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Agricultural Sciences Division

Goals and Objectives

NOTE: "To date" and "at this time" refer to the end of the current year. Goals and Objectives are updated annually at the end of the calendar year or the state fiscal year (ending June 30), depending on the program.

Goal:
To ensure efficient and effective management of the department's programs assigned to the division by coordinating all program goals, objectives and performance standards.

To monitor, evaluate and resolve issues concerning goals, objective and performance indicators through the three bureaus in the division including the Field Services Bureau, Technical Services Bureau and Laboratory Bureau for these programs.

Benchmark: The Agricultural Sciences Division is continuing its commitment to the Montana Department of Agriculture and the programs the department serves.

Benchmark Indicators: Indicators will be updated within one month after December 31 and June 30 each year, which coincides with either six months of operations or the conclusion of a calendar year or fiscal year depending on the particular program.

Program Menu:

Agricultural Commodity, Public Warehouseman and Commodity Dealer Program
Alfalfa Leafcutting Bee Registration and Certification Program
Anhydrous Ammonia Program
Apiculture Program
Commercial Feed Program
Commercial Fertilizer Program
Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey Program
Export Certification Program
Groundwater Management Program
Laboratory Service Program
Mint Program
Mosquito Abatement Program
Noxious Weed Management Program
Noxious Weed Seed Free Forage Program
Nursery & Quarantine Program
Organic Program
Pesticide Management Program
Produce Standards, Storage and Merchandising Program
Seed Program
Vertebrate Pest Management Program

Agricultural Commodity, Warehouse and Commodity Dealer Program

Goal:
Protect agricultural producers from financial loss when warehousing and marketing ag commodities.

Benchmark: The state business examiner inspects state warehouses and commodity dealers.

Objectives:
Annually license and bond 160 commodity dealer locations and 25 public warehousemen.

Benchmark: 157 commodity dealer locations and 27 public warehousemen were licensed and bonded through July 2006.

Audit grain and other commodity facilities.

Benchmark: Audits are conducted on a routine basis.

Conduct investigations and resolve complaints between producers and industry.

Benchmark: Two special investigations have been initiated during FY 2007.


Alfalfa Leafcutting Bee Registration and Certification Program

Goal:
Provide timely and efficient laboratory services to alfalfa seed growers.

Objectives:
Register alfalfa leafcutting bee beekeepers.

Benchmark: At this time, 48 beekeepers are registered. Sixteen of these submitted samples for analysis. No samples were submitted for certification.

Analyze alfalfa leafcutting bee samples for diseases and parasites.

Benchmark: Forty-eight samples were analyzed during the most recent reporting period, a 48 percent increase over Fiscal Year 2005.


Anhydrous Ammonia Program

Goals:
Protect the safety and health of persons using or handling anhydrous ammonia, and the surrounding communities.

Review and approve new sites for anhydrous ammonia facilities.

Promote the effective and safe use of anhydrous ammonia.

Objectives:
Inspect anhydrous ammonia facilities to assure that equipment, tanks, sites, safety requirements and procedures comply with the Anhydrous Ammonia Facilities Safety Act and administrative rules.

Benchmark: The program's inspections are ongoing and facilities are scheduled for inspection on a three-year rotation basis. Four facilities were inspected in FY 2006. The department cooperates with law enforcement agencies for investigations of NH3 thefts.

Review and approve new sites for anhydrous ammonia facilities.

Benchmark: New sites are reviewed for compliance with siting requirements and applicable federal, state and local laws.

Provide education and assistance to Montana anhydrous ammonia dealers regarding laws, security, safety, sale and use of anhydrous ammonia.

Benchmark: The department will work with the Montana Agricultural Business Association to provide an NH3 safety education program. To date, the department has provided 79 storage tank locks and 564 nurse tank locks to deter theft at dealer and storage facilities.


Apiculture Program

Goal:
Protect apiary and pollination industry by minimizing the spread of pests and diseases of honeybees.

Protect the nectar and pollen supply for individual apiaries.

Objectives:

Conduct a routine inspection program for regulated pests.

Benchmark: The department has conducted 45 inspections of commercial, hobbyist and landowner beekeeping operations during 2006.

Assure that migratory honeybees meet pest and disease standards.

Benchmark: Issued 31 certificates of health for migratory beekeepers.

Provide services to register each apiary site in the state of Montana.

Benchmark: 143,025 beehives in 5,031 apiaries are registered to 205 beekeepers in the state.

Investigate potential violations of the of the apiary law.

Benchmark: During 2006, 13 complaints were investigated. All were resolved.

Provide technical and educational services to the regulated community and the public.

Benchmark: Two presentations and two media interviews were given.


Commercial Feed Program

Goal:
Protect the consumer by assuring that commercial feeds are correctly and truthfully labeled.

Protect the consumer by assuring that feeds contain safe ingredients, and feeds meet nutritional standards.

