Minnesota’s Success Over Palmer Amaranth Model For Other States

It was in 2016 that Palmer Amaranth was first discovered in Minnesota. It has been found in 8 other counties in Minnesota since then. It is a very invasive weed that is a very prolific seed producer. One female plant can produce up to 500,000 seeds. It has been successfully eradicated in most of them while others are still being closely monitored.

Palmer Amaranth is well established and widespread in Iowa and other states south of Minnesota. From long before it was found in Minnesota a plan was in place to try and keep Palmer Amaranth form becoming established in Minnesota. It has been a truly team effort with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, University of Minnesota Extension Service, farmers and agronomists.

It was nice to see Minnesota recognized with a published article "The Timeline of Palmer Amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) invasion and eradication in Minnesota " in the Weed Science Society of America. The theme was "Minnesota can be a model for other states in the fight against invasive weeds.

There are many invasive noxious weeds farmers need to be concerned about. But, when it comes to Palmer Amaranth it is too late for many states because it is so widespread and established. Lets hope that farmers and agronomists are on the look out for Palmer Amaranth in Minnesota. I am sure it is just a matter of time before it is found somewhere else in Minnesota.

The sooner Palmer Amaranth can be identified the easier it will be to eradicate it. That is one weed that I do not want to fight in my fields! So lets do our best to  make sure it does not become established in Minnesota.