Glacier County ground squirrel research and programming aims to reduce produce losses

Published: 2019
By Kari Lewis

Richardson ground squirrels have plagued Glacier County producers in recent years, reducing crop yield, decreasing field operation efficiency, and damaging farm equipment during cropping operations. In 2018, a research study was done in Glacier County with Dr. Stephen Vantassel, Montana Department of Agriculture Vertebrate Pest specialist, to determine the efficacy of broadcast baiting zinc phosphide for ground squirrel control. As a result of the project and submitting producer letters, a special label registration was granted allowing for the broadcast baiting of zinc phosphide. The study was followed up in March 2019 with a program on ground squirrel biology and control options to encourage early and effective ground squirrel treatment by producers. Producers attending the event estimated their last three years’ yield loss to ground squirrels has averaged 25% in hay, 19% in canola, 18% in chickpeas, 14% in spring wheat, 13% in barley, and 11% in winter wheat. Using average NASS, 2018 wheat prices, this represents approximately $33,000 in lost revenue per farm, annually. In addition to the lost revenue, producers still have input costs of seed, fertilizer, chemical, diesel, labor, etc. on those acres with no revenue to offset those costs. As a result of the program, half the producers planned to begin control earlier. Nearly 20% of producers planned to begin or improve scouting and monitoring. Other producers planned to change their rodenticide, build bait stations, or increase observations through technology use. Overall, producers rated the program 4.8 out of 5, illustrating high satisfaction with the event.