Objectives:
Conduct program inspections and collect samples to ensure compliance with state and federal laws regarding labeling, licensing, product safety, and product effectiveness.

Benchmarks: 236 routine inspections were conducted during FY 2006.

Sample commercial feeds and analyze guaranteed ingredients to ensure truthful labeling.

Benchmark: 319 feed samples collected with laboratory analysis completed during FY 2006.

Issue licenses to feed dealers and register pet food products in a prompt and efficient manner.

Benchmark: 654 licenses and 4,291 pet food product registrations issued during the 2006 calendar year as of 10/20/06.

Sample commercial feeds and check for unapproved ingredients.

Benchmarks: Analyzed 127 samples for prohibited animal proteins during FY 2006.

Feeds are sampled, labels and records reviewed and facilities inspected to assure that they contain approved ingredients.

Monitor the use of animal drugs by analyzing samples of commercial feeds.

Under a contract with FDA, the department inspects feed dealers and firms manufacturing feeds for compliance with BSE feed regulations.  (50 inspections during FY 2006)

Inspect feeds entering Montana to ensure that other states and countries comply with the Montana Commercial Feed Law.

Conducted 23 inspections in the first half of FY06 at the Canadian border and at weigh stations.

Investigate potential violations of state and federal feed laws.

Benchmark: Conducted 57 investigations during FY 2006, resulting in the issuance of 14 enforcement actions.

Provide education and assistance to the Montana feed industry and consumers regarding feed laws, sale and production of feeds, and use of feeds.

Benchmark: Education and assistance is provided at meetings and upon request and is a part of field activities.


Commercial Fertilizer Program

Goal:
Protect the consumer by assuring that fertilizers are correctly and truthfully labeled.

Protect the consumer by assuring that fertilizer products contain allowed ingredients and products are effective when used as directed.

Objectives:
Conduct an inspection program to determine compliance with state laws regarding labeling, product safety, licensing, and others.

Benchmark: Conducted 90 routine inspections during the first half of FY 2006.

Sample commercial fertilizers and analyze guaranteed ingredients to ensure truthful labeling.

Benchmark: Collected 205 fertilizer samples in FY 2006 and completed laboratory analysis.

Sample commercial fertilizers to check for compliance with trace metal standards.

Benchmark: 39 samples analyzed for trace metals in FY 2006. All samples tested were within standards.

Issue licenses to fertilizer dealers and register fertilizers in a prompt and efficient manner.

Benchmark: 255 licenses and 2,232 product registrations issued at of 10/20/06 during the 2006 calendar year.

Assure that fertilizers being sold in Montana contain allowed ingredients and are effective.

Benchmark: Labels are reviewed during inspections and when products are sampled as well as at random during the registration process. Monitor the presence of trace metals in products through sample and analysis. 

Inspect fertilizers entering Montana to assure that other states and countries comply with the Montana Commercial Fertilizer Law.

Benchmark: Conducted 50 inpections at the Canadian border and nine inspections at weigh stations during FY 2006.

Investigate potential violations of state and federal fertilizer laws.

Benchmark: 20 investigations completed in calendar 2006, resulting in four enforcement actions. No civil penalties issued.

Provide education and assistance to the Montana fertilizer industry and consumers regarding fertilizer laws, sale and production of fertilizer, and use of fertilizers.

Benchmark: Education and assistance is provided at meetings and upon request and is a part of field activities.

Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey Program

Goal:
Protect Montana agriculture from exotic and indigenous pests.

Preserve markets and facilitate the marketing of commodities.

Prevent economic loss through monitoring and detection of pests.

Objectives:
Conduct surveys of insect pests, plant diseases, weeds, and other pests to detect, monitor, and track infestations.

Benchmark: The department monitors and tracks for the introduction or spread of various pests to determine the need for quarantines, pest management standards or eradication measures.

Survey statistics for 2006:

Gypsy Moth - A total of 393 gypsy moth traps were placed throughout the state. The Forest Service, Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, and other agencies also participate in gypsy moth surveys statewide. No gypsy moths were detected in Montana in 2006.

Japanese Beetle - The statewide effort was concentrated at nurseries and other retail plant outlets. A voluntary monitoring program in Billings involved over 150 traps, concentrated in an area just below the Rimrocks near 24th St. East. Detections in this area totaled 28 beetles in 2006.

Apple Maggot - Traps were set for Apple maggot in Sanders County. No suspects were detected.

Exotic Wood Boring Insects - A statewide survey for wood boring insects using Lindgren funnel traps was conducted at 28 locations statewide. The primary targets of this survey were emerald ash borer, European wood wasp, Asian longhorned beetle, and oak splendor beetle. No suspects were detected.

Cereal Leaf Beetle (CLB) – This is an established insect pest in Montana. The MDA conducts a delimitation survey yearly. Thirty five counties were surveyed to determine the extent of the beetle. Ten counties remain cereal leaf beetle free. Survey activities are necessary in order to certify small grain and hay shipments for export to California and Canada.

Cereal Leaf Beetle bio-control agents - Surveys were conducted throughout the state. The parasitoid Tetrastichus julis was detected in six counties.

Karnal Bunt - A total of 119 wheat samples were collected statewide, based on average production of small grains over a five year period, and analyzed at the USDA APHIS laboratory in Olney, Texas for Karnal bunt spores in accordance with the National Karnal Bunt Sampling Plan. To date all samples have tested negative. This survey is necessary in order maintain exports of small grains to many countries that have import requirements for Karnal bunt.

European Pine Shoot Moth - A total of 155 traps were placed in six western counties and one eastern county in 2006. Two suspects were collected in Kalispell. Subsequent identification by USDA ARS personnel in Beltsville, MD confirmed the preliminary identification. An additional suspect from Baker was confirmed to genus, but species identification was not possible. Sudden Oak Death - The Montana Department of Agriculture conducted 560 sample collections from 15 facilities for Phytophthora ramorum, a blight that affects many nursery and landscape plants. All test results were negative for the pathogen. All results were negative.

Nematodes - A total of 111 samples were collected and submitted to the University of Nebraska Nematology Laboratory for analysis. As of this date, sample analysis is ongoing.

Potato Wart - A total of 150 samples are being collected from seed potato fields. Sample analysis will be completed by the Montana State University Schutter Diagnostic Laboratory. As of this date, sample analysis is ongoing.


Export Certification

Goal:
Minimize the risk of international movement of pests by providing export certification services.

Facilitate the export of Montana agricultural commodities.

Objectives:
Provide export certification upon request.

Benchmark: In Fiscal Year 2006, 1,145 certificates for the export of Montana commodities were issued, including state and federal phytosanitary certificates, federal re-export phytosanitary certificates, federal processed product certificates, and certificates of origin for exports.

Benchmark: 19 Heat Treatment Certificates were issued in FY-06. These are federal certificates that allow solid wood packing material to enter foreign countries if it has been treated to a core temperature for a specific duration of time.

Benchmark: 88 "30-day storage" certificates were issued for the export of small grains to California, to mitigate the risk of spreading cereal leaf beetle.

Benchmark: Five "In-Transit" certificates of origin were issued for the movement of grain through Montana to Canada.

Benchmark: There were zero "No transgenic wheat" certificates issued to companies who ship grain to the west coast for shipment to Asian countries. Some Pacific Rim countries require this statement for grain originating in the U.S.

Groundwater Management Program

Goal:
Protect ground water and the environment from impairment or degradation due to the use or misuse of agricultural chemicals (pesticides and fertilizers).

Provide for the proper management of agricultural chemicals.

Provide for education and training of agricultural applicators and the general public on ground water protection, agricultural chemical use, and the use of alternative agricultural methods.

Benchmark: The protection of ground water is achieved through ongoing education, monitoring, investigation and responses to impairment and contamination of ground water. Proper management of agricultural chemicals is achieved through initial certification and licensing of pesticide applicators, recertification training of applicators, routine inspections, compliance assistance, for-cause investigations, and addressing the presence of agricultural chemicals found in ground water from non-point sources by way of individual and community based educational programs and Specific Management Plans. The Groundwater Management Program maintains an ongoing responsibility to the goal.

Objectives:
Prepare environmental assessments or impact statements when required to comply with Montana Environmental Policy Act and administrative rules.

Benchmark: Technical Services Bureau staff will conduct environmental assessments of Noxious Weed Trust Fund grants between December 2006 and February 2007.

Conduct statewide general and site specific monitoring of ground water and other environmental media for agricultural chemicals.

Benchmark: In 2006, 136 groundwater samples were taken from 80 sites and 20 surface water samples were taken from 10 sites. Each sample was analyzed for 102 pesticides, metabolites and nitrates. Sampling was conducted in the Gallatin Valley, Fairfield Bench and our permanent monitoring network.

Benchmark: The laboratory received 326 samples and performed 1,060 analyses on the submitted samples. Our goal was to perform 750 analyses for this program. In addition, we have collected 108 samples with another 96 expected to be collected during the remainder of the growing season for the ASSERT monitoring between Montana Bureau of Mines and the department.

Develop and use new analytical methods and techniques for the analyses of fertilizer compounds and for new generation pesticides in soil and ground water samples.

Benchmark: The laboratory purchased an LC/MS system and developed/revised new analytical methods for herbicide analysis in water. Utilizing the LC/MS system, the laboratory developed multiresidue methods for sulfonylurea and imidazolinone herbicides. Also, we were able to lower the Method Detection Limit (MDL) for most of these compounds

Laboratory personnel developed our own analytical method for Achieve in ground water. This method still needs to be validated.

Laboratory personnel provided consultation on toxicity, chemical and physical properties, and toxicological effects of agricultural chemicals found in ground water.

