Russian Olive Demonstration Day
                                  Ed Rech’s, east of Greybull
                                              Article taken from the Basin Republican Rustler, February 21, 2008
                                      Written by Brenda TenBoer                
                         
Landowners crowded onto property owned by Ed Rich east of Greybull to view a demonstration on February 16, 2008 of a machine that can help put a stop to Russian olive infestations.

Once thought to be an ideal candidate for windbreaks, Russian olive tress are now a thorn in the side of ranchers who, in the absence of "noxious weeds," may qualify for funds under certain federal programs.

More than 150 people some from as far away as Thermopolis and Lovell, attended the event to see the Agro-Trax, a machine that cuts down Russian olives with no problem at all.  Pesticide is later sprayed on the stumps where regrowth and new leaves may occur, according to County Weed and Pest supervisor Ruth Richards. 

"Russian olives are a pretty big problem here," Richards said.  "Everyone is aware of them."

The problem with Russian olives is that they tend to grow more densely than native trees and they take water away from native plants, she explained.

"Some people like them if they use them in their windbreaks," Richards said.  "I'm not sure how their neighbors feel about that."

A variety of other mechanical devices used to control the Russian olive were also demonstrated.  "We used a forest cutter, a shearer mounted on a skidsteer, and Pab Good had his excavator out here, too," Richards said. 

A list of property owners was compiled from attendees and the next step is to set up a meeting and get the landowners talking to their neighbors to determine how best to approach the seed problem.

We (W&P) are here play an advisory role and help in writing grants," Richards said.  "As far as directing the group--it's their land, they should be doing the planning."

Rech, along with rancher Stan Flitner of Shell, and landowner Mike Whaley all played a large part in making the demonstration successful, Richards said.

University of Wyoming Extension agent Dallen Smith, Weed and Pest board member Jack Clucas, and Monte Bush of the Natural Resources Conservation Service all helped coordinate the demonstation.

Weed and Pest has a cost-share program for doing the cut stump and on the follow-up spraying of Imazapyr, an herbicide, on the leaves.