Tansy in pastures

Question: We have several pastures that are thick with tansy. What kind of service will be able to get rid of it for us?

responder: Hayley White - Small Farms Outreach Coordinator Replied July 30, 2024, 1:12 PM EDT
response: Hi Alice,  I'm glad you reached out, tansy ragwort is an awful weed and it looks like you have a lot of it.  Could you clarify your question for me? Are you looking to hire someone to come to your pastures and treat the tansy ragwort or would you like advice to treat it yourself?  There are options where you could hire someone for that work or I can help you develop a treatment plan to do yourself. Either one will require repeated treatments and a change in grazing management.  The Oregon Department of Agriculture used to have biological control agents (ragwort fleabeetle and cinnabar moth larvae) available to land managers, but surveys have found that those insects are well populated across the Willamette Valley, so they no longer have that program.  Here is a helpful article on managing tansy ragwort for more information - https://extension.oregonstate.edu/pests-weeds-diseases/weeds/tansy-ragwort  If you have follow-up questions, please let me know.

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 30, 2024, 4:51 PM EDT
response: We definitely need help in finding someone to spray the tansy. We are an elderly couple who are unable to treat it ourselves.  On Tue, Jul 30, 2024 at 10:12 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

responder: Hayley White - Small Farms Outreach Coordinator Replied July 31, 2024, 2:33 PM EDT
response: Hi Alice,  I completely understand. I reached out to our partners at the Marion Soil and Water Conservation District and they have a list of conservation contractors on their website. Some of them are services for weed and brush management.   List of Contractors from Marion SWCD https://www.marionswcd.net/conservation-directory/  This list isn't all vetted through the SWCD but it is a list that you could start with and see if they offer weed and pasture renovation services.  The Marion SWCD also asked me which area of Marion County you're located in. There might be other programs that could be helpful depending on the area.  Let me know your area and if you have any other questions. Becky Pineda at the Marion SWCD will also be a helpful contact.  <personal data hidden> or 503.949.1518

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 31, 2024, 5:45 PM EDT
response: Thanks for the information. Our location is between Silverton Falls and the Oregon Garden. Another way to describe it is 8 miles from downtown Silverton and 10 miles from Stayton. The address is 2125 Driftwood Creek RdSE Sublimity 97385  Sent from my iPhone On Jul 31, 2024, at 11:33 AM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:   ﻿

responder: Hayley White - Small Farms Outreach Coordinator Replied August 01, 2024, 6:35 PM EDT
response: Hi Alice,  Thank you for the additional information. The Marion SWCD shared a helpful lead with me and I could discuss some options with you over the phone.  I'd like to have a few more details from you, like if you have animals in the pasture now and your timeline. Now isn't the best time to apply herbicide, but we could make a plan for the fall and find a local service to do it for you.  If you're available to talk, you can give me a call at<personal data hidden>.