Coordinate agricultural chemicals/ground water research and evaluation activities with government agencies, universities and the public.

Benchmark: The Montana Department of Agriculture has worked with the Department of Environmental Quality, Montana EPA, BASF, Syngenta, Aventis, DuPont, Dow Elanco, the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology, Montana Department of Natural Resources & Conservation, the Teton Conservation District, Greenfields Irrigation District, the United States Bureau of Reclamation, the USDA - Natural Resources Conservation Service, Sun River Watershed Group, the Blackfeet Tribe, the Salish & Kootenai Tribe, the National Park Service, U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the North Dakota Department of Agriculture and others regarding ground water and pesticide issues in McCone, Flathead, Glacier, Teton, Yellowstone, and Musselshell counties.

The department will continue to work with federal and state government entities and tribes during FY 2007-2009.

Provide consultation to university researchers, state agencies, farmers, ranchers, and agri-business on health and environmental effects, chemical and physical properties and toxicological effects of agricultural chemicals found in ground water.

Benchmark: The Technical Services Bureau responded to approximately 15 requests for consultations and/or assistance during the past six months.

Establish specific management plans (SMPs) to prevent, minimize and mitigate the presence of agricultural chemicals in ground water.

Benchmark: The Fairfield Bench SMP for Assert herbicide was repealed in August 2006.

NOTE: Preparation of specific management plans is determined by specific standards and the Montana Agricultural Chemical Ground Water Protection Act. If numerous SMPs are required the department will prioritize development based upon the greatest risk to ground water and the public.

Develop and maintain standard operation procedures for sampling and monitoring.

Benchmark: Revised and updated standard operating procedures for discharge measurements, volume purging, micro-purging static water level measurement, groundwater sampling and surface water sampling.

Conduct surveys and inspections to assure compliance with specific management plans.

Investigate potential violations of the Montana AgChem groundwater protection act.

Benchmark: Continue to routinely inspect pesticide applicators and dealers and investigate complaints related to groundwater.

Conduct local educational programs on agricultural chemicals and groundwater for chemical users and the public.

Benchmark: The Montana Department of Agriculture and Montana State University have an established Private Pesticide Applicator Training and Commercial/Governmental Pesticide Applicator Training Program which provides for the initial and recertification training of pesticide applicators. These trainings are conducted throughout the year. The department also has an established policy to make staff available for education and training of the general public upon request.

Provide consultation to university researchers, state agencies, farmers, ranchers and agri-business on health and environmental effects, chemical and physical properties and toxicological effects of agricultural chemicals found in ground water.

Benchmark: Approximately 15 requests were responded to during FY 2006.

Laboratory Service Program

Goal:
Provide reliable, efficient analytical testing services in support of Montana agriculture.

Benchmark: The laboratory provides services to the MDA Feed, Fertilizer, Pesticide Enforcement and Agriculture Chemical Ground water programs, the Montana State University Agriculture Experiment Station and the USDA Pesticide Data Program. In FY2006 the laboratory received 3,202 samples on which over 10,000 individual tests were performed and reported. The laboratory anticipates a similar number of samples and testing for FY 2007.

Objectives:
1. Produce accurate, dependable data.

Benchmark: The laboratory participates in a minimum of four different National Check Sample Programs a year analyzing for a variety of pesticide, nutritional and toxicological tests. Results are compared to laboratories across the country and evaluated by an independent agency for accuracy and precision. The laboratory will continue at the current level in Fiscal Year 2007.

The laboratory is in the process of updating data quality standards as defined in the Quality Management Plan.

2. Improve and expand analytical capabilities.

Benchmark: The laboratory continues to improve and expand its analytical capabilities. In FY 2007 the lab will continue testing animal feed for prohibited materials in the Feed program with a newly implemented FDA method utilizing conventional PCR. In FY 2006 the lab developed and implemented a new method in the Groundwater Monitoring program to measure more pesticides at lower limits and provide more meaningful information to the program. In FY 2006 the lab implemented new methods for aminopyralid and pinoxadin, added a more efficient method for nitrate analysis in water by electrode determination and developed a protocol for measuring Rotonone in water. In FY 2006 the lab received training and began the process for ISO 17025 accreditation in the USDA PDP program. The lab will continue to pursue accreditation in FY 2007. The lab continues to add more compounds to LC/MS/MS techniques, resulting in more defendable data, more information on metabolite residues and in some cases resulting in lowered reporting limits.

The Lab continues to expand capabilities of the new Laboratory Information Management software system implemented in FY 2004. With the addition of the Groundwater Monitoring results in FY 2006 the lab now sends all MDA results electronically from the laboratory to the Helena database. More information is entered and reviewed electronically than before, reducing human errors and increasing efficiency.

Investigating new methods and improving laboratory capacity will continue in FY 2007.

