02/02/05 Weed awareness booklet now available

The Idaho Weed Control Association is holding its fifth annual meeting today and tomorrow. The conference in Nampa is open to private landowners and agencies that control noxious weeds. There are 36 noxious weeds that have been identified in Idaho and now they're part of a booklet put out by Roger Batt of the Idaho Weed Awareness campaign. Batt says it's a great tool to have because it can help Idahoans with the first step, identifying the weeds. BATT "That informs people on what these noxious weeds look like both in the early stages and in the blooming stages of the noxious weed. In the very back of the book it provides for a noxious weed control guide to talk to about which type of control methods are best for that particular noxious weed." Through the campaign Idahoans are more aware of the weed problem and its potential on agriculture and recreation. The booklet is free. BATT "There's available on the Idaho weed awareness website, that's www.idahoweedawareness.org or you can call our hotline number at 1-866-ID-WEEDS and request a book and from our office here we'll be happy to mail it to you." Batt and others say our mild winter and what appears to be an early spring will probably result in plenty of weeds again this spring and summer. The website Batt mentioned also has a list of weed management districts through out the state and local weed superintendents. Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott