Noxious and Invasive Weed Survey and Reports
The Kansas Department of Agriculture consults and advises the counties on the Kansas Noxious Weed Law. In addition, the Plant Pest Act gives the Secretary of Agriculture the authority to quarantine plant pests that are deemed to be an economic and/or environmental threat. Based on these laws, KDA monitors and surveys both noxious and invasive weed species in the state of Kansas through a variety of methods.
KDA continually monitors noxious weed populations based on survey information from the annual noxious weed reports submitted by each county. In addition, through Cooperative Agriculture Pest Survey (CAPS) projects, KDA surveys targeted invasive weeds that are deemed to have an economic or environmental risk. Finally, we rely on reports from our area specialists, colleagues, and from the general public.
KDA has established an Invasive Weed Watch List to better inform the public of potential invasive weed species that could become a problem in Kansas. This list is composed of weeds that are not reported or reported in small acreages in Kansas and are problems in other areas similar to Kansas with a potential pathway into the state. In addition, KDA shares noxious and invasive weed information through regularly updated weed reports.