3. Provide analytical services efficiently and economically.

Benchmark: The laboratory maintains a cooperative agreement to provide analytical services to two separate state agencies: Montana Department of Agriculture and MSU Agriculture Experiment Station. Cross utilization of personnel, facilities and equipment reduces operating costs and increases efficiency of service. In FY 2006 the laboratory received 1,786 samples from the Montana Department of Agriculture and 1,416 from the MSU Agriculture Experiment Station for a total of 10,034 separate individual tests.

The agreement will continue in FY 2007 with a similar number of samples and analyses anticipated.

4. Consultation to the public, farmers, ranchers, researchers, and agri-businesses on nutritional and toxic substances in fertilizers, soils, water and related commodities and environmental media materials.

Benchmark: Laboratory personnel provided over 500 consultations to the public, farmers, ranchers, researchers, and agri-businesses pertaining to analytical methods and nutritional and toxicological concerns in FY 2006. The laboratory anticipates a similar number in FY 2007.

5. Consultation to EPA, FDA and USDA on state laboratory policies such as QA/QC requirements, laboratory personnel training, check sample program and validation of analytical methods.

Benchmark: Laboratory personnel, in cooperation with EPA and other bureaus in the division, are developing the Quality Management Program (QMP) guidelines as well as updating the current Quality Assurance Project Plan for the pesticide FIFRA program. The laboratory continues work on this document in FY 2007.

The laboratory bureau chief participates on a committee to advise EPA on training and check sample needs and continues to work with the FDA and the USDA to harmonize analytical methods used between states and federal agencies.

The laboratory bureau chief participates on a committee to advise the Association of Official Analytical Chemists regarding pesticide residue methods.

The lab director anticipates continued participation on these committees in 2007.

Mint Program

Goal:
Protect the mint industry from the introduction and spread of diseases, nematodes and insects detrimental to mint.

Improve the culture and production of mint and alternative crops grown in Montana.

Promote efficient marketing of mint oil and essential oils from alternative crops.

Benchmark: The Mint Program maintains an ongoing responsibility to the goal

Objectives:
The Mint Committee, with technical assistance from the department, establishes mint and pest standards, standards for the importation of mint root stock and reviews of pest problems.

Benchmark: Standards are in place and working. Pest problem evaluation and research are ongoing.

Provide for research to improve plant genetics and culturing practices via research contracts with Montana Experiment Station and the Mint Industry Research Council.

Benchmark: A contract for FY'05 is in place with the Agricultural Experiment Station. A 2003 contract with the Mint Industry Research Council has expired and is being updated.

License mint oil purchasers.

Benchmark: Four mint oil purchaser licenses have been issued, each for a 10-year period.

Mosquito Abatement Program

Goal:
Assist in the control of mosquitoes in Montana by providing education, site visit consultations and calibration services to Montana mosquito abatement personnel.

Objectives:
Annually calibrate or confirm the calibration of equipment to apply adulticides.

Benchmark: Department personnel participated in one training tour, reaching approximately 60 people. Droplet testing and calibration was conducted on 22 application machines. More than 150 telephone calls were fielded and more than 230 hours were logged responding to requests for information.

Noxious Weed Management Program

Goal:
Manage the Montana Noxious Weed Trust Fund and other weed funds and issue grants or contracts to county weed districts, local governments, Indian Reservations, and researchers for development of cooperative weed management programs and new and innovative noxious weed management, education or research projects to improve weed control in Montana.

Provide technical expertise and general assistance on noxious weeds and noxious weed management techniques to public and private land managers and the general public.

Issue emergency grants to eradicate or contain a newly introduced noxious weed into the state or county.

Assist county weed districts, conservation districts and other public agencies to develop noxious weed management plans and programs.

Help coordinate and facilitate the Montana biological weed control program.

Benchmark: The program regularly manages the Trust Fund. The program participates in and provides training and workshops on noxious weeds. Emergency grants are reviewed as issued and none have been issued this period. The program staff continues biological control agent collections in the field, as well as insect redistribution. The Noxious Weed Management Program maintains an ongoing responsibility to the goal.

Objectives:
Administer and monitor the Montana Noxious Weed Trust Fund.

Benchmark: The Montana Noxious Weed Trust Fund Program is administered and monitored on an ongoing basis.

Annually process and review grant applications, verifying grant proposals meet statutory and administrative standards.

Benchmark: Program staff will review as many as 155 grant applications during calendar 2006.

Prepare Environmental Assessments or Environmental Impact Statements on grant applications.

Benchmark: Thirty-three environmental assessments were completed in 2006.

Prepare, manage and evaluate 140 new weed management grant contracts per year.

Benchmark: 146 contracts were written with successful county and tribal grant applicants during calendar 2006.

Conduct field evaluations of one-third of all active grants or contracts.

Benchmark: Sixty-six grant evaluations were conducted during 2006.

Review narrative and financial reports annually.

Benchmark: All narrative and financial reports for current grants have been evaluated.

