WALLOWA COUNTY WEED FREE FORAGE INSPECTION PROGRAM

INTRODUCTION

There is a growing demand in North America for the use of certified noxious weed free forage and straw as a preventive program to limit the spread of noxious weeds. This voluntary inspection program is designed to assure that forage and straw sold with proper inspection identification meets minimum standards designed to limit the spread of noxious weeds. Buyers are provided assurance that forage and straw, inspected through this program, meet these minimum standards.

These inspection standards comply with and in some cases exceed the North America Weed Free Forage Certification Standards developed by the Regional Weed Free Committee of the North American Weed Management Association. The North America Weed Free Forage Committee has established minimum standards to allow uniform participation by states and provinces in the program. Forage and straw inspection under the program with proper markings attached will be eligible to be shipped into restricted areas where only forage and straw inspected under the North America Weed Free Forage Certification Standards can be used.

The various inspections that are an integral part of this program minimize the opportunity for misleading or fraudulent actions on the part of the applicants participating in the program. However, the production and distribution of inspected material depends on the integrity of those participating in the program.

It is the responsibility of every member of the Wallowa County Weed Free Forage Inspection Program to abide by the rules, adhere to the standards, and report irregularities or violations.

FIELD INSPECTION APPLICATION

Applicants desiring to have their forage and/or straw inspected must apply to the Wallowa County Inspection Program on an application form supplied by the County. Forms are available upon request from:

Wallowa County Extension Services
668 NW First
Enterprise, Oregon 97828
541-426-3143

Applications must be received ten (10) working days prior to cutting. Late applications may result in the field inspection not being made.
A Afield@ is defined as the area occupied by one crop, covered by one inspection report and not divided by streams, public roads, other crops, or other barriers that materially increase the difficulty of inspection. If the inspected forage or straw field is also being inspected for certified seed production, indicate the corresponding seed production field number(s) on the application form.

FIELD INSPECTIONS

To be eligible for forage or straw inspection, fields must be inspected by the County Weed Free Forage Inspector before harvest. A crop that is harvested prior to inspection is not eligible for certification. It is the applicant=s responsibility to ensure that the crop has been inspected before harvest.

Field inspection is a thorough examination of the forage or straw production site to confirm compliance with the inspection standards. The inspector will make a visual inspection of the field and entire field border. County inspection procedures will follow the guidelines established by the North America Weed Free Forage Standards. Any condition(s) which are apt to make inspection inaccurate or bring the certification process into disfavor, shall be cause for rejection.

FIELD STANDARDS

Forage and straw shall be free of those noxious weeds and undesirable plant species identified in Appendix A.

1. In Wallowa County, forage and straw fields shall be inspected by the County Weed Free Forage Inspector.
2. Forage and straw shall be inspected in the field of origin. The field shall include the surrounding ditches, fence rows, roads, easements, grass waterways, or a buffer zone surrounding the field.
3. The field must be inspected by County Inspector prior to cutting or harvesting.
4. Forage which contains any noxious weeds, or undesirable plant species, as identified in Appendix A, may be certified if the following requirements are met:

a) Field upon which the forage was produced was treated to prevent seed formation or seed ripening to the degree that there is no danger of dissemination of the seed, or any injurious portion thereof from such noxious weeds, or undesirable plant species, or the propagating parts of the plant are not capable of producing a new plant.
2) Noxious weed(s) or undesirable plant species was treated not later than rosette to bud stage, or boot stage for perennial grass species classified as weeds, prior to cutting or harvesting.
3) Treatment method can include but is not limited to: 1) burning, 2) mowing, cutting or rouging, 3) mechanical methods, or 4) chemicals.

5. An A Inspection Certificate@ shall be issued by Wallowa County indicating that the above requirements have been met based upon field inspection.

MAINTAINING IDENTITY OF HARVESTED FORAGE

The applicant must keep accurate records of the amount of forage or straw harvested from each field including where the forage or straw is stored after harvest. The following records must be maintained:
1. The number and average weight of bales harvested;
2. The exact location where bales are stored;
3. Date of harvest;
4. Field number and location of the field where the product was produced;
5. Copies of all certification documents; and
6. Current inventory records.

CERTIFICATION MARKINGS

Inspection tags and/or Transit Certificates will be issued for eligible forage or straw, by Wallowa County Extension Office, upon request by applicant. Applicants may request inspection tags and/or Transit Certificates by declaring the amount of forage or straw harvested on the AInspection Certificate@.

APPENDIX A

Regional Designated Noxious Weed and Undesirable Plant List

The following weeds have been designated as noxious or undesirable in the Regional Weed Free forage Certification Standards:

1. Absinth Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) 30. Perennial sowthistle (Sonchus arvensis)
2. Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) 31. Plumeless thistle (Carduus acanthoides)
3. Buffalobur (Solanum rostratum) 32. Poison hemlock (Conium maculatum)
4. Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense) 33. Puncturevine (Tribulus terrestris)
5. Common burdock (Arctium minus) 34. Quackgrass(Agropyron repens)
6. Common crupina (Crupina vulgaris) 35. Rush skeletonweed (Chondrilla jucea)
7. Common Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) 36. Russian knapweed (Centaurea repens)
8. Dalmation toadflaz (Linaria dalmatica) 37. Scentless chamomile (Matricaria
9. Diffuse knapweed (Centaurea diffusa) maritima)
10. Dyers woad (Isatis tinctoria) 38. Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius)
11. Field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis) 39. Scotch thistle (Onopordum acanthium)
12. Hemp (Marijuana) (Cannabis sativa) 40. Silverleaf nightshade (Solanum
13. Henbane, Black (Hyoscyanmus niger) elaeagnifolium)
14. Hoary cress (Cardaria draba desu L.) 41. Skeletonleaf bursage (Ambrosia
15. Horsenettle (Solarun carolinense) tomentosa)
16. Houndstonge (Cynaglossum officinale L.) 42. Spotted knapweed (Centaurea maculosa)
17. Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense) 43. Squarrose knapweed (Centaurea virgata)
18. Jointed Goatgrass (Aegilops cylindrica) 44. St. Johns wort (Hypericum perforatum)
19. Leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula) 45. Sulfur cinquefoil (potentilla recta)
20. Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria L.) 46. Syrian beancaper(Zygophllum fabago L.)
21. Matgrass (Nardus stricta) 47. Tansy ragwort (Senecia jacobaea)
22. Meadow knapweed (Centaurea seula) 48. Toothed supuge (Euphoria dentata)
23. Medusa head (Taeniatherum caput-medusae) 49. Wild oats (Avena fatua)
24. Milium (Milium vernale) 50. Wild proso millet ( Panicum millicium)
25. Musk thistle (Carduus nutans) 51. Yellow hawkweed(Hieracium pratense)
26. Orange hawkweed (Hieracium auranthiacum) 52. Yellow starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis)
27. Oxeye daisy (Chrysanthemum Leucanthemum) 53. Yellow toadflax (Linaria vulgaris)
28. Perennial pepperweed (Lepidium latifolium)
29. Perennial sorghum (Sorghum almum)

