10/06/06 Don`t "Cheat" your bottom line

Washington Ag October 6, 2006 Don't "Cheat" your bottom line is a half-day workshop focusing exclusively on managing downy brome coming up Thursday October 12th in Ritzville at the American Legion Hall. Aaron Esser with Lincoln-Adams Area Extension is organizing the session. Esser: "It is focused on managing downy brome utilizing both cultural and chemical control. With the cost of tillage and fuel and herbicides the proper control is more important today than ever. Cheat grass is one of those weeds that really limit yield production. When growers are disappointed with yield I think in a lot of instances it has to do with cheat grass infestation." In fact Esser says less than seven downy brome plants per square foot can quickly reduce an average winter wheat crop to a below average yield. Weed scientists Dan Ball of OSU and Joe Yenish of WSU will be speaking at the workshop as will representatives from the companies with herbicide products for cheat grass control. Registration begins at 8 am on the 12th. The cost is $10 which includes lunch. Call 509-659-3212 before October 10th to RSVP. I'm Bob Hoff