Article in AGECONMT by Kate Fuller of Montana State University, who estimated that each one-pound increase in thistle biomass corresponds to a revenue loss ranging from 4-8 cents. This may not sound like a lot, but the average prevalence of thistle by location and crop in their trials corresponds to a $21-$49 loss per acre, which translates to 4-11% of estimated gross revenue. Read the article at https://ageconmt.com/cost-creeping-thistle-organic-farms/
News
Aug 8, 2021
Join the CREEP Stop project and eOrganic for a webinar that will focus on the difficult task of managing Canada thistle and field bindweed in organic cropping systems using integrated management strategies. Researchers Pat Carr, Tim Seipel and Jed Eberly from Montana State University will report on how crop rotations, tillage, and biocontrol can be used in organic systems to reduce these perennial weeds. The webinar will take place on October 13, 2021 at 11AM Pacific, 12PM Mountain, 1PM Central and 2PM Eastern Time. It's free and open to the public, and advance registration is required. Funding for the webinar is provided by NIFA OREI as part of the CREEP Stop Project. Register now at https://oregonstate.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_zF2BSWd-Q8KBrzVOXFjzfw
Jan 1, 2021
Field bindweed is one of the most difficult weeds to control in organic systems. On January 14, 2021 at 9AM Mountain Time (8AM Pacific, 10 Central, 11 Eastern) a meeting will be held that wil include speakers from Montana State University and the USDA ARS on existing biological control agents, current biological control development including stem-mining fly and clearwing moth, and genetic reproduction subjects, as well as discussion of the consortium research budget. View a flyer and find a link to join the meeting at http://smallgrains.wsu.edu/event/field-bindweed-biological-control/
Dec 12, 2020
The Montana Organic Association is hosting presentations which will provide updates on Montana State University Research including “CREEP STOP: Progress Report on Our Project to Develop Strategies for Suppression of Creeping Perennial Weeds;” “Bioherbicides: How to get them to work effectively against Canada Thistle and Bindweed, in Montana.;” “Canada Thistle Biocontrol in Organic Cropping Systems.” Pat Carr, Tim Seipel, David Sands, Chelsey Roper, Jed Eberly, Ole Norgaard, and others. The recording is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nCtaF7zlyk
Jun 6, 2019
Montana State News wrote an article describing the project, which focuses on the management of perennial weeds in the Northern Great Plains and Pacific Northwest regions. Read the article at https://www.montana.edu/news/18243
Funding
This project was funded in 2018 by the Organic Research and Extension Initiative grant, part of the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Grant number 2018-51300-28432