APPENDIX B

APPLICANT=S RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Submit the application for field inspection ten (10) working days prior to cutting, for forage. Application must include:
a. a map indicating location of field;
b. indication of whether the field is being applied for under the seed certification program.
c. the field inspection fee; and
d. approximate cutting date.
2. Prepare the field for inspection. Treat noxious weeds and undesirable plant species (see Appendix A) adjacent to the production field as described in the standards. If noxious weeds in adjacent areas are not treated, a 10-foot wide isolation/buffer strip must be established by mowing or cultivation.
3. All fields must be inspected prior to harvest by Wallowa County Inspector to qualify for certification. Notify Wallowa County Weed Free Forage Inspector if your fields are within a week of cutting and you do not have an inspection report indicating that the field has been inspected.
4. If the field meets certification standards, proceed to Step 6. If the field does not meet the standards, proceed to the ARe-inspection Procedures@ below.
5. Maintain the identity of all forage or straw harvested from fields meeting the certification standards. The forage or straw must be stored separate from uncertified forage or straw. A written record of certified material stored at this site must be maintained.
6. Request transportation certificates by submitting the number and size of the packages/bales from each eligible field to the Extension Office
7. Attach the certification tags provided by Wallowa County to eligible forage or supply purchaser with transit certificates.
8. Prior to harvest, members should clean all equipment before entering a field.

Re-inspection Procedures : (To be used when a portion of field does not meet the certification standards - i.e. noxious weeds in the field and/or lack of required isolation/buffer strips.)

1. Make the required correction(s) as indicated on the inspection report by the Weed Inspector.
2. Contact the Weed Inspector for re-inspection to verify that the required corrections have been completed. A re-inspection fee will be charged.
3. Proceed to Step 6 above.

WALLOWA COUNTY AND EXTENSION OFFICE RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Oregon State University Extension will supply each grower with instructions and materials for making applications for field inspections;
2. Wallowa County will provide a weed inspection.
3. OSU Extension will issue labels for product that qualifies under the certification standards.
4. OSU Extension will maintain records including field applications, inspection reports and the serial numbers of tags issued.

WALLOWA COUNTY FORAGE INSPECTION PROGRAM

Noxious Weed Free Forage and Straw
Field Inspection Procedures

INTRODUCTION:

The purpose of the Noxious Weed Free Forage and Straw (NWFF&S) certification program is to prevent the spread of noxious weeds. Wallowa County standards meet or exceed standards developed by the Regional Weed Free Forage Committee of the North American Weed Management Association. These standards were established to assure uniformity between states and provinces in the development and implementation of individual noxious weed free forage and straw programs. The Regional Weed Free Forage committee has established a list of noxious weed seeds and propagating materials that are not permitted in any material that is to be entered into the program. NOTE: See Appendix A. In addition to these weeds Wallowa County is including the following:

Night flowering catch fly Silene noctiflora
White campion Silene alba
Redroot Pigweed Amaranthus retroflexus
Jim Hill Mustard Sisymbrium altissimum
Tansymustard, pinnate Descurainia pinnata
Netseed lambsquarter Chenopodium berlandieri
Shepard’s-purse Capsella bursa-pastoris
Field pennycress Thlaspi arvense
Prickly lettuce Lactuca serriola
Fiddleneck tarweed Amsinckia intermedia
Common mallow Malva neglecta
Common mullein Verbascum thapsus
Common teasal Dipsacus fullomum
Black nightshade Solanum nigrum
Hairy nightshade Soanum sarrachoidees
Catchweed bedstraw Galium aparine
Green Foxtail Setaria viridis
Smartweed (sp) Polygonaceae
Curly dock Rumex crispus
Western salsify Tragopogon dubius
Wild buckwheat Polygonum convolvulus
Kochia Kochia scoparia
Barnyardgrass Echinochloa crus-galli

INSPECTOR CERTIFICATION:

As field inspectors, it is required that you read and understand the specific standards and inspection procedures for this program. An inspection training session will be required each year.

APPLICATIONS:

Field inspection applications for noxious weed free forage and straw fields will be assigned to the field inspector by the field supervisor at the earliest possible date. It is the responsibility of the field inspector to complete the field inspection before harvest. It is the responsibility of the applicant to notify Wallowa county if they are ready to harvest and the field has not been inspected. Any field not inspected before harvest will be ineligible for the program.

INSPECTIONS:

Inspections of NWFF&S fields consist of identifying noxious weeds in the field and adjacent
areas of the fields such as other fields, road ditches, fence rows, waterways, rock or brush piles or other areas. All inspections for this program must be accurate and thorough.

