For beekeepers wishing to better identify and predict changing forage
patterns in their areas, or even just to learn more about what is already
there, check out this new noxious weed web site from our USDA ARS friends at
the University of Montana.

http://invader.dbs.umt.edu/Noxious_Weeds

From the ARS press release:
   "For the first time, land managers can compare noxious weed lists from the
lower 48 United States and six Canadian provinces by logging on to a new
section of the University of Montana's "Invaders" website."

   "Researchers at the ARS Northern Plains Agricultural Research Laboratory in
Sidney, Mont., compiled the new section containing official federal, state
and provincial noxious weed lists. The new section also includes a national
ranking of weeds based on the number of states where they are designated
noxious."

   "This tool will help decision makers prioritize control and research
efforts
at the local and national levels. In addition, they can use the system to
predict potential future problems by examining lists from neighboring states
or regions. Since it takes 10 to 20 years to discover and introduce new
biological control agents, significant money and effort could be saved by
managing invasive weeds while infestations are still small."