A weekly report prepared by the staff of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA). If you require further information, regarding this report, call the Elora Resource Centre at 519-846-0941. Office hours: 8:30am to 4:30pm. For technical information, call the Agricultural Information Contact Centre at 1-877-424-1300 or visit the OMAFRA website: www.ontario.ca/omafra.
THE ONTARIO SMALL URBAN MUNICIPAL CONFERENCE AND TRADE SHOW
Goderich is hosting the 63rd Annual Ontario Small Urban Municipal Conference and Trade Show, May 4 to 6.
OMAFRA staff will be presenting its Downtown Revitalization program (omafra.gov.on.ca/english/rural/edr/dr/index.html).
This interactive, hour-long session will provide an overview of OMAFRA’s Downtown Revitalization program and the newly revised First Impressions Community Exchange program, while providing the necessary background needed to identify the best approaches to initiating and sustaining a revitalization program in your community.
The keynote speaker at the conference is Greg Johnson, the Tornado Hunter. Johnson is known for capturing nature’s most beautiful and deadly displays of severe weather. One of North America’s top professional storm chasers and severe weather experts, his mission is to inspire others to pursue their own passions, while sharing and teaching the lessons he’s learned from going after his.
For draft agenda and registration please check the OSUM website (osum.ca/Events/2016-OSUM-Conference.aspx).
IT’S COLT’S-FOOT TIME AGAIN
by John C. Benham, weed inspector, Wellington County
Now that the snow is gone – beware, those bright yellow flowers are appearing now. Many times they are confused with dandelions. The dandelion has a smooth flower stem and the Colt’s-Foot flower stem has scales. Very few leaves will be present at flowering time. Make note of the location so it can be destroyed later in the season. Do whatever is necessary to eliminate the flower heads before they set seed.
Each flower head will contain about 3,500 seeds, similar in structure to a dandelion. They are distributed far and wide by the wind. If the seed lands on bare soil it will establish itself and become extremely competitive, smothering out all competing crops with its dense canopy of leaves. Its underground creeping root system rapidly expands the patch.
I have seen Colt’s-Foot leaves up to 14 inches across appear in late-June to early-July that are very effective in smothering all the neighbouring plants. Glyphosate is most effective in controlling this noxious weed when applied in late July and August when the plant is storing root reserves for next year. Check the patch later since often there will be leaves under the canopy that do not receive the spray. Later, when all the living plants are destroyed re-check the spot since it is an inviting spot for new seedlings. It will likely require several years to eliminate an established patch.
Keep in mind that Colt’s-foot is a noxious weed under the Weed Act and must be destroyed. Be sure to meet the requirements of the Cosmetic Pesticide Act.
