 13 – North Dakota Board of Animal Health, 9 a.m., Fort Union, Room, State Capitol, Bismarck.

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