Grant County Weed Board reviews spraying operations, keeps repaired four-wheeler and schedules Bug Day for July 1

At the June 17 meeting in Carson, the Grant County Weed Board reviewed operational matters including chemical purchases, spraying logistics, equipment repair and outreach plans.

Weed officer Merlin Leithold said the board has recently purchased a substantial quantity of chemical and that the product known as the "Grant Trifecta" is especially popular. He reported that pallets 3 and 4 of 5-gallon jugs were on order and that he has been using 15-gallon returnable drums. Leithold described a new setup that pumps chemical directly into a mixing cone, which then mixes with water and feeds the truck tank; he said the arrangement is working well.

Leithold said spraying began in May but has been minimal lately due to weather. He also reported that a contract sprayer, identified as Zenker in the minutes, has collected chemical for several landowners under the board's current distribution process.

The board reviewed the four-wheeler, which had been in for carburetor repair and was appraised informally at about $1,000 to $1,500. After discussion, the board agreed by consent to retain the machine; members noted the vehicle originally came through a grant from NDDA and the board had not paid for it.

The board confirmed the 29th Annual Bug Day will be held Tuesday, July 1, at the Boy Scouts site; Merlin reported decent emergence at the site and said Morton County will again pay 50% of actual expenses. An Extension representative, Tessa, was absent but had provided information on hay quality and testing, which Merlin distributed to the board.

The meeting concluded with routine scheduling and adjournment at 9:17 p.m.