North Dakota
Weeds put up a fight in Dakotas
You find weeds like waterhemp or kochia in your field. You follow all procedures to spray the proper herbicides to kill them off. But what if your usual mix just doesn’t work anymore?
Group 14 resistance in these weeds is becoming more common throughout North Dakota and surrounding states, according to Joe Ikley, weed specialist at North Dakota State University Extension.
Group 14 herbicides, classified as PPO inhibitors, include aryl triazinone, diphenylether, N-phenylphthalimide, pyrimidenedione and bipyridylium chemical families.
“Recently, we have seen Group 14-resistant waterhemp in several counties in North Dakota,” Ikley says. “This is pretty important to consider for our postemergence herbicides, but also several of our preemergence herbicides that are Group 14 as well.”
Group 14-resistant kochia has also been discovered in counties across central and western North Dakota. “With eight counties officially confirmed with resistant kochia populations, I know we’ll be adding more affected counties by the time winter ends,” Ikley says.
This concern for kochia resistant to Group 14 stretches down into central South Dakota, although no resistance has been confirmed through testing there.
As of December, eight counties in North Dakota have confirmed resistance issues. The testing found a one-hundred- to five-hundredfold reduction in sensitivity to diphenylether herbicides, he says.
“Those brand names are Flexstar, Cobra and Blazer,” he adds. “Usually, a failure in those products is what brings this to our attention, but we also see a reduced sensitivity to sulfentrazone, which is Spartan and flumioxazin, or the Valor-type products.”
NDSU Extension has also confirmed dicamba resistance in waterhemp populations on the eastern side of the state.
Preemergents could help
Ikley says research at NDSU has offered some hope in controlling weeds such as Palmer amaranth, or pigweed, by using preemergence herbicides. “In a national study, we have been reevaluating the utility of metribuzin within soybeans,” he says. “The genesis of this trial was the fact that so many of our premix herbicides might have a full rate of a Group 14, plus a full rate of a Group 15, and then some cut rate of metribuzin for a comprehensive pre-mix.”
The trial observed higher rates of metribuzin for residual weed control in the pigweed species. Six weeks after planting, the researchers applied a preemergent of various formulas and combinations to test efficacy.
“We tested varied rates and different mixes of chemicals to find best results in soybeans,” Ikley says. “Once we added metribuzin into any of the individual herbicides, we were 78% to 96% controlled, where the products by themselves were between 15% and 75% controlled.”
From the data, the best control for waterhemp is a mix of Valor, Zidua and a half-pound of metribuzin, with 96% control achieved. “We saw great results from everything that mixed in that half-pound of metribuzin, or anything that had a three- to four-product combinations,” he said.
This trial will be repeated for the 2024 growing season, when kochia will be the “Weed of the Year,” according to Ikley. “We’ve just had enough kochia issues growing over the past several years that we expect to see it a lot more in 2024.”
For this next year, Ikley says the best management can come from identifying resistant populations. “As we get into 2024’s burndown season and herbicide spraying, we will be able to collect some leaves for a fee and send them into the National Agricultural Genotyping Center to determine resistance,” he says.
MAPLETON, N.D. (Valley News Live) – Casselton Fire responded to a shop fire in rural Mapleton on Saturday afternoon, according to Casselton Fire Chief John Hejl.
Casselton Fire was dispatched to the scene at 3:30 p.m. Saturday. Windy conditions escalated the fire before crews arrived, Hejl said.
Firefighters used defensive and offensive lines to control the fire upon arrival.
Casselton Fire was assisted by Cass County Sheriff’s Office, Casselton Ambulance, West Fargo Police Department, Davenport Fire and Mapleton Fire.
Copyright 2026 KVLY. All rights reserved.
A do not use water advisory issued by the City of Finley, North Dakota. April 2026.
FINLEY, N.D. (KFGO) – The city of Finley, North Dakota has been without potable water since Friday due to a suspected water main leak. Steele County Emergency Management says it is unclear how long it will take to restore water services in the city.
The North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality says the available water in Finley has been deemed unusable for drinking, cooking, bathing and washing dishes or laundry.
The water system will need to be flushed and samples that say the water is safe will need to be collected for the water advisory to be lifted.
Richard D. “Rick” Langowski, age 78 of Minto, North Dakota passed away on Thursday, April 16, 2026 at his home in Minto.
Rick was born March 10, 1948 in Grafton, North Dakota, the son of the late Julian and Catherine (Wysocki) Langowski. In 1967, he volunteered for the military bringing him to Germany as a Motor Sargent. After an Honorable Discharge he took a job at the International Airport in Grand Forks, ND. His duties included: refueling planes and jets as well as maintaining the grounds. He had the opportunity to meet the famous singer Mr. James Brown.
Rick was united in marriage to Alice Odegard on June 17, 1982 in Minto, North Dakota. The family made their home in Minto where they raised Jason and Angela. Rick was very proud of his children and loved them more than anything. He told everyone and bragged about the children he raised. He cherished his grandchildren and loved to be present in every aspect of their lives.
His career changed to semi driving where he drove for Cenex Transportation for four years and ten years for Valley Transports. His love for the open road directed him into the used car business. He opened Minto Auto Sales and Services in 1987, proudly operating for 39 years. He had the privilege to meet many people and travel to many places. He enjoyed riding his many Harley Davidson Motorcycles. In 2025, he sold the business to his longtime mechanic and friend, Aaron Anderson. In Rick’s opinion, “Minto Auto is one of the best mechanical shops in the area.”
He was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Minto, ND. He loved hunting with Jason, watching sports, especially the Yankees and Twins. In 2017, Rick was able to enjoy a father/son trip of a lifetime to Alaska. He thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of the trip and thought was the best time of his life.
Rick is survived by his children: Jason Odegard, Reynolds, ND; Angela (Nick) Eppert, Goshen, IN; grandchildren: Ashlyn, Kaia, Annika, Boden and Caelan; sisters: Carol King, Grand Forks, ND; Connie Jones, Argyle, MN; seven nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his very close friend and confidant, Yvette Estep, Grafton, ND. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings: Robert and Ronald.
Rick’s family would like to extend a very special thank you to Yvette Estep, an employee of Rick’s, affectionately known as “hotrod.” She was there for Rick, along with Aaron for doctor’s appointments, treatments and helped comfort him throughout his battle. Jason and Angela will be forever indebted to her and consider her family.
Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday, April 22, 2026 at 10:30 A.M. at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Minto. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, Minto, ND. Military Rites will be provided by the Minto American Legion Post and the North Dakota National Guard Honor Guard.
or send flowers to the family in memory of Richard D. Langowski, please visit our
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