PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Department of Agriculture (SDDA) will host a free workshop on the identification and treatment of mountain pine beetles (MPB) in the Black Hills. The 2014 MPB flight has passed and the time to identify and treat this year’s infested trees is now.
The workshop will be at 9:30 a.m. MDT on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2014, in the White Buffalo Room at Blue Bell Lodge in Custer State Park. The park entrance fee will be waived for people attending the workshop.
Dr. John Ball of South Dakota State University and forest health specialist for SDDA and Kurt Allen, Forest Service entomologist, will conduct the workshop. Information will be presented on infested tree identification and the how, when and why of treating infested trees this fall and winter. A portion of this workshop will be conducted outside, weather permitting. Attendees should dress appropriately for a short walk for an outdoor session to view infested trees and trees that are cut and chunked.
For more information on the workshops, contact Brian Garbisch with SDDA at 605-394-6092.
Agriculture is South Dakota's No. 1 industry, generating $25.6 billion in annual economic activity and employing 115,651 South Dakotans. The South Dakota Department of Agriculture's mission is to promote, protect, preserve and improve this industry for today and tomorrow. Visit us online at http://sdda.sd.gov or find us on Facebook and Twitter.