MSU EXTENSION FALLON COUNTY 

Do you have new or strange insects or spiders around your house or in your crops or garden? Bring them to our office or send us an email at [email protected] for identification. Insect and spider samples should be in a hard sided
container to prevent crushing in transit. It is important to bring in samples as soon as possible
after they are collected to prevent them from being damaged. It is best to bring in samples Monday through Wednesday. Hopefully we will be able to identify samples here, but if we need to send samples or a picture on to our labs at Montana State University in Bozeman we will do so. Also please bring as much information about the sample as possible such as degree of
infestation and when you started to notice the infestation, location(s) found, explanations of the
concern, damages being done by the pest or behavior of the insect or spider.

To stop the spread of Noxious Weeds in Montana, The Department of Agriculture has developed
a Noxious Weed Seed Free Forage Program.  Additionally, NWSFF forage is used by hunters or for recreational trips on state land. In order to certify forage weed free in Montana it has to be physically inspected within 7 days of harvest. Straw can be inspected within 14 days of harvest. Producers need to call the Extension Office (406)-778-7110 48 hours before they intend to cut forage. Producers will be charged for the acres harvested
for NWSFF. Certified hay must be marked either with Montana Certified Weed Free Twine or
can be tagged by the bale. Both forms of identification are available through the office. Please
call (406) 778-7110 for more information or to request a field inspection. 

When cereal grains are grown under stressful conditions these crops can accumulate high levels
of nitrate that are toxic to livestock and can be very costly. The free Nitrate QuikTest that is
available through our Extension Office will tell you if Nitrate is present or not and will give you
some idea of level. To have a quantitative Nitrate level we can send in samples. 
The best time to sample forages for Nitrate levels is before the forage is cut. Nitrate levels fluctuate during the day with the nitrate level being the highest in the morning. Please sample your field at approximately the same time you intend to cut it or first thing in the morning. Cut the sample plants directly at the
ground level or bring in the entire plant. We suggest getting samples from a number of different
locations in the field and label each sample. Pay extra attention to any portion of the field that
may not receive as much water, has been stressed for some reason, or has a difference in soil type than the rest. Depending on the result of the nitrate test you may want to cut and bale some sections separately. 

To identify plants and weeds we ask that you bring in the whole plant with the roots, if possible. If possible collect the plant in its flowering state. In the case of trees we need eight to ten inches of a branch with multiple leaves. Pictures of whole plants and trees as well as their
location are helpful in identification. Fresh samples are best for accurate results. Please share with us as much information about the sample as you can. It is best to bring in samples Monday through Wednesday. Hopefully we will be able to identify samples here, but if we need to send samples or a picture on to our labs at Montana State University in Bozeman we will do so. 

To identify plant diseases we ask that you bring in the whole plant with the roots. Fresh samples
are best for accurate results. Collect samples with mild, moderate and severe symptoms. In addition, it may also help to bring in a healthy specimen. Keep some soil around the root ball, wrap roots in a dry paper towel and bring them to the Extension office in a plastic bag. Please share as much information about the plant as you can. (Plant Variety; Irrigated or Dry-land; Soil
Type; Crop History; Chemicals used-Fertilizers, Herbicides, Fungicides, Seed Treatments; Seeding Rates and Dates; Environmental concerns-rainfall, temperature extremes, heavy winds; Pattern of symptoms in the field; Previous known problems or diseases in the same field). It is best to bring in samples Monday through Wednesday. Hopefully we will be able to identify samples here, but if we need to send samples or a picture on to our labs at Montana State University in Bozeman we will do so.

The state is split into five regions and each region is placed on a five-year renewal cycle. To keep your private applicator’s license you must obtain 6 renewal credits within the five year cycle. All Private Pesticide Applicators must acquire 6 credits before December 31, 2026.  The Fallon County Extension Office, the County Weed District and
other area Extension offices organize training and programs for renewal credits throughout the
year. Please contact the Extension office for a schedule of programs available.

To obtain your Initial Pesticide Applicator’s License: Applicators in the State of Montana will
need to pass an open book exam through the MSU Extension Fallon County Office to obtain
their initial license. Study guides are available for purchase at the MSU  Extension Fallon County Office. Please call (406) 778-7110 to schedule your exam.

Our Extension office uses an outside lab for testing soil and there is a fee schedule for soil testing
dependent on the type of test results desired. It is important to collect representative samples.
Soil types can change many times in one location. For best results, it may be better to have multiple samples if the area you are inquiring about is a large area. Samples need to be around a cup for each test that you want performed and samples should be 1 to 6 inches deep. Please label
samples appropriately with your name, sample date, and how you want your sample identified. It is best to bring in samples Monday through Wednesday. Our office can provide you with a soil probe and more information if needed, call or stop by to reserve one.