Notorious is the best word for palmer amaranth. Once it lands in a field, growers are in for a long, hard fight to rid fields of the resistant weed. Unfortunately, this weed that has plagued farmers to the south has now been positively identified nearby.

The University of Wisconsin Extension Service reported finding palmer amaranth in fields north of Barron, WI, an area that is uncomfortably close to Federated’s service areas in west-central Wisconsin, and then, east central Minnesota. (It has been found in North Dakota, too.)

Palmer amaranth is one of the most difficult resistant weed species to date, according to Kevin Carlson, Federated’s agronomy sales manager. Palmer amaranth is “like a cross between giant ragweed and waterhemp, but on steroids; it grows super fast and has resistance like waterhemp,” he said.

The presence of this weed in nearby areas intensifies the call for good weed control, starting with good pre-emerge herbicides. Carlson noted that the Liberty Link® system has proven effective in southern states fighting this weed. It is an effective tool (at this point) for palmer amaranth and waterhemp, as long as it is sprayed early on small weeds, following an earlier yet pre-emerge herbicide.

Keep an eye on fields and discuss weed issues early on. Your Federated Agronomist is ready to help in the fight against tough resistant weeds.