SAN MIGUEL COUNTY – Several weeks ago the San Miguel and Montrose county weed control programs announced that increased funding for whitetop control on Wright’s Mesa was available. Many landowners have taken advantage of funding that has paid for as much as 75 percent of the cost of herbicides for the control of this highly invasive noxious weed – bringing the cost of herbicide from more than $20 an acre to less than $10, a substantial decrease in costs for area residents.

Last week the Natural Resource Conservation Service received word that they too have funding available for the control of noxious weeds – including whitetop and Russian knapweed through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program. Seventy-five thousand dollars is now available for agricultural producers in this area; funding will extend over three years and will complement the existing programs. Applications must be received by mid-June.

The normal control season for whitetop ends around the first of June. However, with the additional rain the past few weeks this control season may extend into early, and in some locations, mid June. Both counties still have funding for this project but the season is rapidly drawing to a close.

Whitetop is a rhizomatous perennial that spreads by roots and seeds. It is at full bloom and is quite visible right now. It will go dormant during the summer but seeds are still present and continue to spread the plant into new areas through water, wind, animals, and the movement of hay, equipment and soil.

All interested landowners are encouraged to contact either Sheila Grother at 327-0399 for San Miguel County, Laurie Mingen at 249-5216 for Montrose County or Jim Boyd with the NRCS at 327-4245.