WHEN TO INSPECT:

For materials to be eligible for the NWFF&S certification program, all field inspections must take place prior to harvest. It is recommended that all forage fields be inspected within ten (10) days of harvest. Fields in which straw will be harvested can be inspected two weeks prior to harvest or when more appropriate prior to baling. If other corrections need to be made this will allow the applicant time to make the correction prior to re-inspection.

WALKING THE FIELD:

The procedures used for walking NWFF&S fields are different from those methods used for walking fields for certified seed inspection. There shall be a minimum of two entry points per field. There shall be a minimum of one entry point per each 10 acres. Each point of entry shall be at least 150 feet into the field, and each additional 150 feet traveled shall constitute an entry point. Travel shall be uninterrupted, proceeding through the field being inspected. The entire field border shall be walked or driven. Fields shall be inspected within 10 days prior to harvest. An inspector may not inspect fields of which said inspector has ownership or financial interest. If there is a heavy infestation of weeds other than those on the noxious weed list, the inspector should make note of it in the comment section of the inspection certificate.

DETERMINING FIELD STATUS:

If any noxious weeds are found in the field during the field inspection, the field must be rejected. The field may be re-inspected at a later date, however in order for the field to pass a second inspection, the applicant must make the necessary correction to eliminate the cause for rejection. NOTE: If fields being inspected for the NWFF&S program are also being inspected for certified seed, field reports must be completed and field status must be determined for each individual program. A field may meet the criteria of one program but not another.

Tolerance

1. No noxious weeds on Wallowa County’s “A” list

2. No weeds on NAWMA list with reproductive parts.

3. No weeds found on NAWMA list that would cause quality impairment

4. No undesirable plants in a form to cause quality impairments.

Grades of Wallowa County weed free forage

Premium grade ---meets all 4 criteria above
Reclamation Grade --- meets criteria 1 & 2 above

FIELD CORRECTIONS:

Options are to cut, mow or avoid the infested areas at harvest time. If the area has been cut, mowed or avoided at harvest time, the areas must also be left undisturbed so the inspector can verify, during the re-inspection, that the infested areas were not harvested.

FIELD BORDERS:

Areas adjacent to fields inspected under the NWFF&S certification program are required to be free of noxious weeds. Adjacent areas include: other fields, road ditches, waterways, fence lines, rock or brush piles or any other areas that may serve as a source of noxious weed contamination. When adjacent areas contain noxious weeds, a 10-foot buffer zone must be established by mowing, cutting, cultivating or spraying between the production field and the noxious weed infested area. Any borders not maintained in accordance with the standards at the time of field inspection must be rejected. The applicant will have the opportunity to make the border correction. A re-inspection will be required and additional fees paid.

BORDER CORRECTIONS:

If the field is rejected due to non-maintenance of adjacent areas, the applicant has the option of establishing a buffer zone to separate the field to be harvested from the source of noxious weed infestation. This buffer zone must be a minimum of 10-feet wide and may be established by mowing, cutting, cultivating or spraying. The buffer zone must be established in a manner that allows the inspector to check the area at the time of re-inspection to verify that no material from the buffer zone was harvested as certified material. It is recommended that 2 rows be cut before inspection (this is not required but will speed the inspection process and aid in assuring proper borders are maintained.)

Storage:

The storage area is to be a weed free environment or the producer must not include the bottom bales when shipping.

Warranty

The Wallowa County Hay/Straw inspection program expressly represents that it has acted in accordance with those standards and procedures established for hay/straw inspection in Wallowa County. The issuance of an inspection certificate neither warrants that any other person or entity has acted in accordance with such standards and procedures, nor constitutes any other warranty, express or implied including merchantability or fitness for purpose or otherwise which extends beyond that the certification that the product inspected met the regulations of the program.