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PA farms plagued by invasive weeds

PA farms plagued by invasive weeds


By Blake Jackson

Noxious weeds pose a significant threat to Pennsylvania's crops and pastures, yet the state faces challenges in controlling their spread.

Limited resources within the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture hinder effective enforcement of existing weed control laws.

The department is responsible for managing the Controlled Plant and Noxious Weed Act, categorizing weeds based on their potential harm.

While aggressive species like Palmer amaranth and water hemp devastate crops, and others like Canada thistle plague pastures, the agency struggles to address the issue comprehensively.

With a single state botanist tasked with overseeing the entire state, the department relies heavily on property owners to report weed problems. However, complaints are relatively rare. The focus has been on eradicating the most harmful Class A weeds, but progress is slow due to limited manpower and funding.

In contrast, western states often dedicate more resources to noxious weed control, establishing task forces to address the issue.

Pennsylvania's approach to this growing problem appears less aggressive, highlighting the need for increased attention and funding to protect the state's agricultural industry.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-fatcamera

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Categories: Pennsylvania, Crops, General

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