UNCE: Extension plans Weed Extravaganza for Elko May 1-3

The Elko County Cooperative Weed Management Area, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, Elko County Association of Conservation Districts and Nevada Department of Agriculture are sponsoring a “Weed Extravaganza” May 1-3 at the California Trail Interpretive Center (Hunter Exit, 8 miles west of Elko, north of I-80).

Workshops will include the 10th Elko County Weed Summit (May 1, 10 a.m. — 5:30 p.m.), Pesticide Applicator Training/Weed Identification and Management Workshop (May 2, 8 a.m. — 5 p.m.), and optional Certification Exams (May 3, 7:15 a.m. — 11 a.m.) for those seeking restricted-use pesticide certification.

Participants are welcome to attend any or all of the sessions. The workshops on May 1 and 2 are free to the public. However, those planning to attend on May 1 are encouraged to RSVP to Candie Kevan at kevanc@unce.unr.edu or 775-738-7291 so that an accurate head count for the hosted lunch can be obtained. Those wishing to take certification exams must pay $25 per test at the door on May 3.

Featured speaker at the Weed Summit will be Dr. Brenda Smith, with the USDA Agricultural Research Service in Burns, Ore. Smith will discuss “Best Management Practices for Cheatgrass and Medusahead Control.” Cheatgrass already impacts large areas of the Great Basin, and the noxious medusahead is a looming threat in northern Nevada.

Additional presentations will include information on control methods for other weed species, weed mapping, state weed laws and updates from cooperative weed management areas. An afternoon field trip, led by Cooperative Extension, will focus on identification of weeds during their vulnerable early growth stages.

At the Pesticide Applicator Training/Weed Identification and Management Workshop (May 2), topics will include: pesticide laws and regulations, pesticide spill and disposal, practical herbicide management, weed identification, weed management, revegetating to compete with weeds, understanding pesticide labels, aquatic weed management, vertebrate pest management and herbicide equipment calibration.

According to Kent McAdoo, Natural Resources Specialist with Cooperative Extension, “The term pesticide is often misunderstood. Pests include not just insects and rodents, but invasive weeds as well. So the term pesticide refers to any chemicals used to control any type of pest, including weeds.”

For licensed/certified pesticide applicators, attendance at both days of this workshop earns 14 continuing education units, including those required for laws and safety credit. For additional information, please contact McAdoo (mcadook@unce.unr.edu, 775-738-1251).

http://www.unce.unr.edu/news/article.asp?ID=1702