MSU Extension Ag Alerts

A team of researchers at Montana State University and the Montana Biocontrol Coordination Project are working on using a fungal rust as a potential biocontrol agent to help manage Canada thistle. The research is just beginning to assess how well the rust reduces Canada thistle patches. In the attached document there is a description of the rust, and it’s complicated life cycle. Stay tuned for more research results. 

In the meantime, our team is interested in identifying locations to collect more thistle rust and documenting its occurrence and impact on Canada thistle. If you need a positive identification of the fungus contact your local county agent or submit a sample to the Schutter Diagnostic Lab ( https://diagnostics.montana.edu/), and reach out to us at http://ipm.montana.edu/cropweeds/  and https://www.mtbiocontrol.org/. 

The Extension Plant Pathology Lab at MSU has done a couple of videos on current research activities and the newest video covers cold wheat, tan spot, WSMV, and fungicide decision making in field crops. Check them out on the Extension YouTube channel.  They are all very short. We are hoping this will be a good way to convey information with reduced travel and group sizes allowed.

https://youtu.be/jZoHJkasK8I Diagnostic Snapshot: Cold wheat and diseases

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SArnW6o9G2c&t=4s Inoculating Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus on Winter Wheat

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bd3PWrK1LVk Fungicide seed treatments for root rot in lentil

Feedback welcome! Future videos will include improved images and audio.

--Mary Burrows

406-599-9966

mburrows@montana.edu

The Montana State University (MSU) Pesticide Education Program (PEP) is announcing new protocols to testing Private and Commercial Applicators to minimize COVID-19 risks.  The COVID-19 virus and corresponding risks have impacted the Montana agricultural and commercial community in a variety of ways. This includes the temporary inability to take necessary exams to qualify for a Montana Private or Commercial Pesticide License, as well as a loss of on-site pesticide applicator programs offering continuing education credits.  This news release is a guide to pesticide applicators desiring a Montana Private / Commercial Pesticide License, as well as directions on how to accumulate necessary recertification credits to requalify into the next certification cycle.  

Montana residents are contending with difficult times due to the spread of the COVID-19 virus, otherwise known as the “Corona Virus”. As of April 15th there are 404 confirmed cases, 51 current and past hospitalizations and 7 deaths (Figure 1). Due to the high infection and mortality rate, Governor Bullock issued a “Stay at Home” order for non-essential businesses until, at least April 24th. This news release will discuss the N95 respirator shortage, available antimicrobials, and correct use of respirators to protect against this virus.

RE: Please disregard the original pesticide and hemp news release sent out on 02/04/2020.  Many previously registered section 3 pesticides were missing.  This ag alert represents a complete listing of pesticide products available in Montana as of 02/05/2020. 

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Industrial hemp, Cannabis sativa L., was removed from the list of controlled substances and legalized through the 2018 Farm Bill if the THC content is less than 0.3%. Hemp production is now legal in 47 states with Montana ranked number one in the nation with 45,000 planted acres reported in 2019, followed by Colorado with 21,000 acres and Kentucky with 19,000 acres. Though this crop thrives in Montana, there has been confusion regarding the legal use of pesticides which vary from state to state. This alert is designed to assist producers/ag leaders in understanding the policies governing pesticides and hemp, as well as the pesticides which are now legal to use on hemp in Montana.