Special Concerns and Management Approach 2006-2007


• Chem-fallow has been used on 12,000 acres to date throughout all three of the METROGRO Farm properties. This approach has shown significant reduction in weed pressure the past two years. The District will continue with this management approach throughout 2007 and into 2008.
• The North Farm has had a rye problem for several years. The eradication effort is a slow but effective process. Through spring/winter crop rotation and continued chemical control applied through chem-fallow, control of the rye problem is making progress.
• 100 Canada Thistle Gall Flies were released on the North Farm in May of 2006. The Gall Fly lay their eggs on the young stems of the Canada thistle in the spring. The eggs hatch and the larvae will tunnel into and through the stems to reduce the plant vigor and decrease the number of seeds it will produce.
• Bindweed along the Beaver Creek in the South Farm continues to be problematic and needs dedicated control measures on a yearly basis. The District worked with the Colorado State Insectary to release the field bindweed mite as an alternative to chemical controls. The mites were released in June 2006 and will take at least two years to establish and begin controlling new patches of bindweed.
• Salt cedar on the South Farm along Beaver Creek is a concern. A long-term approach is needed. Mr. Thompson has been using sheep to graze back the shoots in the spring when the plants leaf out. Between grazing and the hot, dry weather, the salt cedar along some places of the Beaver Creek has been eliminated. Also, the District contracted with Agate Conservation District to remove salt cedar along a one-mile stretch of Beaver Creek in the early spring of 2006. Agate Conservation District removed and piled the salt cedar brush with a bulldozer. The piles of salt cedar were then burned by District staff using the burn permit Agate Volunteer Fire Department issued. This method has proved to be successful in the one-mile stretch where Agate Conservation District began the effort. Plans are to continue removal with the bulldozer throughout 2007.