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Cattle manure a new pathway for Palmer amaranth in Minnesota

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture has identified a new path for Palmer amaranth to enter the state.

MDA noxious weed section manager Denise Thielde says after an investigation in Redwood County, the department determined Palmer found its way into a soybean field through cattle manure.

“The manure had been purchased from a feedlot, and we were able to go to the feedlot and obtain samples of the sunflower screenings that were being fed to the cattle in that feedlot.”

She tells Brownfield the first sample showed low levels of Palmer, consistent with what was found in the field.

“We only had four (Palmer) plants. But in February we went back and sampled that same feedlot, and those sunflower screenings had a much higher contamination level.”

The Department of Ag estimates about 250 Palmer amaranth seeds per pound of screenings.

Ag Commissioner Thom Petersen says MDA is committed to stopping the spread of invasive weeds through screening, monitoring, and education.