Whitetop worries farmers

LAKE COUNTY — A new season is upon us. Yes, it just officially became summer, but mid-June also signaled the start of hay season, which extends from now through September.

This year, several agricultural officials in the area are warning local hay producers and consumers to be wary of whitetop, an invasive species that ranks prominently on Montana’s official list of noxious weeds.

LAKE COUNTY — A new season is upon us. Yes, it just officially became summer, but mid-June also signaled the start of hay season, which extends from now through September.

This year, several agricultural officials in the area are warning local hay producers and consumers to be wary of whitetop, an invasive species that ranks prominently on Montana’s official list of noxious weeds.

A tall plant with a flat crown of white flowers, whitetop might seem aesthetically pleasing, but its innocent appearance belies its dangerous nature. The weed is well-suited to proliferate in Montana’s agreeable climate and poses an especially great risk to the agriculture-based economy of Lake County.

Not only does whitetop represent an immediate threat to hay producers in Montana, but some worry about the far-reaching consequences if the species continues to spread unabated. Asian nations conscious of the problem have threatened to impose an embargo on American hay exports, which would levy a significant blow to domestic growers.

Whitetop was introduced to the United States from Eurasia, and as is the problem with many invasive species, has “no active bio-control agent” to keep it in check on American soil, said Tom Benson, Director of Lake County Weed Control.

“There’s nothing here that uses it as a food source,” Benson explained.

A member of the brassica family, whitetop does more than just jeopardize hay harvests. Outbreaks on farmland can even bear a significant effect on property values.

The goal of Benson and other local officials involved with weed control is to protect native species, preserve biodiversity and prevent the spread of a weed monoculture.

“A lot is being done now,” said Brad Trosper, Land Management Program Manager for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. “It’s just never enough.”

The Tribes spend over $170,000 annually on issues pertaining to weed management, and the state of Montana spends many millions more. With the fight against weeds perpetually under-funded, the state has even enlisted the help of hungry cattle on the front lines, as part of the “Cows Eating Weeds” program, in which bovines are trained to target certain nuisance plant species.

Though not typically an advocate for herbicide use, Benson said that spraying is often a good first step for stopping small infestations.

But, “every situation is unique,” he added. Herbicide is not an appropriate cure-all solution that can be universally prescribed, especially given the area’s abundance of surface water and the sensitivity of surrounding ecosystems.

The fall is the best time of the year to tackle whitetop, according to Jack Stivers of the Montana State University Lake County Extension. This fall, Benson, Stivers and Trosper are planning to hold a demonstration to help educate the public about effective methods of whitetop control.

Trosper is careful to emphasize that they “don’t recommend pulling it” as root systems in some extreme cases can extend up to 30 feet.

“You need to stop seed production,” said Trosper. That can be a tall order, as whitetop seeds have the potential to remain “viable for 3-4 years,” he added.

With numerous local agencies seeking to boost public awareness of the noxious weed, Benson hopes to trigger a “neighbor-to-neighbor positive domino effect” that will help to alleviate weed issues in Lake County in both the short- and long-term.

The public is urged to take advantage of the extension services and other informational resources that are available to them.

“With ambition and common sense, you can control this,” said Benson.

There is a certification program for those seeking to ensure that their fields are whitetop-free. Conversely, those looking to buy hay from a certified producer can call the Department of Agriculture to find one near them. Benson says that second- or third-cut hay is generally safer when it comes to averting the risk of whitetop.

In order to ship hay outside of Montana, farmers must have their fields certified. The process will cost both producers and consumers a little extra, but Benson says it’s well worth it.

“If you’re not sure, buy certified hay from a certified producer,” he said. “It’s better to pay more than pay less and have to deal with the long-term repercussions.”

Ultimately, Benson says that people are better safe than sorry, and that exercising a little bit of caution can go a long way.

“We really owe it to future generations to fix our problem now instead of handing them a bigger problem,” Benson warned.