The Montana State University Extension Pesticide Education Program is offering a pest management tour for pesticide applicators at eight locations across southwest Montana from Oct. 15-18.
In order, the tour will visit Dillon, Deer Lodge, Helena, Townsend, Whitehall, Ennis, Clyde Park and Bozeman. At each stop, speakers will present on a variety of topics, including forage insect pests, weed management, bird and ground squirrel management, pesticide performance and water quality, biological control of weeds, annual grass identification and management, and rangeland weed management. Presentations will vary by location.

Tour speakers include:
Hayes Goosey, MSU Extension forage specialist.
Tim Seipel, MSU Extension cropland weed specialist.
Stephen Vantassel, Montana Department of Agriculture vertebrate pest specialist.
Cecil Tharp, MSU Extension pesticide education specialist.
Melissa Maggio from the Montana Weed Biocontrol Program.
Jane Mangold, MSU Extension rangeland specialist.
Private applicators can attend morning or afternoon sessions for three credits or both sessions for six credits. Commercial applicator credits are also available and can be viewed on the MSU Pesticide Education Program website or at montana.edu/extension/pesticides/events/pmt.html.
Individuals in the state’s Private Applicator Training District 2 need to earn six private applicator credits before Dec. 31 to avoid losing their private applicator certification, according to Tharp. Applicators can check their credits on the MSU Pesticide Education Program website by selecting "license and credit search" and entering their license number. Applicators can also contact their local MSU Extension office for license information.

Register by Oct. 10 by contacting Elizabeth D'Imperio, Gallatin County MSU Extension agent, at 406-582-3280 or elizabeth.dimperio@montana.edu.
A detailed program agenda is available online at montana.edu/extension/pesticides/events/pmt.html. Information is also available from local MSU Extension offices. For other questions, contact Tharp at 406-994-5067 orctharp@montana.edu.
The MSU Extension Pesticide Education Program is an educational program promoting the proper use of pesticides to protect public health and the environment. The program supports all applicators, businesses and homeowners by combining educational resources and knowledge from scientists, governmental agencies and the public.