Incorporate biological weed control at the local level as part of long term, integrated weed management programs.

Benchmark: All programs are reviewed for integrated weed management, including biological control components.

Assist in the distribution of biological control agents to local agricultural producers and land managers.

Benchmark: The program assisted in the collection of more than 1.5 million biological control agents for spotted knapweed, Dalmatian toadflax and leafy spurge in June and July of 2006.

Establish educational programs and productive insectary sites for redistribution of biological control agents statewide.

Benchmark: Regular assistance is provided to counties for the establishment of their own biological control insectary sites.

Provide input to the research community to help establish research priorities.

Benchmark: The program supports the Montana Weed Control Association Integrated Weed Management Committee, and is working with researchers from MSU and UM to develop research for noxious weeds.

Develop cooperative biological weed research projects with the Canadian provinces and surrounding states on plants of mutual interest to coordinate work accomplished and funds available.

Benchmark: The Noxious Weed Program is in regular contact with Alberta, British Columbia, Idaho, North and South Dakota, and Wyoming. 

Noxious Weed Seed Free Forage Program

Goal:
To administer and monitor the Montana Noxious Weed Seed Free Forage (NWSFF) Program.

Reduce the introduction of regional designated noxious weeds onto private, district, county, state and federal lands.

Provide forage products that are free of Montana designated weed seeds and regionally designated noxious weeds and any propagating parts of plants which may be present.

Benchmark: The Noxious Weed Seed Free Forage Program maintains an ongoing responsibility to this goal.

Objectives:
Ensure that inspector/agents have the necessary forms and forage markers. Track and monitor where Montana Department of Agriculture approved markers have been sent.

Benchmark: Forms and forage markers are sent out via inspectors/agents when requested by the producers.

Conduct initial training to persons that wish to become inspectors/agents.

Benchmark: The program added four new field inspectors during 2006, for a total of 60.

Provide labels for grain concentrate and pelletized forage products that are free of noxious weed seeds.

Benchmark: A Montana NWSFF labeling system has been developed for grain and pelletized forage products.

Provide a NWSFF producer list that gives the producer's name, address and phone, as well as the type and amount of forage and package type.

Benchmark: The current NWSFF producer list was printed in October 2006. The list includes producers names, contact information and amount of forage available. A producer list will be printed each October.

Increase awareness of noxious weeds and opportunities for prevention.

Benchmark: NWSFF program promotional efforts continue to escalate. Billboards and banners have been augmented by informational booths at Montana fairs and rodeos staffed by an intern, and by distribution of promotional items and brochures.

A new media campaign will target small acreage landowners in Fiscal Year 2007, FY-08 and FY-09. The campaign will focus on education regarding noxious weeds and using certified NWSFF feeds as a prevention tool to help stop the spread of noxious weeds.

Nursery & Quarantine Program

Goal:
Protect consumers by assuring the quality of nursery stock.

Minimize the risk of interstate and intrastate movement of pests on nursery stock.

Objectives:
Issue nursery licenses as required by state law.

Benchmark: Licenses are issued through the Montana Department of Revenue as one of the licenses issued under One Stop Licensing. Some 1,189 businesses were licensed during FY-06, nearly a 24 percent increase over FY-05.

Inspect nursery stock quality, labeling, and pest freedom to ensure compliance with state and federal laws.

Benchmark: Routine and follow-up inspections totaled 272 in FY06.

Promote the sale and movement of pest free nursery stock.

Benchmark: Five nurseries received plant inspection certificates, 544 nursery stock certificates were issued, and 1,177 nursery certification tags were issued. Certification facilitates the export of nursery stock in compliance with pest regulations of the receiving states. Nurseries are certified upon request. Certifications have increased 28 percent over FY05.

Conduct virus indexing of nursery stock.

Benchmark: The department maintains a certified virus indexing program. Currently one nursery ships virus-indexed nursery stock. The department did not issue certified virus-indexed tags in 2006 due to restrictions from foreign governments on the current virus indexing standards in Montana. Those standards are under revision to allow for the continuance of exports of virus-indexed nursery stock.

Investigate potential violations of the nursery law and conduct compliance assistance.

Benchmark: Issued no civil penalties and 38 stop-sale orders during FY-06. Seventeen investigations and 435 outreach activities were conducted for compliance assistance.

Adopt, enforce, and administer state and federal quarantines to minimize pests.

Benchmark: Montana has issued the following quarantine regulations: seed potato disease control in two counties; Japanese beetle; European pine shoot moth; mint wilt quarantine; Lythrum importation quarantine; black stem rust control; potato and tomato late blight quarantine; and others.

Adopt pest management standards to assist growers and counties in pest control efforts, and conduct educational outreach activities at public meetings.

Benchmark: Provided technical assistance to apple growers in the Bitterroot valley for management of codling moth. Conducted one round-table meeting with stakeholders. Provided technical assistance to fruit growers and homeowners in the Flathead Lake area. Conducted meetings in the Billings area on the impacts of Japanese beetle in the area. Formally presented information on pest presence and potential, and associated regulatory concerns.

