News
Jo Co Weed & Pest Reports Invasive Plant Near Lynch
Johnson County’s Commissioners were given an update from the Weed & Pest District on a new area of Ventenata, an invasive grass that was found in the southern part of the county.
According to discussion, the invasive grass was found on private land near Highway 387, and Weed & Pest is expecting to find more once they begin looking for it.
The Wyoming Game & Fish Department reports that Ventenata, also known as wiregrass or North Africa grass, is an annual grass that is a cool season annual that is native to the Mediterranean.
It was first found in North America in 1952. Since then, it has been reported in 10 states, mostly in northwestern and northeastern portions of the country.
It is a fierce competitor with native grasses, reducing native rangeland forage production by 50% within a few years.
Ventenata is highly unpalatable to livestock and wildlife.
Tom Mefford
October 16, 2025 at 3:01 pm
This invasive grass is rampant in Big Horn County Montana also along with Russian Olives and Salt Cedar, especially on Montana’s State Lands. When you try to get the Montana officials to do something they just start passing the buck. More than likely some of the problems in Wyoming are being proposed by your neighbors to the North. Another fine example of Beurocrats who don’t care about anything other than putting more money in their own pockets!