Keith County authorizes weed and infestation reports, discusses biological control for Canada thistle

The Keith County Board of Commissioners voted to authorize the chair to sign the county’s annual weed report and the infestation report after hearing a staff presentation detailing increased infestations this year, largely visible in rights-of-way that were mowed less frequently.

Jamie (county weed/noxious-weed staff) told the board the infestation report has grown largely because county right-of-way areas showed more weeds when mowing frequency declined, and said they will spend more time inspecting and spraying the eastern end of the county. Jamie described a possible biological control — a rust fungus specific to Canada thistle — and said he would consult colleagues at NACo/NACO and other counties to confirm whether the rust itself presents any risk to wheat or corn crops; board members raised the importance of ensuring the fungus does not spread to non-target crops. Jamie also said the Platte Valley Weed Management Association typically handles riverbed Phragmites and tamarisk/salt cedar work with drone/flatboat/helicopter application but that budget cuts limited their recent field work.

After the presentation commissioners moved and passed separate authorizations for the chair to sign the weed plan, the infestation report, and related rosters and Department of Agriculture budget reports. Commissioners directed staff to continue working with regional partners, evaluate drone application options for river areas, and bring any additional information back to the board.

A motion authorizing the chair to sign the annual weed report passed by roll call and was repeated in separate motions approving related documents.

Next steps: staff to pursue additional technical information about biological control safety, coordinate with Platte Valley Weed Management Association on riverbed work, and implement the inspection/spray schedule discussed in the presentation.