Review and process permit applications for importation of federally regulated organisms.

Benchmark: A cooperative agreement with the USDA allows this department to review and comment on all federal permit applications to import federally regulated organisms into Montana. In FY-06 32 permits were reviewed.

Review federal permit applications for research on genetically modified crops.

Benchmark: In cooperation with USDA, the department reviews and comments on all federal permit applications for genetically modified crop research in Montana. In FY-06 five permits were reviewed.

Investigate potential violations of quarantine laws.

Benchmark: Conducted 17 investigations pertaining to the importation of noxious weeds, Japanese beetle host materials and other potential violations of state quarantines.

Benchmark: In cooperation with the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's Plant Protection and Quarantine section, the department conducted investigations related to imported host materials suspected of being infested with Phytophthora ramorum, wood borers, and various other exotic pests, as well as the movement into the state to regulate Japanese blood grass.

Organic Program

Goal
Provide professional, efficient and objective certification services to producers and handlers of organic products to facilitate the growth and success of organic agriculture in Montana.

Objectives:
Provide certification services to producers and handlers in Montana, neighboring states and Canadian provinces.

Benchmark: Certified 120 organic producers and handlers during Fiscal Year 2006.

Maintain USDA accreditation of the Organic Certification Program.

Benchmark: An annual report was completed and submitted to USDA National Organic Program staff in April 2006.

Facilitate exports of organic products from Montana.

Benchmarks:
  • Received CAAQ (Conseil des appellations agroalimentaries du Quebec) approval in April 2005 to facilitate export of Montana organic products to Quebec.
  • Adopted rules to certify Montana producers and handlers to European organic standard in fall 2006.
  • Completed cooperative agreement with Bio Suisse to facilitate exports to Switzerland.
  • Completed ISO Guide 65 accreditation in fall 2006 to enable international recognition of the department's certification program.

Work with the Montana Organic Commodity Advisory Council to review and refine program rules, policies and procedures. Facilitate two advisory council business meetings each year.

Benchmark: Three council meetings were held via conference call on Feb. 22, March 17 and May 23, 2006.

Improve efficiency of certification program through greater use of the website.

Benchmark: 20 forms are currently available for downloading from the website.

Conduct public outreach to explain organic standards and certification procedures.

Benchmarks: Participated in information sessions and maintained an information booth at the Montana Organic Association conference held in Missoula in December 2006.

Pesticide Management Program

Goals:

Objectives:
Conduct a routine inspection and compliance assistance program to ensure compliance with state and federal pesticide laws.

Benchmark: The department's Pesticide Program annually conducts between 700 and 750 inspections.

Benchmark: Compliance assistance is provided during inspections; training is also provided to help people understand and comply with the law.

Benchmark: The inspection of applicators and dealers is on a four to six year rotation.

Maintain the cooperative pesticide agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on pesticide compliance, certification and training and new EPA pesticide program initiatives.

Investigate potential violations of pesticide laws.

Benchmark: The department continues to provide technical assistance or remediation for pesticide-related incidents. Appropriate enforecement actions are taken when violations occur.  Spill remediation consists of immediate clean-up and disposal, using the contaminated soil for beneficial use resulting in pest control and/or spreading the contaminated soil for chemical degradation without adverse affects to human health and the environment.

Protect farm workers and pesticide handlers to ensure compliance with worker protection standards.

Benchmark: During each fiscal year, the department conducts routine and compliance assistance Worker Protection Standards (WPS) inspections as part of an ongoing effort to insure worker safety. These inspections include outreach and education to those responsible for a safe work environment. WPS violations may result in civil penalties or further enforcement action.

Ensure that private applicators maintain restricted-use pesticide records.

Benchmark: Each year, the department enters into a cooperative agreement with the USDA to conduct 65 to 70 inspections to determine compliance with requirements for restricted use pesticide records. These inspections satisfy requirements initiated with the 1990 Farm Bill.

Register annually, federally registered pesticide products for use in Montana and register products as needed for special local needs (FIFRA Section 24(c)) and emergency pest problems (FIFRA Section 18).

Benchmark: Pesticide product registration renewal applications are sent out annually. The department registers approximately 7,500 to 8,000 federally registered pesticides each year.

Special Pesticide Registrations will be sought as needed in cooperation with producers and the federal Environmental Protection Agency.

Benchmark: Four new special local need registrations, [FIFRA section 24 (c) ] were approved during FY05 registered in January 2005. Eight specific exemptions (FIFRA section 18) were requested and one was granted during FY05.

Annually license all qualified commercial and government applicators and operators and dealers.

Benchmark: Pesticide applicator license renewal applications are sent out annually. Approximately 2,100 commercial/government applicator licenses and 425 dealers licenses are issued annually.

