Invasive weed Palmer amaranth identified in Polk County

Minnesota’s Department of Agriculture has identified the invasive weed Palmer amaranth in Polk County.

The confirmation came after the department inspected a field being used for the disposal of agricultural screenings.

The field was scouted, and MDA staff found several dead Palmer amaranth plants on the field’s edge remaining from last year, suggesting the plants had grown and matured.

The landowner is working with the department to eradicate any of the weeds.

At this time, the department believes the issue is isolated to only one field.

Since it was first discovered in the state in 2016, Palmer amaranth has been found in ten Minnesota counties. However, most of the sites have been successfully eradicated and the remaining are being closely monitored.