ND Department of Agriculture Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MARCH 25, 2008

SIGN-UP UNDERWAY FOR CATTAIL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

BISMARCK - North Dakota sunflower producers are encouraged to participate in the 2008 cattail management program to control blackbird depredation of their fields.

The management program, conducted by the Wildlife Services division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, reduce cattail habitat for blackbirds through aerial applications of herbicides. Removing cattails helps disperse large concentrations of blackbirds that move from the cattails to feed in sunflower fields.

The program is free to participating landowners.

For more information or application materials, interested landowners should contact USDA-APHIS Wildlife Services, 2110 Miriam Circle, Suite A, Bismarck, ND 58501; telephone: (866) 487-3297 or (701) 250-4405.

Applications must be received by July 1.

Wildlife Services operates in North Dakota under a memorandum of understanding with the North Dakota Department of Agriculture.

North Dakota is the nation’s leading producer of both oil and confectionary sunflowers.

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MEDIA: For more information, please call Phil Mastrangelo at (701) 250-4405.