TANSY RAGWORT COST SHARE

Tansy ragwort (Senecio jacobaea) is not known to be established in populations greater than about a tenth of an acre in Stevens County.  However, it is very widespread in western WA and Or and Pend Oreille County to our east has some established areas that cause us concern.  We have verified only a few small outbreaks of this aggressive, toxic invader and all locations are along forested, backcountry roads.  Our best guess is that seeds have been brought in on vehicles or in feed by travelers (hunters, campers, horseback riders) from areas where tansy ragwort is prevalent.  Tansy ragwort has caused economic losses estimated in the tens of millions per year in western Oregon and Washington, due in large part to it's toxicity to livestock.  The plants contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids that are toxic to humans as well as cattle, horses, goats and some wildlife.  Sheep are much more tolerant and have even been used successfully in managed grazing programs for tansy control.  While it is not particularly palatable when growing in the field, the toxins remain present after a contaminated field is cut and  used for hay or silage.  The alkaloids cause degredation of liver function, often with lethal results.  

Tansy ragwort usually behaves as a biennial, but when stressed through either failed control attempts or extreme weather conditions, it can become a short-lived perennial.  Seeds are the main form of reproduction, but it can also re-grow from a damaged root crown, sending up many more branches than it originally had.  Control can be achieved using one or a combination of thorough mechanical removal, site-appropriate herbicides, revegetation of disturbed ground and biological control agents.  Where tansy ragwort is widely established (not here) there has been a great reduction in plant densities over the years due to the release of three different biological control agents, each of which attacks a different part of the plant.  We are not to the level of infestation in Stevens County to justify using biocontrols.  

We hope to keep tansy ragwort from ever becoming established to the extent that it can cause severe economic losses here.  We believe that we have a good chance of eradicating the few small sites we know about and we hope that by offering a cost share program we will be able to jump on any new sites that might come to our attention, allowing us to help eradicate the plant from these sites as well.  

Until further notice, we are offering 100% of the materials and labor needed to control tansy ragwort.  Control methods will vary as necessary from site to site.  Landowners will have to agree to allow us access to the property multiple times during a growing season in order to perform surveys and pre-, post-treatment activities.  

Please contact our office if you suspect you may have seen this plant while driving along a rural road or if you think you may have it on your property.  Help us keep this one from getting a foothold in Stevens County!