Resources
Palmer Amaranth in Preble County
Status of Palmer amaranth in Ohio – March 2017 (10-min video)
Palmer Amaranth Biology, Identification, and Management (Purdue Weed Science bulletin)
Palmer amaranth ID poster (USB/Take Action)
Amaranth/pigweed ID (OSU fact)
Palmer Amaranth management in Soybeans (USB/Take Action fact)
Palmer Amaranth – what it is and what to do now (OSU fact)
Palmer Amaranth – what you need to know (11 -min video)
Pigweed Identification (Kansas State)
Identification of the Weedy Pigweeds and Waterhemps of Iowa
OSU Amaranth ID video (Youtube – 3 min)
Combine Cleanout Procedures
Status of Palmer amaranth in Ohio – March 2017 (10-min video)
Palmer Amaranth Biology, Identification, and Management (Purdue Weed Science bulletin)
Palmer amaranth ID poster (USB/Take Action)
Amaranth/pigweed ID (OSU fact)
Palmer Amaranth management in Soybeans (USB/Take Action fact)
Palmer Amaranth – what it is and what to do now (OSU fact)
Palmer Amaranth – what you need to know (11 -min video)
Pigweed Identification (Kansas State)
Identification of the Weedy Pigweeds and Waterhemps of Iowa
OSU Amaranth ID video (Youtube – 3 min)
Combine Cleanout Procedures
Local Updates
7/17/18 Last year, the potentially devastating weed Palmer amaranth was discovered for the first time in Preble County. After the initial infestation was identified, two separate sources were discovered last summer, and more have already been found this year. This should be of great concern to farmers in Preble County for several reasons.
Palmer amaranth is a member of the pigweed family. It has become rampant in certain areas due to fast growth of up to 3” per day, emergence spring through fall, resistance to multiple herbicides, and the production of up to a million seeds per plant. Palmer has the potential to double herbicide application costs for farmers, and the weed likely still wouldn’t be controlled. It can even lead to reduced property values.
Livestock feed products are the main source bringing Palmer seed to Ohio, and therefore livestock producers need to be very careful about where they are sourcing feed. Be especially cautious about bringing in hay or other feeds from southern or western states. Premixed feeds can be an issue, especially those containing cotton seed products. Crop producers need to be cautious about applying manure to fields and purchasing equipment with a history in locations where Palmer is present. When purchasing feed or equipment, find out where it is from and its potential for contamination with Palmer seed.
Preble Soil and Water Conservation District has been working with farmers to identify Palmer and determine steps to move forward once it is discovered. The SWCD strongly urges any farmer who has applied manure to fields to scout those fields now to determine if Palmer is present. Some Palmer has already reached 2 feet tall and is beginning to produce seedheads. If not removed from fields soon, seeds will begin dropping. Scouting fields will require being out in them, as Palmer is hard to identify from a distance. It blends right in with soybean fields until you are near the plant. If you are using a herbicide that is effective at killing Palmer, make sure to check field and waterway edges where application rates were likely lower.
8/18/17 Palmer amaranth has been recently discovered in Preble County. This weed has been an enormous problem in southern and western states, and has recently been making its way to the midwest. The weed seed is believed to have come to Preble County in a load of hay from Kansas.
A recent community meeting was held in the area of the outbreak, between Eaton and Lewisburg, to educate neighbors on how to identify and eliminate the weed before it can spread further. Ohio State University weed scientist, Dr. Mark Loux, was present to inform farmers about the weed and advise them on the best way to eliminate it from their fields. At one point, he mentioned that weed scientists are, “Scared to death,” of this noxious weed.
Palmer amaranth is a member of the pigweed family. It has become rampant in certain areas due to fast growth of up to 3” per day, emergence spring through fall, resistance to multiple herbicides, and the production of hundreds of thousands up to a million seeds per single plant. Palmer has the potential to double herbicide application costs for farmers, and the weed likely still wouldn’t be controlled. It can even lead to reduced property values.
Livestock producers need to be very careful about bringing in feed from the south or west. Palmer seed is especially a problem in cotton seed feed products, and other feeds coming from Kansas, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Missouri, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi. Crop producers need to be cautious about purchasing equipment with a history in these same states, as seed may still be present in the machines. When purchasing feed or equipment, find out where it is from and its potential for contamination with palmer seed.
