AGRICULTURAL SOLUTIONS FOR COUNTY ROAD DEPARTMENTS
Extension Education
Ed Jennings
County Extension Director IV
University of Florida IFAS Extension
Bronson
Abstract
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\r\n Mowing roadside vegetation is a large expense for county road departments in sub-tropical environments such as those found in Florida. Weed management on highway right-of-way is important for both safety reasons and aesthetics. Roadside weeds often out-compete desirable plants that are put in place to stabilize the highway shoulder. During winter months, when warm season weeds die, bare ground is exposed. This bare ground is more susceptible to erosion. Erosion of road shoulder can lead to instability of driving surface resulting in cracks and other costly maintenance issues. The current weed management plan in Pasco County Florida is repeated mowings throughout the season at an annual cost of over five hundred thousand dollars. Research has shown that judicious use of selective agricultural herbicides can improve roadside weed control, improve turf grass quality, and reduce the overall number of mowing cycles thereby saving money and other resources. In 2010, with assistance from the Pasco County Road and Bridge Department and University of Florida Weed Science Faculty, four demonstration sites were set up on county roads to test and illustrate the feasibility of this alternative. County leadership and maintenance staff attended an Extension program in September to view results and review economic impacts of these practices. As a result, larger areas will be treated in 2011 to receive public feedback and evaluate strategies for full scale implementation which will save the county approximately three hundred thousand dollars annually.
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Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC
This poster is being submitted for judging. It will be displayed at the AM/PIC if not selected as a State winner. The abstract will be published in the proceedings.
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Authors: E.W, Jennings
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Jennings, E. Extension Agent IV, University of Florida-IFAS Extension, Florida, 33525