By Scout Nelson
North Dakota hosts the Agriculture Commissioner’s Noxious Weed Forum to help farmers, land managers, and weed control officials protect land from harmful plant species. The forum takes place on January 6 at the Bismarck Hotel and Conference Center in Bismarck.
This forum brings experts together to share updates, new tools, and safety practices for weed control. The goal is to help protect crop fields, roadways, rail lines, and natural areas from noxious weeds that reduce crop yield and harm the environment.
The program begins with updates from the North Dakota Department of Agriculture. These updates explain current state weed programs and recent changes that affect farmers and local weed boards.
Experts then discuss weed management under organic rules. This session helps landowners understand how to manage weeds while following organic standards. It explains simple methods that protect crops and keep farms in line with organic rules.
New technology is another key topic. A session explains how drones and artificial intelligence tools help detect weeds early. These tools allow land managers to find weed problems before they spread and become harder to control.
Vegetation management along roads and rail lines also receives special focus. State transportation leaders explain how they manage weeds along highways to keep roads safe. A railroad expert explains how weed control along rail lines protects nearby farmland and communities.
The forum includes a lunch and networking session. This allows participants to share ideas and learn from each other’s experiences.
The Agriculture Commissioner presents a Partner Award to honor groups that support weed control and community efforts. This shows the importance of teamwork in protecting land and crops.
University experts discuss the difference between native plants and noxious weeds. This session helps landowners learn how to identify plants correctly to avoid removing helpful species.
The forum closes with updates from a regional weed and pest group and a session on pesticide safety. These sessions remind land managers how to use weed control products safely to protect people, animals, and water.
This forum supports healthy farmland and safe weed control practices across North Dakota.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-zoomtravels%201
Categories: North Dakota, Crops, Rural Lifestyle, Farm Safety