Transcript WEED-FREE FORAGE CERTIFICATION Jeanetta Cooper Plant Protection/Weed Free Certification Programs Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry.

WEED-FREE FORAGE
CERTIFICATION
Jeanetta Cooper
Plant Protection/Weed Free
Certification Programs
Oklahoma Department of
Agriculture, Food, and Forestry
Weed Free Forage
 ODAFF received the Legislative directive in
the fall of 2009.
 Rules written and approved by Board of
Agriculture in March 2010.
 Signed by governor July 1, 2010.
 Published July 15, 2010.
 Effective 10 days after publication.
Why is there a demand for WFF?
 Federal lands such as Forest Service,
National Parks, Bureau of Land Management
and other government agencies are requiring
certified hay and mulch.
 Departments of Transportation in many states
requires certified mulch.
 Public awareness has increased regarding
invasive weeds.
WFF Program
 Voluntary program.
 Provides a uniform set of minimum requirements for
hay and mulch.
 Provides access to new markets.
 Reduces the spread of noxious weeds.
 Provides continuity between states:
Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, Wyoming,
Kansas, Nebraska, Nevada, Montana, Colorado,
Idaho, Iowa, Alaska, Arizona, Illinois, Indiana,
Wisconsin, Oregon, Washington, and Alberta
Canada.
What can be certified?
 Straw
 Alfalfa
 Native grasses
 Forage grasses
 Anything that is not on a weed list!
What can’t be certified?
 Propagative stages of weeds are
PROHIBITED and includes bud, flowering,
seed stage, or senescence.
 There are 54 species on the North American
Weed Free Forage List: www.nawma.org
 The list is comprised of several states’ lists.
Prohibited weeds
Jointed goat grass
Puncture vine
Poison hemlock
Musk thistle
Toothed spurge
St. Johnswort
Bull thistle
Bermuda grass
Buffalo bur
Field bindweed
Sericea lespedeza
Johnson grass
Sulfur cinquefoil
Horse nettle
Marijuana
Steps for certification
1. Submit application at least 10 days before
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
harvest.
Field inspection is scheduled.
Field is inspected (client is welcome to
accompany the inspector).
Findings are reported and field is approved
for certification or remediation.
Harvest after approval.
Transit certificate(s) issued.
1. Submit Application
 Field(s) location and directions
 Acres (estimate)
 Crop
 Bale size
 Destination (if known)
 $25.00 application fee
Application
can be
mailed,
faxed, or
emailed to
office.
Field standards
 Minimum of 2 entry points per field.
 Entire border is walked or driven.
 Travel through the field being inspected shall
be uninterrupted.
 Storage area shall be inspected and must
meet the standards.
2. Inspection guidelines
 Field shall be inspected within 10 days prior to
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harvest.
The entire field border will be walked or driven.
Inspector notes the growth stages of any prohibited
weeds in the field for future use in case field has to
be re-inspected.
Inspector flags the presence of any weeds in the
prohibited stages and designates on inspection map.
Inspector notes on map any draws, ditches, trees,
water or other topographical features.
3. Inspection procedure
 Client is provided with a map showing the
results of the inspection.
 Parts of a field may not be certified if listed
weeds are present and at a stage of growth
where seed could be produced before harvest.
 Producer has opportunity to remediate weed
infestation and request re-inspection.
4. Inspection
report
5. Harvest after approval.
 Field is harvested after approval
 If remediation is an option, re-inspection can
be scheduled.
6. Transit or shipping certificates
 After harvest, client reports number and size of
bales from each field.
 Client requests the Transit Certificate.
 Original Transit Certificate must accompany
each shipment.
Procedure
 To certify or not to certify – What does your
buyer want?
 Know your market
 ODAFF only certifies Weed Free status and
does not sell or broker hay and forage
 Producer has option to be listed as WFF on
ODAFF’s hay directory
 Helpful websites:
www.ag.ok.gov
www.nawma.org
Who Should Promote or Buy
Certified Forage?
 Producers and consumers.
 Forage buyers and hay brokers.
 Outdoor recreationists, hunters, outfitters, and
sportsmen.
 Federal and State Agencies such as highway
departments, reclamation and restoration
projects.
 Private construction companies.
2012 Certification
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2,253 total acres
180 acres oat hay
344 acres mixed prairie grass hay
1,729 acres wheat straw
Caddo, Canadian, Kay, Major, McClain, and
Texas counties.
Oat hay was certified for transport to New
Mexico Forestry Department for winter forage.
2013 Certification
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4,136 total acres
40 acres oat hay
21 acres mixed prairie grass hay
Custer, Kay, Major, and Noble counties.
Certification Benefits
 Producers have a quality product to market.
 Producers are more aware of management
education.
 Buyers obtain a marketable and transportable
product.
 States become involved in weed management
and clean forage practices.
 Opportunity to move forage freely in restricted
areas.
CONTACT:
Jeanetta Cooper
Plant Protection/Certification Programs
PO Box 528804
Oklahoma City OK 73152-8804
405-522-5971 - office
405-522-4584 – fax
405-206-7594 – mobile
[email protected]
www.ag.ok.gov