County receives KDA weed‑list update and outlines local treatment and outreach

The county’s noxious‑weed supervisor briefed commissioners on statewide list changes and local response plans.

Jason Brett (speaker 5) summarized the Kansas Department of Agriculture’s recent changes: the state removed pignut from the list and added five species plus two teasels; spotted knapweed and diffuse knapweed were placed in category A (targeted for eradication), two teasels were placed in category B, and oriental honeysuckle was placed in category C. Brett said spotted and diffuse knapweed are primarily in eastern and northeastern Kansas and are not presently widespread in the county, while the teasel varieties have been observed locally near I‑70 at Rainfield.

County staff said the Flint Hills Regional mowing program contributes to spread when seed gets on mower decks, and they will coordinate targeted treatment and public education. Brett said existing county chemical supplies should cover current needs and that the county will post public notices, distribute handouts at the office and publish guidance on social media; the Kansas Department of Agriculture has issued press releases as well.

Commissioners acknowledged the difficulty of long‑lived weed seed banks — some species persist decades — and asked staff to continue monitoring, public outreach and treatment prioritization.