Weed notes
- Details
- Published on Sunday, September 23, 2012
By: Sid Lewis
myWestman.ca
I was recently asked if the upcoming ban was all I had to write about, I presume because of the times I have mentioned it in past columns. So for a little change of pace I thought I would start out this column saying that at time of writing, (Sept. 18) it is soooo dry around here, one night when I ran the water for a shower, a beaver broke through the screen door and jumped in the tub!
Although I haven’t any data yet, I see in the Manitoba Co-operator the Clean Farm program will run Oct. 23-25; the closest places to drop your unwanted farm chemicals are Birtle Twin Valley Co-op, Virden Valleyview Co-op and Brandon Acropolis Warehousing Inc.
Our weed management program is slowing down a bit, with only the fall dandelion program left, and normally, that finishes the end of this month. As mentioned at the start of this column, extreme dry conditions are hampering control percentages as all plant growth is in a limbo state and herbicide uptake is limited.
Dollar wise, we will be on excellent footing again this year with contract monies from Infrastructure and Transportation, plus the monies from the respective RMs in the district which paid for various weed control programs on their properties. I would like to say how highly I value the dedication and gung-ho from coworker Keith Bennett who has helped me the last few years in the roadside program.
He is so super that at the start of the program, I can hand him the maps for his areas and never have to worry about the work being accomplished. If he sees a weed or brush problem that isn’t on the maps, he will go ahead and do it because, “I was in the area.”
This is where weed control districts shine—keeping ahead of new potential invasive weed problems as well as controlling those already present. There is a whole lot of gratification when councillors and board members repeatedly say, “You both know where the problems are, so go ahead and do what is needed without checking with us.”
This summer, a neighbouring councillor saw our brush control on a bordering road between two RMs. He mentioned to the patrol operator he wished we would do more contract control work such as what we accomplished then. If I sound repetitive now, my humble apologies, but Oct. 1 is fast approaching.
Please contact your MLA to voice your thoughts on the proposed cosmetic spray ban. I have been told many farm families do not realize the ban will have the same implications to them as towns; a first-time offence will result in a fine of $2,500!
If you have any questions of concerns for Midwest Weed District, please phone 204-764-2128.
