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The Butler County Weed Department administers the Kansas Noxious Weed Law (KSA 2-1314) in Butler County. We treat all noxious weeds found on county property and contract with Kansas Department of Transportation, railroads, townships, and individuals to treat noxious weeds. We also share the cost of herbicides required by landowners and operators in the county to treat noxious weeds on their property. We annually treat 13,000 acres of Bindweed, 10,000 of which is on farms. The increased grain production is worth $1.2 to $1.5 million. If fed to livestock, its value is multiplied 3 to 5 times.      We inspect approximately 2,000 acres for musk thistle and treat 400 acres. This is declining approximately 10% each year even though new infestations are discovered each year. The primary benefit of musk thistle control is preventing it from spreading into productive grasslands, which would cause both production losses and treatment costs of approximately $10 per acre each year for a minimum of 5 years.

     The Weed Department supplies the herbicides to treat 4,000 acres of Johnson grass annually. Johnson grass control benefits the farmer by increasing crop yields and by freeing him to shift the ground from the production of a low profit such as wheat to more profitable crops. We also recommend the use of cultural controls that do not require herbicides.

     The county's investment in noxious weed control produces approximately $4 million additional income for area farmers. If the benefits to the livestock industry are considered, it generates an additional $10 million to the county economy.

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GOALS

To Preserve the productivity of the land through noxious weed control

To educate the public about the costs and control of noxious weeds

To educate the public about herbicides and their safe and proper uses

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SERVICES

Cost-sharing on herbicides for noxious weed control

Custom application of herbicides on noxious weeds

Herbicide use recommendations

Equipment Rental
    Field sprayer
    Backpack sprayer
    Wick applicators

Hay and feed inspection

Field inspection

Weed free forage inspection

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EDUCATIONAL SERVICES

Weed Identification

Weed Control Methods

Herbicide Use

Pesticide Stewardship

Pesticide Safety