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Show Young Adult Conservsllon Corp. from Kanab spent nine days In Panguitch Valley recently picking blossoms and grubbing out plants to prevent seed dispersal. Directed by Larry (Griffith. Bureau of Land Management. Cedar City and Persistent efforts in the county noxious weed program to control Musk Thistle are showing results, says Verl Matthews, USU extension agent. "Support for our season's efforts are coming from county commissoiners, county weed board, Utah Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Land Management and ranchers in Panguitch Valley," he explained. Musk Thistle, characterized with large purple blossoms, reaches heights up to six feet tall and becomes an aggressive invader on rangelands, alfalfa fields, small grain fields and pastures. Crop yields are reduced and livestock tend to waste contaminated feed. Ranchers also run the risk of having their infested crops quarantined. "Once a crop is quarantined," says supervised by Virgil Anderson, these youth preented Musk Thistle seed from getting dispersed throughout Panguitch Valley and on adjacent public lands. Hopefully within a year or two. this weed can be eradicated completely. Noxious Weeds Getting Attention from Agent Lowell Bagley. district agricultural inspector, "it cannot be moved off the farm for sale If fed on the farm, all livestock eating the contaminated feed must be confined to noncontaiminated feed for 48 hours prior to leaving the farm or the rancher is subject to legal penalties." Introduced into Panguitch Valley about 15 years ago. Musk Thistle is now scattered over about 200 acres Garfield County Spray Supervisor, Virgil Anderson, worked exclusively on this weed with the county com mission providing chemical and spray service without cost to ranchers so fence rows and ditch banks could be sprayed. Virgil Anderson is now working on Russian Knapweed in Bryce Valley this week. All ranchers in Bryce Valley are asked to give their support in cleaning out this weed in that area |