Annually permit all qualified farm applicators.

Benchmark: Permitted farm applicator license renewal applications were sent on schedule for the 2006 licensing period. Approximately 7,700 private applicators held valid certification or licensing during the 2006 calendar year.

Revise and update training manuals as technology and/or changes in laws and regulation warrant and provide training manuals for all categories of pesticide applicators and dealers in Montana.

Benchmark: The department continues to revise and update pesticide training manuals to reflect changes in technology and regulations.

Provide 16 hours of pesticide training and educational materials for initial licensing and certification. Provide 6 hours of recertification training for commercial and government applicators in Montana.

Benchmark: Initial applicator training was conducted in March 2006 for 63 people. The spring 2006 recertification training was attended by 282 applicators. The department also sponsored fall recertification training for license categories requiring renewal.

Conduct training and testing for pesticide applicators who plan to use restricted use aquatic herbicides.

Benchmark: Initial aquatic training was conducted in FY 2006 at one location for five participants.

Review, on an annual basis, aquatic vegetation management plans submitted by certified aquatic pest control applicators.

Benchmark: This review starts in the spring and continues throughout the summer.

Assist county extension agents in providing training courses for farm applicators (number of courses varies with the size of the agricultural district involved).

Benchmark: This assistance comes from enforcement and technical staff and is ongoing. Department staff assisted in 48 training sessions in FY 2006.

Continue to educate the regulated community and public on programs.

Benchmark: This education is primarily accomplished through commercial and private applicator training sessions.

Conduct routine inspections and investigations.

Benchmark: The inspection of applicators and dealers is on a four- to six-year rotation, however, all complaints are validated and investigated upon receipt.

Collect and properly dispose of waste pesticides to reduce the threat to public health and the environment posed by improper management of unusable pesticide products.

Benchmark: 19,500 pounds of unusable pesticides were collected from 59 participants at the Townsend, Bozeman and Dillon collection sites for disposal in 2006. The 2007 collection is scheduled in eastern Montana.

Produce Standards, Storage and Merchandising Program

Goal:
Protect consumers by assuring that produce is properly labeled and marked as to grade.

Facilitate export of Montana grown produce.

Objectives:
Provide grade inspection services for exported and imported produce.

Benchmarks: Maintain cooperative agreement with USDA Agricultural Marketing Service for federal/state produce inspection.

License qualified employees to issue both federal and state certificates.

Provide shipping point grade inspection grade services (3599 in FY 2006) for certified seed potatoes and other produce as requested.

Issue condition reports on produce at receiving point upon request.

Monitor the produce being sold at retail for correct labeling.

Benchmark: Routine inspections to check produce retailers for label compliance.

Provide prompt and efficient licensing services to produce dealers.

Benchmark: To date 35 produce licenses have been issued this year.

Seed Program

Goal:
Protect consumers of seed by ensuring that seed is truthfully labeled and meets germination and purity standards

Resolve disputes in cases of non-performance of seed.

Objectives:
Issue seed dealer licenses as required.

Benchmark: Through FY 2006, the following licenses have been issued: 304 seed dealers, 111 seed labelers, and 95 conditioning plants. Additionally, 24 Montana Grower Seed Dealer/Labeler licenses have been issued in FY 2006.

Conduct routine seed inspection and sampling to ensure compliance with state and federal seed laws.

Benchmark: Maintain cooperative agreement with USDA Agricultural Marketing Service for sampling seed to determine compliance with the Federal Seed Act.

Conducted routine inspections (78 in FY 2006)

Seed samples taken (96 in FY 2006)

Initiate alternative dispute resolution when requested by buyers of seed.

Benchmark: Proposed rules have been issued and released for public comment.

Investigate potential violations of the seed law.

Benchmark:Investigations and enforcement efforts ongoing (26 in FY-04).

Vertebrate Pest Management Program

Goal:
To address vertebrate pest management issues faced by producers and land managers on a local, regional and statewide scale. To facilitate the correct use of vertebrate pest control products.

Objectives:
Provide technical assistance or in kind personnel services to ensure projects are completed. Participate in threatened and endangered species issues.

Benchmark: Technical assistance is provided via telephone, written, personal, or electronic communications upon request. The program staff continue to assist and participate on the Montana Black-footed Ferret and Black-tailed Prairie Dog Working Groups, and Sage Grouse Management and Conservation Plans. Such participation will continue as other endangered/threatened species issues develop. Assist in the formation of a rodent control district in Phillips County.

Conduct field and classroom training for producers and pesticide applicators.

Benchmark: Thirteen field demonstrations were given around the state for rodent and coyote control. Eight presentations were given for private, commercial, non-commercial and government applicator recertification and initial training, as well as dealer training.

Benchmark Indicators:Indicators will be updated within one month after December 31 and June 30 each year, which coincides with either six months of operations or the conclusion of a calendar year or fiscal year depending on the particular program.