Distribution and Economic Impacts of Leafy Spurge in North Dakota

The history, the distribution and the economics impacts of the weed, leafy spurge, in North Dakota, are reviewed for the reader. Leafy spurge was introduced as early as 1827 in Massachusetts. However, it did not develop into a problem under later in the Great Plains states. By 1950, this weed was found in every province of Canada, except for Newfoundland. Leafy spurge is found in all 53 counties of North Dakota. In those areas infested, the economic impacts of leafy spurge are first felt in hay and livestock productions. Next is the added costs of leafy spurge control, including chemicals and their application. The third effect is added expenditures on non-agricultural items such as roads, railroads, public utilities and government lands. The costs related to leafy spurge to the state of North Dakota averaging 1978-82 was approximately $13 million per year. The necessity of the continuance of management strategies of this weed are highlighted as being the appropriate measure to reduce future losses

Control of Leafy Spurge with Herbicides

The issue of how to control leafy spurge is problematic. the application of herbicides and a proper management control have proven the most effective treatment for top growth and root control.Herbicides that have been chosen to address this typically have been 2-4, D, dicmaba (Banvel), glyphosate (Roundup) and picloram (Tordon). This article discusses the most effective usage of herbicides for the control of leafy spurge in several different management situations. The timing of the herbicide application, the control in pasture and range lands, it's control in wooded areas, it's control for small infestations and the economics of leafy spurge control are each addressed in the article. It was summarized that if with proper well planned and implemented leafy spurge management strategies that once unproductive lands could be returned into agriculturally productive lands once again

Dalmatian Toadflax and Yellow Toadflax (Linaria genistifolia spp. dalmatica and Linaria vulgaris)

W-123

Saltcedar (Tamarix spp.): Identification and Control

W-122

North Dakota Noxious and Troublesome Weeds

W-1103 (Revised

Leafy Spurge Control Using Flea Beetles

W-118

Houndstongue (Cynoglossum officinale L.): Identification and Control

W-130

Know your Knapweeds

W-1146 (Revised

Yellow Starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis): Identification and Control

W-122

Identification and Control of Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria L.)

W-1132 (Revised