Farmers with palmer currently growing in their fields need to be scouting fields carefully and pulling plants immediately before they begin to drop viable seeds. If these plants can be removed before dropping seeds this year, the chances of eliminating the weed from Preble County will be greatly increased. If any plants are missed, farmers need to be cautious about spreading seed between fields this fall. These fields should be harvested last and equipment cleaned thoroughly afterwards. Crop consultants should be contacted regarding recommendations for future crops and a weed control strategy.
Palmer amaranth resources are available at the Preble Soil and Water Conservation District office at 1651 N. Barron St., Eaton, and on their website at www.prebleswcd.org. Anyone concerned that they may have a palmer infestation is encouraged to contact the SWCD office, an agronomist, or Mark Loux at OSU immediately.
Palmer amaranth is a member of the pigweed family. It has become rampant in certain areas due to fast growth of up to 3” per day, emergence spring through fall, resistance to multiple herbicides, and the production of up to a million seeds per plant. Palmer has the potential to double herbicide application costs for farmers, and the weed likely still wouldn’t be controlled. It can even lead to reduced property values.
Livestock feed products are the main source bringing Palmer seed to Ohio, and therefore livestock producers need to be very careful about where they are sourcing feed. Be especially cautious about bringing in hay or other feeds from southern or western states. Premixed feeds can be an issue, especially those containing cotton seed products. Crop producers need to be cautious about applying manure to fields and purchasing equipment with a history in locations where Palmer is present. When purchasing feed or equipment, find out where it is from and its potential for contamination with Palmer seed.
Preble Soil and Water Conservation District has been working with farmers to identify Palmer and determine steps to move forward once it is discovered. The SWCD strongly urges any farmer who has applied manure to fields to scout those fields now to determine if Palmer is present. Some Palmer has already reached 2 feet tall and is beginning to produce seedheads. If not removed from fields soon, seeds will begin dropping. Scouting fields will require being out in them, as Palmer is hard to identify from a distance. It blends right in with soybean fields until you are near the plant. If you are using a herbicide that is effective at killing Palmer, make sure to check field and waterway edges where application rates were likely lower.
8/18/17 Palmer amaranth has been recently discovered in Preble County. This weed has been an enormous problem in southern and western states, and has recently been making its way to the midwest. The weed seed is believed to have come to Preble County in a load of hay from Kansas.
A recent community meeting was held in the area of the outbreak, between Eaton and Lewisburg, to educate neighbors on how to identify and eliminate the weed before it can spread further. Ohio State University weed scientist, Dr. Mark Loux, was present to inform farmers about the weed and advise them on the best way to eliminate it from their fields. At one point, he mentioned that weed scientists are, “Scared to death,” of this noxious weed.
Palmer amaranth is a member of the pigweed family. It has become rampant in certain areas due to fast growth of up to 3” per day, emergence spring through fall, resistance to multiple herbicides, and the production of hundreds of thousands up to a million seeds per single plant. Palmer has the potential to double herbicide application costs for farmers, and the weed likely still wouldn’t be controlled. It can even lead to reduced property values.
Livestock producers need to be very careful about bringing in feed from the south or west. Palmer seed is especially a problem in cotton seed feed products, and other feeds coming from Kansas, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Missouri, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi. Crop producers need to be cautious about purchasing equipment with a history in these same states, as seed may still be present in the machines. When purchasing feed or equipment, find out where it is from and its potential for contamination with palmer seed.
Farmers with palmer currently growing in their fields need to be scouting fields carefully and pulling plants immediately before they begin to drop viable seeds. If these plants can be removed before dropping seeds this year, the chances of eliminating the weed from Preble County will be greatly increased. If any plants are missed, farmers need to be cautious about spreading seed between fields this fall. These fields should be harvested last and equipment cleaned thoroughly afterwards. Crop consultants should be contacted regarding recommendations for future crops and a weed control strategy.
Palmer amaranth resources are available at the Preble Soil and Water Conservation District office at 1651 N. Barron St., Eaton, and on their website at www.prebleswcd.org. Anyone concerned that they may have a palmer infestation is encouraged to contact the SWCD office, an agronomist, or Mark Loux at OSU immediately.