Grant County Weed Board re-elects officers, accepts Nutrien chemical bid and keeps 70% cost share for 2024
March 19, 2024 | Grant County, North Dakota
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The Grant County Weed Board met March 19, 2024, at the courthouse in Carson and re-elected Leonard Gerhardt as president while installing Justin Vetter to fill a four‑year seat vacated by Morris Haase.
Secretary and weed officer Merlin Leithold reported a bank balance of $159,717.17 before paying bills. He submitted a TAG grant and a state LAP reimbursement voucher totaling $27,440.55, and said Grant County had not yet reimbursed the board $32,750 for the new truck and bed. Members approved $5,074.81 in bills presented at the meeting; Marty Meyer moved to accept the treasurer’s report and pay the bills, and Dick Woodbury seconded the motion, which carried.
NDSU Extension agent Tessa Osterbauer told the board that pesticide training is available online through March 26 and that three in‑person trainings this season—assisted by Merlin—had strong attendance. She said Extension’s schedule also included 4‑H activities, horticulture workshops and an upcoming event called Quiet Riot.
During old business, Merlin summarized recent outreach: he and a Morton County colleague staffed a Corteva‑sponsored booth at the KFYR Agri‑International show, and the board helped sponsor entertainment at a recent convention.
Merlin reported the new truck and mounted sprayer are located in Elgin in the weed building. He said signage and installation of a new data logger are scheduled for late April or early May.
The board then reorganized. Marty Meyer nominated Gerhardt for president and, after no other nominations, Walker Sabin moved that nominations cease and that the secretary cast a unanimous ballot; the motion passed. Drew Gaugler nominated Dick Woodbury for vice president and the board elected Woodbury by the same unanimous‑ballot procedure. Board members also appointed Merlin Leithold as secretary for 2024.
On procurement, the board opened two chemical supply bids, from Novus Ag. and Nutrien. Members discussed that Novus’s bid included primarily generic products and noted a safety concern that Triumph (a generic for Tordon) requires users to wear goggles, which could pose a problem for some local landowners. After discussion and noting past service from Nutrien, Marty Meyer moved to accept Nutrien’s bid; Dick Woodbury seconded and the motion carried.
Nutrien’s price sheet presented at the meeting included Amine (Platoon) at $13.25 per gallon, Tordon 22K at $50.90 per gallon (sold in 1‑ or 2½‑gallon containers), Liberate at $27.60–$28.90 per gallon depending on container, MSO (with Lecitech) at $18.90 per gallon, Plateau at $118.00 per gallon, DuraCor/HighNoon at $94.00 per gallon, Milestone at $72.25 per quart, Facet L at $124.00 per gallon (2½‑gallon containers only), Method at $357.12 per gallon (2½‑gallon containers only), FreeLexx at $32.75 per gallon, Escort at $2.60 per ounce, and an agreement to accept recycled jugs.
Merlin recommended maintaining the cost‑share program at 70% with the same limits as 2023 and asked the board to authorize him to set chemical prices on the same basis used last year. Walker Sabin moved to allow Merlin to set prices; Justin Vetter seconded and the motion carried.
Members discussed expected sprayer service providers, noting that Randy Lyons and Steven Zenker indicated they plan to return this year. Board members expressed disappointment that drone operator Corey Palm did not return calls from potential customers; Merlin said he confronted Palm at the ag show and received a different account. Merlin also said he will take a 4‑wheeler to Open Road Honda for carburetor work.
Merlin said he will run an ad in the local paper and include the information in the newsletter to notify landowners about upcoming ditch spraying and how to raise concerns. The board set its next meeting for April 18 at 8:00 p.m. MDT at the Carson courthouse. Walker Sabin moved to adjourn and Drew Gaugler seconded; the meeting adjourned at 8:44 p.m.
The meeting record shows no formal contested votes; motions carried by unanimous ballot or by voice vote where recorded. Where dollar amounts or dates were not specified in the minutes, the article states those items as not specified.
Secretary and weed officer Merlin Leithold reported a bank balance of $159,717.17 before paying bills. He submitted a TAG grant and a state LAP reimbursement voucher totaling $27,440.55, and said Grant County had not yet reimbursed the board $32,750 for the new truck and bed. Members approved $5,074.81 in bills presented at the meeting; Marty Meyer moved to accept the treasurer’s report and pay the bills, and Dick Woodbury seconded the motion, which carried.
NDSU Extension agent Tessa Osterbauer told the board that pesticide training is available online through March 26 and that three in‑person trainings this season—assisted by Merlin—had strong attendance. She said Extension’s schedule also included 4‑H activities, horticulture workshops and an upcoming event called Quiet Riot.
During old business, Merlin summarized recent outreach: he and a Morton County colleague staffed a Corteva‑sponsored booth at the KFYR Agri‑International show, and the board helped sponsor entertainment at a recent convention.
Merlin reported the new truck and mounted sprayer are located in Elgin in the weed building. He said signage and installation of a new data logger are scheduled for late April or early May.
The board then reorganized. Marty Meyer nominated Gerhardt for president and, after no other nominations, Walker Sabin moved that nominations cease and that the secretary cast a unanimous ballot; the motion passed. Drew Gaugler nominated Dick Woodbury for vice president and the board elected Woodbury by the same unanimous‑ballot procedure. Board members also appointed Merlin Leithold as secretary for 2024.
On procurement, the board opened two chemical supply bids, from Novus Ag. and Nutrien. Members discussed that Novus’s bid included primarily generic products and noted a safety concern that Triumph (a generic for Tordon) requires users to wear goggles, which could pose a problem for some local landowners. After discussion and noting past service from Nutrien, Marty Meyer moved to accept Nutrien’s bid; Dick Woodbury seconded and the motion carried.
Nutrien’s price sheet presented at the meeting included Amine (Platoon) at $13.25 per gallon, Tordon 22K at $50.90 per gallon (sold in 1‑ or 2½‑gallon containers), Liberate at $27.60–$28.90 per gallon depending on container, MSO (with Lecitech) at $18.90 per gallon, Plateau at $118.00 per gallon, DuraCor/HighNoon at $94.00 per gallon, Milestone at $72.25 per quart, Facet L at $124.00 per gallon (2½‑gallon containers only), Method at $357.12 per gallon (2½‑gallon containers only), FreeLexx at $32.75 per gallon, Escort at $2.60 per ounce, and an agreement to accept recycled jugs.
Merlin recommended maintaining the cost‑share program at 70% with the same limits as 2023 and asked the board to authorize him to set chemical prices on the same basis used last year. Walker Sabin moved to allow Merlin to set prices; Justin Vetter seconded and the motion carried.
Members discussed expected sprayer service providers, noting that Randy Lyons and Steven Zenker indicated they plan to return this year. Board members expressed disappointment that drone operator Corey Palm did not return calls from potential customers; Merlin said he confronted Palm at the ag show and received a different account. Merlin also said he will take a 4‑wheeler to Open Road Honda for carburetor work.
Merlin said he will run an ad in the local paper and include the information in the newsletter to notify landowners about upcoming ditch spraying and how to raise concerns. The board set its next meeting for April 18 at 8:00 p.m. MDT at the Carson courthouse. Walker Sabin moved to adjourn and Drew Gaugler seconded; the meeting adjourned at 8:44 p.m.
The meeting record shows no formal contested votes; motions carried by unanimous ballot or by voice vote where recorded. Where dollar amounts or dates were not specified in the minutes, the article states those items as not specified.
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