WEED-FREE FORAGECERTIFICATION
Jeanetta CooperPlant Protection/Weed Free
Certification ProgramsOklahoma Department of
Agriculture, Food, and Forestry
Weed Free Forage
ODAFF received the Legislative directive in the fall of 2009.
Rules written and approved by Board of Agriculture in March 2010.
Signed by governor July 1, 2010. Published July 15, 2010. Effective 10 days after publication.
Why is there a demand for WFF?
Federal lands such as Forest Service, National Parks, Bureau of Land Management and other government agencies are requiring certified hay and mulch.
Departments of Transportation in many states requires certified mulch.
Public awareness has increased regarding invasive weeds.
WFF Program
Voluntary program. Provides a uniform set of minimum requirements for
hay and mulch. Provides access to new markets. Reduces the spread of noxious weeds. Provides continuity between states:
Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, Wyoming, Kansas, Nebraska, Nevada, Montana, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Alaska, Arizona, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Oregon, Washington, and Alberta Canada.
What can be certified?
Straw Alfalfa Native grasses Forage grasses Anything that is not on a weed list!
What can’t be certified?
Propagative stages of weeds are PROHIBITED and includes bud, flowering, seed stage, or senescence.
There are 54 species on the North American Weed Free Forage List: www.nawma.org
The list is comprised of several states’ lists.
Prohibited weeds
Jointed goat grass Buffalo bur
Puncture vine Field bindweed
Poison hemlock Sericea lespedeza
Musk thistle Johnson grass
Toothed spurge Sulfur cinquefoil
St. Johnswort Horse nettle
Bull thistle Marijuana
Bermuda grass
Steps for certification
1. Submit application at least 10 days before harvest.
2. Field inspection is scheduled.
3. Field is inspected (client is welcome to accompany the inspector).
4. Findings are reported and field is approved for certification or remediation.
5. Harvest after approval.
6. Transit certificate(s) issued.
1. Submit Application
Field(s) location and directions Acres (estimate) Crop Bale size Destination (if known) $25.00 application fee
Application can be mailed, faxed, or emailed tooffice.
Field standards
Minimum of 2 entry points per field. Entire border is walked or driven. Travel through the field being inspected shall
be uninterrupted. Storage area shall be inspected and must
meet the standards.
2. Inspection guidelines
Field shall be inspected within 10 days prior to harvest.
The entire field border will be walked or driven. Inspector notes the growth stages of any prohibited
weeds in the field for future use in case field has to be re-inspected.
Inspector flags the presence of any weeds in the prohibited stages and designates on inspection map.
Inspector notes on map any draws, ditches, trees, water or other topographical features.
3. Inspection procedure
Client is provided with a map showing the results of the inspection.
Parts of a field may not be certified if listed weeds are present and at a stage of growth where seed could be produced before harvest.
Producer has opportunity to remediate weed infestation and request re-inspection.
4. Inspection report
5. Harvest after approval.
Field is harvested after approval If remediation is an option, re-inspection can
be scheduled.
6. Transit or shipping certificates
After harvest, client reports number and size of bales from each field.
Client requests the Transit Certificate. Original Transit Certificate must accompany
each shipment.
Procedure
To certify or not to certify – What does your buyer want?
Know your market ODAFF only certifies Weed Free status and
does not sell or broker hay and forage Producer has option to be listed as WFF on
ODAFF’s hay directory Helpful websites:
www.ag.ok.gov www.nawma.org
Who Should Promote or Buy Certified Forage? Producers and consumers. Forage buyers and hay brokers. Outdoor recreationists, hunters, outfitters,
and sportsmen. Federal and State Agencies such as highway
departments, reclamation and restoration projects.
Private construction companies.
2012 Certification
2,253 total acres 180 acres oat hay 344 acres mixed prairie grass hay 1,729 acres wheat straw Caddo, Canadian, Kay, Major, McClain, and
Texas counties.
Oat hay was certified for transport to New Mexico Forestry Department for winter forage.
2013 Certification
4,136 total acres 40 acres oat hay 21 acres mixed prairie grass hay Custer, Kay, Major, and Noble counties.
Certification Benefits
Producers have a quality product to market. Producers are more aware of management
education. Buyers obtain a marketable and transportable
product. States become involved in weed management
and clean forage practices. Opportunity to move forage freely in restricted
areas.
CONTACT:
Jeanetta CooperPlant Protection/Certification ProgramsPO Box 528804Oklahoma City OK 73152-8804405-522-5971 - office405-522-4584 – fax405-206-7594 – [email protected]