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NRCS warns Ventanata grass is spreading across Carter County; commissioners briefed on funding, cost-share options
Summary
An NRCS representative told Carter County commissioners that Ventanata, a spreading annual invasive grass, has expanded rapidly across mapped polygons and that targeted implementation plan funding, chemical control (Rejuvra) and coordinated cost-share projects will be needed to contain it.
An NRCS representative told Carter County commissioners on Sept. 18 that Ventanata — an annual invasive grassy weed — has shown rapid recent spread across parts of the county and that NRCS has limited targeted implementation funding available in 2026 to help landowners treat affected acres. "I wanted to make you aware that NRCS has some funding opportunities available," the NRCS presenter said.
The presenter described a mapping effort of priority polygons where the agency has worked with landowners and said the weed already appears on private lands adjacent to Forest Service and BLM access points. The NRCS representative said chemical treatment using a product discussed as Rejuvra appears effective but requires repeated applications: "We're saying 3," the presenter said when describing expected years of control, adding that two treatments may be needed to get past the seed-bank cycle.
Commissioners and producers pressed for practical details. The NRCS presenter estimated a cost-share rate around $90 per acre and noted that producers were concerned about application rates and protecting perennial plants. Commissioners and attendees discussed logistics: ground rigs, aerial applicators and drones were considered, with producers worried about consistent application rates and whether producers will participate without broad financial support. One commissioner said the biggest obstacle was convincing some landowners that the plant is not simply cheatgrass.
The presenter emphasized the county's sage-grouse core areas as top priorities for funding and encouraged partners to prepare letters of support and coordinate with state (DNRC) and federal (BLM/Forest Service) contacts to leverage other funding pools such as the noxious weed trust fund. "We can use our cost-share assistance," the presenter said, "and we can fund spraying on BLM and Forest Service as well," but warned NRCS monies alone would not cover all mapped acres.
Next steps recorded at the meeting: NRCS and county staff will continue mapping and explore DNRC and noxious-weed trust fund partnerships, identify priority landowners and contractors (aerial applicators or drone services), and collect letters of support as needed to pursue multi-agency cost-share in 2026.
