“Super weed” found in three more North Dakota counties

BISMARCK, N.D. — An invasive and damaging weed species threatening North Dakota agriculture has been present in three extra counties.

That raises the overall to 19 counties in North Dakota the place the so-called “tremendous weed,” also called Palmer amaranth, has been discovered because it was first recognized within the state 4 years in the past.

“We expect it’s a really important menace to our growers and ranchers,” stated Tom Peters, an agronomist and weed management specialist at North Dakota State College and the College of Minnesota.

Palmer amaranth can develop as tall as seven ft, at the same time as a lot as 3 inches per day, and might resist many herbicides, produce a whole bunch of 1000’s of seeds and turn out to be sturdy sufficient to cease farm equipment, in accordance with consultants.

A heavy infestation can reduce soybean yields by as a lot as 79% and corn yields by as much as 91%, in accordance with analysis by Purdue College.

The crops had been just lately present in Kidder, Williams, and Stark counties, in accordance with the state’s agriculture division. The findings had been confirmed by the Nationwide Agricultural Genotyping Heart at NDSU.

Officers who recognized Palmer amaranth as the most important weed menace in North Dakota 4 years earlier than it was even documented within the state are actually making ready for the eventuality of farmers having to battle established stands of it of their fields.

That’s possible years down the street, but when and when it occurs, it might tremendously add to farmers’ prices. 

Peters stated a soybean discipline that prices $26 per acre to deal with for weeds that exist now would value an estimated $73 per acre if Palmer amaranth will get added to the combination.