Losing the weed war

Losing the weed war

David Sparks Ph.D.
David Sparks Ph.D.
I have known Roger Batt for a long time and ever since we met he has been committed to ridding the state of Idaho of invasive noxious weeds. Awareness and action are important to controlling these unwanted plant species and in some cases the state is winning the battle but in other cases... "Some of the weeds we are not winning the battle on are rush skeleton weed. Back in 1961, the first infestation was about an acre located in Banks Idaho. Nothing was done at that time and as a result, we have over a million acres of this weed across the state. We are not getting a good hold on poison hemlock. Certainly not as good as I would like to see in the state of Idaho. It is one of the most toxic plants in the Western Hemisphere. If kids were to get into this, and eat it, it would kill them. Pets, any grazing animal, even a goat will die as a result of exposure to this plant." Batt has new concerns this year as more and more Western Hemlock is being identified across the landscape of Idaho. That is not surprising because this plant loves water and Idaho is full of water.
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