Weed, and not Willies type of weed.

I am a pretty green guy, but it seems like the biggest weed problems in Iowa are in the county and state right of ways. We have a real problem with the garlic mustard, thistle and wild parsnip. The state and county does not spray them, and wants you to get a permit to do it yourself. They are into this kick to plant wildflowers, but just plant and forget them, this does not work.

We rented a farm from the county weed commissioner when I was growing up in the 60s', so was trained by him.



Venting.

I think that is a problem all over, at our cabin the county doesn't mow the roadside until after the weeds have gone to seed. I do some spraying, I'm glad 2,4-D is cheap!

(quoted from post at 20:15:24 06/04/17) I am a pretty green guy, but it seems like the biggest weed problems in Iowa are in the county and state right of ways. We have a real problem with the garlic mustard, thistle and wild parsnip. The state and county does not spray them, and wants you to get a permit to do it yourself. They are into this kick to plant wildflowers, but just plant and forget them, this does not work.

We rented a farm from the county weed commissioner when I was growing up in the 60s', so was trained by him.



Venting.

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Which County? Every county in Iowa is supposed to have a weed commissioner by law, Iowa code 317. If the commissioner doesn't enforce the law the Supervisors are responsible and if that doesn't work then the county Attorney is responsible. If you can't get something done by talking to the county attorney then call the state Weed Commissioner at IDALS. The county weed commissioner has jurisdiction on all land within the county including private, city, state, federal, and Railroad. I know,I am our county weed commissioner, spraying right now and will be until after July 4th. 5500 acres of road ditches and I have a contractor do half and I do the other half. My biggest problems are on conservation grounds,around acreages that buy a lot of hay, and non resident landowners.

Also Garlic mustard is not listed as noxious but as invasive, control is not required by the law, but seed transport is illegal. Wild parsnip is not listed as Primary noxious, secondary noxious, or even invasive and control is not required by the law. Thistles on the other hand are the main focus of the law. The law is old and outdated an has weeds like quack grass and morning glory that were extremely troublesome for cultivators but no longer a concern. Last session the legislators added Palmer Amaranth as Noxious, first time the law was changed in a very long time.

local DNR bought neighboring farm for "public lands". i watched them manage those lands to the point that they had a tremendous crop of curly dock, all gone to seed,farm was just brown. when i went to report my crops at FSA, i stopped at DNR office and complained about the weeds. they told me they were under staffed and had too much land to manage, didnt have time to do anything. i told them that if i was reported to have a weed problem of that magnitude, it wouldnt matter if i had no time no money, no help, i would have to get it sprayed pronto, or get fined. told them 24-d was pretty cheap, told me couldnt use 24-d, as they had $10000 of wild flowers seeded there. 2 weeks later they come out there with brush hog and spread around all those seeds. since then our govonor has started the selloff of at least some of the state owned land, that they borrowed money to buy. this farm looks better the last few years, no curly dock, dont see wild floweres either

My comment is from Hayes Township, Swift County Minnesota. Three miles north of dividing line Southern MN / Central MN. After decades of being vigilant spraying weeds, one of conclusions is that CLIMATE CHANGE is real. Any people who have doubts are welcome to visit for a look-see. Also, do want to say that Willie Nelson has done more good to American Farmers than any so-called football or baseball player that gets payed Millions of $$$. Please make public comments if any so-called football player or baseball player cares about farming.

It ain't climate change its the unnatural use of the land by constant row cropping things like corn and soybeans and the constant use of chemicals to solve every problem
that comes along just creates more problems.Trying to kill every plant and animal except soybeans and corn is not normal land use.

(quoted from post at 20:15:24 06/04/17) I am a pretty green guy, but it seems like the biggest weed problems in Iowa are in the county and state right of ways. We have a real problem with the garlic mustard, thistle and wild parsnip. The state and county does not spray them, and wants you to get a permit to do it yourself. They are into this kick to plant wildflowers, but just plant and forget them, this does not work.

We rented a farm from the county weed commissioner when I was growing up in the 60s', so was trained by him.



Venting.

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Actually, just a few days ago, there was a private contracter spot spraying the road banks along highway 2 in Iowa. I observed him on the stretch of highway between New Market and Clarinda. He was using a John Deere utility rig with a sprayer tank in the bed, and was going right down into the ditches. His truck and trailer was parked on the shoulder. The truck had logos indicating the service.

whewwww? I thought that problem was just in central MN. I strongly believe the motto on the truck should read "do as I say, not as I do".

Thought landowners owned to the centerline of county road. We can mow roadsides with a bush hog or bat wing at our discretion for weed control in IN. Maybe you are talking state roadsides.

(quoted from post at 09:20:38 06/05/17) Thought landowners owned to the centerline of county road. We can mow roadsides with a bush hog or bat wing at our discretion for weed control in IN. Maybe you are talking state roadsides.

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Yes, that is true in Iowa, but not all landowners will accept that responsibility, so the county steps in and at least tries to control the weeds and brush, but they just do not have the funding or manpower to take care of all of it.