MSU to Offer Pest Management Tour Across South Central Montana in October

From the MSU News Service

The Montana State University Pesticide Education Program, with support from MSU Extension, is offering a pest management tour Oct. 3-6 for pesticide applicators in Private Applicator Training District 5.

The tour will visit seven locations across south central Montana with local support from MSU Extension agents. Private (farm) pesticide applicators may attend a morning or afternoon session for three private applicator credits or both sessions for six credits. Commercial applicator credits are also available and can be viewed on the 2022 pest management tour webpage.

Private applicators in the state's Private Applicator Training District 5 need to earn six private applicator credits before Dec. 31 to avoid losing their certification, according to Cecil Tharp, MSU Extension pesticide education specialist. District 5 includes Big Horn, Carbon, Fergus, Golden Valley, Judith Basin, Musselshell, Petroleum, Sweet Grass, Stillwater, Wheatland and Yellowstone counties. Applicators can review their credit information at mtplants.mt.gov/ by selecting "pesticide programs" and "pesticide license search" before entering their license number. Applicators can also contact their local MSU Extension office for license information.

Tour presenters include Hayes Goosey, MSU Extension forage specialist, on forage pests; Jane Mangold, MSU Extension rangeland weed specialist, on invasive annual weeds; Tim Seipel, MSU Extension cropland weed specialist, on integrated pest management and herbicide resistance; Uta McKelvy, MSU associate Extension plant pathologist, on crop disease updates; Kevin Wanner, MSU Extension cropland entomologist, on alfalfa and pea leaf weevils; and Stephen Vantassel, Montana Department of Agriculture vertebrate pest specialist, on the management of Richardson's ground squirrels.

Presentations vary by location. The detailed program agenda is available at pesticides.montana.edu/events/2022pmt.html or by contacting a local MSU Extension office at pesticides.montana.edu/pat/patcolist.html. Participants must register in advance with local contacts, listed below for each location. There is no fee to participate, and lunch is provided at each location.

Tuesday, Oct. 4 Roundup: Central Commons Facility, 610 Second St. W. Contact: Jennifer Solf, MSU Extension Musselshell-Golden Valley County agriculture agent. Register by Oct. 1 by phone or email: 406-323-2704 or [email protected].