Pesticide Education Program set across south-central Montana Oct. 2-6

MSU News Service

The Montana State University Pesticide Education Program is offering the Pest Management Tour for pesticide applicators at 10 locations across south-central Montana from Oct. 2 to Oct. 6.

Those in the state’s Private Applicator Training District 5 need to earn six private applicator credits before Jan. 1 to avoid losing their private certification. Applicators can check their credits at mtplants.mt.gov by selecting “pesticide programs” and “pesticide license search” prior to entering their license number. Applicators can also contact their county MSU Extension office for license information.

Private applicators can attend morning or afternoon sessions for three credits or both sessions for six credits. Commercial applicator credits will also be offered, and information on those can be viewed on the last page of the 2017 Pest Management Tour agenda at pesticides.montana.edu by selecting “Pest Management Tour.”

Speakers will present on managing prairie dogs, managing birds, weed management, pulse diseases, pesticide applicator recordkeeping, pesticide drift, herbicide carryover and diagnosing herbicide injury. Topics will vary by location. MSU speakers include Fabian Menalled, Cropland Weed Specialist; Jane Mangold, Rangeland Weed Specialist; Jessica Rupp, Potato, Sugarbeet and Pulse Pathologist; and Cecil Tharp, Pesticide Education Specialist; while Montana Department of Agriculture speakers include Stephen Vantassel, Vertebrate Pest Specialist, and Eric Clanton, District 5 Officer.

The tour stops are:

• Oct. 2, Lewistown – 8:30 a.m., Eagles Club, 124 W. Main St. Register by Sept. 29 by contacting Amy Bowser, 406-994-5178, [email protected] or online. Cost is $10. Lunch is provided.

• Oct. 2, Hobson – 8:40 a.m., Tall Boys Tavern, 122 Central Ave. Register by Sept. 26 by contacting Katie Hatlelid at Judith Basin County Extension, 406-566-2277, ext. 104, or [email protected]. Cost is $10. Lunch is provided.

• Oct. 3, Roundup – 8:55 a.m., Roundup Community Center, 700 Third St. W. Register by Sept. 27 with Mat Walter at Musselshell County Extension, 406-323-2704 or [email protected]. Cost is $15. Lunch is provided.

• Oct. 3, Rygate – 8:40 a.m., Rygate Firehall, 107 Kemp St. Register by Sept. 27 with Mat Walter at Mussellshell-Golden Valley County Extension, 406-323-2704 or [email protected]. Cost is $15. Lunch is provided.

• Oct. 4, Billings – 8:25 a.m., Red Lion Inn, 1223 Mullowney Lane. Register by Sept. 29 by contacting Amy Bowser, 406-994-5178, [email protected] or online. Cost is $15. Lunch is provided.

• Oct. 4, Hardin – 8:45 a.m., Big Horn County Fairgrounds, 118 Sawyer Loop. Register by Sept. 28 with Molly Hammond at Big Horn County Extension, 406-665-9770 or [email protected]. Cost is $5. Lunch is provided.

• Oct. 5, Columbus – 8:45 a.m., Stillwater County Fairgrounds Pavilion, 328 N. Fifth Ave. Register by Sept. 29 with Lee Schmelzer at Stillwater County Extension, 406-322-8035 or [email protected]. Event is free and lunch is provided.

• Oct. 5, Joliet – 8:35 a.m., Joliet Community Center, 209 E. Front Ave. Register by Sept. 29 with Nikki Bailey at Carbon County Extension, 406-962-3522 or [email protected]. Event is free and lunch is provided.

• Oct. 6, Big Timber – 8:35 a.m., Sweet Grass County Fairgrounds, 78 Fairgrounds Road. Register by Sept. 29 with Marc King at Sweet Grass County Extension at 406-580-2556 or [email protected]. Event is free and lunch is provided.

• Oct. 6, Harlowtown – 8:55 a.m., Kiwanis Youth Center, 202 Third NE. Register by Sept. 29 with Mandie Reed at Wheatland County Extension, 406-632-4728, ext. 308 or [email protected]. Cost is $15 and lunch is provided.

A detailed program agenda is online at http://pesticides.montana.edu under “2017 Pest Management Tour.” Information is also available from local Extension agents. For any other questions, contact Cecil Tharp at the MSU Pesticide Education Program office at 406-994-5067 or [email protected].

The MSU Extension Pesticide Education Program is an educational program promoting the proper use of pesticides to protect public health and the environment. The program supports all applicators, businesses and homeowners by combining educational resources and knowledge from scientists, governmental agencies and the public.