3. Weed Control action plan for Palmer amaranth

1010 2nd Ave South, PO Box 2806, Fargo, ND 58108 e-mail: kyle.aasand@ndsu.edu Phone: 241-5700 May 17, 2019 Kyle Aasand Extension Agent/Cass County Ag & Natural Resources Cass CountyAG ALERT Landowner/Operator 1. Begin scouting fields starting in late spring and continue through summer and fall, especially before harvest. 2. When a suspicious plant is found, contact the county extension agent or county weed officer. • Mark/flag the location and leave the plant in place to not spread seed. It is also easier to identify if it has not been pulled. 3. The Cass County Weed Officer and NDSU Ex- tension agent will go to the field together and do the following: • Gather photos and information to send to NDSU weed specialist(s) for confirmation or ruling out Palmer amaranth. • Work with landowner/operator to develop a Palmer Amaranth Action Plan if Palmer amaranth is confirmed. 4. Landowner/operator should hand pull, bag on site and destroy confirmed Palmer amaranth plants. 5. Palmer amaranth plants should be burned or deeply buried to prevent movement of seed. • Palmer amaranth can germinate at depths up to 2 inches. • Burial depth should be below tillage level to prevent seeds from being brought up to the surface. Cass County Palmer Amaranth Action Plan A Guide for Landowners/Operators to Combat Palmer amaranth 6. Work with the county weed officer and continue to survey the field at least 3-5 years after the weeds are removed. This helps to verify that no additional Palmer amaranth is found. 7. Please contact and cooperate with adjacent landowners/operators to help prevent the spread of Palmer amaranth to other land. It is essential that all suspect plants be reported and identified; Palmer amaranth closely resembles other pigweed species and can be difficult to differentiate. One missed Palmer amaranth plant can produce enough seed to infest tens of acres. Landowners/operators that have an action plan in place and are working the plan will be in compli- ance with the noxious weed law. No citations will be issued if action plan is followed. Contact Information: Kyle Aasand Cass County Extension 701-241-5700 (office) 701-650-8676 (cell) Stan Wolf Cass County Weed Officer 701-298-2388 (office) 701-730-6786 (cell) Palmer amaranth is now on the North Dakota noxious weed list. If Palmer amaranth is suspected the following action plan will be taken by Cass County Weed Control and Cass County Extension and ask for the cooperation of landowners/operators.