Spreading cedars, leafy spurge, purple loosestrife and thistle were the topics of discussion among area ranchers and officials at a meeting at the , Quality Inn and Suites Sandhills Convention Center. The meeting was organized by Lincoln County Weed Control Superintendent Mitch Huxoll. Leafy spurge is so tough that a plant grew through an asphalt street in Custer County. It has intruded on crop ground and made at least one field of wheat unable to be harvested. Spurge is a serious problem in parts of Custer County and the Platte River south of Brady, Carhart said.
Patches can claim land within three or four years.
It grows rapidly, from seed to plant in 25 days. Birds must have carried the seeds and dropped them while sitting on the wires. Spurge grows from buds on the roots as well as seeds from the flowers. Disking the plant just spreads the roots and makes the stand larger, Carhart said. And it takes repeated spraying to kill it, he said.