Learning about weeds on the Marias

This past week I had the opportunity to spend time with weed control folks from all four of the counties I represent. The Marias River runs though Liberty County to Hill County then on to Chouteau County before entering the Missouri just below Loma. Therefore, weeds migrate down stream, this is the focus of the annual Week Float.

Noxious weeds were an issue I dealt with when I was with Liberty County as commissioner, then as your senator I voted for weed control bills. Many of the weed team members from the four counties are younger individuals that are learning about weeds, and most importantly how to work.

The subjects that were discussed ranged from type of chemical to type of weeds interactions between chemical, weeds, and soils, and application kinds. Included was a demo of a drone that was capable of putting out chemical product and doing hard-to-reach rough country that was impressive.

The raft I was in included a couple from Australia, visiting friends, a county commissioner, a conservation employee, business operator, and a Montana state lands guy and his two girls. During the stops I visited with a number of people including Terry Turner, Hill County Weed Deptartment, and I thanked Jim Ghekiere for all his work in putting the float tour together.

I stopped in to visit the Hill County commissioners earlier in the week.

When driving into Havre, I glance over at the new 4-H building and had to ask if it was going to be done for the fair. The commissioners all were convince the folks working up there had it handled and were thankful for the time everyone is putting in. My last time there the kitchen was still a work in progress.

We also visited about an issue with distribution of county funds and how it may affect the county. Jurisdictions seem to always become subject of conversations when visiting county elected officials.

Will see you all at the Hill County fair.

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Sen. Russ Tempel, R-Chester, can be reached at [email protected]. Tempel is being challenged in this year’s election by Havre Democrat Paul Tuss.