Making Ditch Hay

Hay producers wishing to harvest ditch hay in state, county or township ditches need to be aware that the herbicides used by Morton County Weed Control to control noxious weeds may have a haying/grazing restriction.  This means that a certain amount of time must pass after herbicide application and grazing or haying operations may begin.  The restrictions are dependent upon the specific herbicide used and are listed on the product label.  Since spraying operations are dependent upon the weather, wind direction and adjacent crop, Morton County Weed Control cannot develop a schedule as to when a certain area will be sprayed.  Hay producers should contact the Weed Control Office to determine what, if any, restrictions apply for the area they wish to cut for hay.

Hay producers wishing to not have any herbicides applied in the ditches that they wish to cut for hay should also contact the Weed Control Office to identify those areas.  The spray applicators will be notified to check those areas for noxious weeds after the ditch has been hayed; this most likely will be done in the fall.

For questions or to post a road ditch as a no spray zone for haying purposes, please contact the Weed Control Office.