UW offers recommendations to prevent the spread of Palmer amaranth

As Palmer amaranth continues to spread across the Intermountain West, the University of Wyoming Extension has released a new publication on how to identify this invasive weed, best practices for preventing its dispersal and the limited options available for its control.

Now considered one of the most damaging agricultural weeds in the U.S., Palmer amaranth was first reported in Wyoming in 2018. To date, reports of the weed have been recorded in four counties. 

“Palmer amaranth is a new weed in Wyoming with a notorious reputation for being difficult to manage,” said Kelsey Brock, UW Extension invasive plant specialist. “As far as we know, Palmer amaranth is still relatively rare in Wyoming, and we hope it’s still possible to prevent widespread establishment.”

Co-authored by Brock, research assistant Daniel Coles and Andrew Kniss, head of the UW Department of Plant Sciences, “Palmer Amaranth: A New Threat to Wyoming’s Agriculture” outlines what is currently known about the plant and provides an illustrated identification guide. To view a free downloadable copy, visit https://bit.ly/palmer-wy.