Schutter Diagnostic Lab

09/10/2026

Sharing from the Montana Master Gardener page: Did you know evergreens commonly experience seasonal needle drop?

08/28/2026

Ag Alert!
Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) was confirmed for the first time in Cascade County, Montana in August 2026. It competes aggressively with agricultural crops, causing major yield loss, and produces hundreds of thousands of seeds per plant.

Palmer amaranth is a non-native, broadleaf annual w**d with limited known distribution in Montana. It grows very rapidly and commonly reaches heights of 6 to 8 feet.

Palmer amaranth can have petioles that are as long or longer than the egg-shaped (ovate) leaves. Palmer amaranth has a long cluster of flowers and a smooth, reddish stem while other pigw**ds in Montana have hairy stems and are usually much shorter.

Early detection and rapid response is critical for this w**d, so if you suspect Palmer amaranth, contact:

Your local Extension agent. Find your local Extension office and contact info here: https://www.montana.edu/extension/localoffices.html

The Schutter Diagnostic Lab Plant Identification Specialist Megan Hager (406) 994-6297 or [email protected]

More information about Palmer amaranth can be found in our MontGuide here: https://extension-store.montana.edu/montguides/palmer-amaranth-amaranthus-palmeri

08/26/2026

Ag Alert!

The Eastern Heath Snail has been detected in Gallatin County.

This is an invasive, non-native species that damages crops and spreads plant and animal diseases.

They have a white shell, typically with brown spiral bands. What distinguishes them from similar looking native snail species, is that during hot weather, they climb upright objects like vegetation or fence posts.

Suspected eastern heath snails should be reported to one of the following:
- Your local MSU Extension Office. Find your local extension office here: https://www.montana.edu/extension/localoffices.html
- Schutter Diagnostic Lab Arthropod Diagnosticians, [email protected] or (406) 994-5704
- Montana Department of Agriculture, [email protected] or (406) 444-3144

Learn more about the eastern heath snail and steps to prevent its spread here:
https://www.montana.edu/cope/email-format/admin/view.php?draft=14429&uid=6a8377f74c2e80.87343544

08/18/2026

Have a mushroom in your yard? Foraging for mushrooms in the forest?
Mushroom species can grow in many places and can look awfully similar. Because they can be difficult to identify, if you have even the slightest doubt regarding a mushroom's identity, DO NOT EAT IT! Instead, carefully collect a sample and submit it to the Schutter Diagnostic Lab where our mycologist, Dr. Chance Noffsinger, can identify it for you.

If you are eating wild forged mushrooms, you must:
1. Ensure proper identification
2. Use Reliable Identification Resources
3. Inspect Quality
4. Practice Safe Storage
5. Cook Thoroughly

Check out this page for more information:
https://urbanipm.montana.edu/resources/submitting-mushrooms.html

Check out this page for sample submission instructions:
https://www.montana.edu/extension/diagnostics/submissions.html

If you experience negative effects after eating a known or unknown mushroom, first call 911 and follow medical advice, then please reach out to the Schutter Diagnostic Lab ([email protected] or 406-994-5150) or Dr. Noffsinger ([email protected] or 406-994-5274) to ensure proper identification.

08/14/2026

Sharing a post from the Montana Master Gardener page! Have you heard of Aster yellows?

08/04/2026

Turf to Trees 2026 workshop is coming up soon! Learn more about it here!

Turf to Trees 2026 - From Native to Novel: Landscape Change in Montana
Day 1: August 19 is tailored to Green Industry Professionals and MSU Extension Agents.
Day 2: August 20 is tailored to Master Gardeners, MSU Extension Agents, and fellow Horticulture Enthusiasts.
Registration: https://ecommerce.montana.edu/pspp_turftree/

08/03/2026

Did you know that if a sample is degraded e.g. decomposing, dried out, or dead, our diagnosticians might not be able to diagnose it?

If you're sending in an agricultural sample, send in the whole plant with the roots to get the most accurate diagnosis. Wrap the root ball in plastic and secure it with a rubber band. Loosely enclose the foliage in plastic or paper. Do not add water or wet paper towels.

Different samples will have different instructions, so please follow the submission guidelines on our website. This will make our diagnosticians much happier!

Link to submission guidelines: https://www.montana.edu/extension/diagnostics/submissions.html

Link to Champ's instructional video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YiDhMJI3caU

07/29/2026

Dutch Elm Disease Factsheets
Schutter Diagnostic Lab has collaborated with the City of Bozeman Forestry Division to create this factsheet on Dutch Elm Disease! It is a guide on how to ID and manage this disease here in Bozeman. Come pick up a copy for free! There are copies in the MSU Plant Bioscience building, on the table at the entrance.

07/27/2026

Please welcome a new member of our team!

Annie Erickson is our undergraduate intern for the summer. She will be assisting with managing samples, welcoming walk-in clients, and answering calls. Annie is studying Environment Toxicology, so she will be learning about plant pathology, diagnostic processes, and more!

06/29/2026

Schutter Lab will be closed this Friday, July 3rd. Please try to submit samples by mail by tomorrow (ideally priority or overnight) to make sure that they can get here by Thursday.