North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring has announced a $300,000 grant to fund a new drone-based weed detection project aimed at improving early identification of noxious weeds in soybean and sugar beet fields.
The project will run during the 2025 and 2026 growing seasons across five counties, with a specific focus on identifying fast-spreading amaranth species like waterhemp.
Using advanced drone imaging, the team will build a detailed library of images to distinguish between different amaranth species. The project is coordinated with local officials and landowners, with weed detection data kept confidential at the county level. The goal is to equip weed control programs with better tools for early action, helping to prevent widespread infestations.
Photo Credit: The USDA
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