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Source of latest Palmer amaranth discovery in Minnesota unknown

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is considering several possible pathways as it investigates the latest detection of Palmer amaranth.

Denise Thiede with MDA says the invasive weed was most recently identified in Goodhue County in southeastern Minnesota.

“Seed and screenings have been the two common pathways. Manure when screenings are being used as feed (is) also a common pathway. Right now we’re considering all of those potential pathways in this Goodhue County case.”

Palmer has now been confirmed in 12 Minnesota counties since first being discovered in the state five years ago.

She tells Brownfield the department isn’t always successful determining the source, but they are making progress.

“We’ve had really good success with seed companies adopting genetic testing and really making sure that they’re not selling contaminated seed in Minnesota. In our seed regulatory program we monitor seed for sale across the state.”

Thiede says Palmer amaranth could also be entering the state on equipment, but that has not been documented as a confirmed pathway yet.