ODA Fighting Noxious Weeds

In the ongoing effort to improve fish and wildlife habitat in Oregon, the planting of desirable grasses and other vegetation to control erosion and siltation is very important.  But it doesn’t do any good if what is planted is infested with weed seeds.

“Prevention is certainly our first line of defense for managing noxious weeds statewide. Historically, many of our worst noxious weeds were introduced as seed contaminants and brought into this country or into Oregon,” said Tim Butler of the Oregon Department of Agriculture’s Noxious Weed Program.

Butler added contaminated seed has inadvertently introduced weeds to sensitive areas in the state.  He advised land managers and owners to make sure what goes in the ground is clean and weed-free.

“The best insurance that we recommend is that they procure seed ahead of time so they have enough time to pull a sample and have that tested to ensure that it does not contain noxious weeds.”

ODA regulates the state’s seed industry and does some sampling and testing as well.  Additional testing may cost someone a little more, but Butler said having to remove weeds down the road will cost a lot more.

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