Reading Time: 2 minutes I have biases. Perhaps that’s a surprising statement coming from someone who is supposed to be impartial, but experiences lead to biases. It’s human nature. The bigger question is how does one account for and neutralize those biases when evaluating something such as a weed control program? That’s the topic that I wanted to tackle […] Read more
Pest Patrol: Dealing with bias in pest management research trials
#PestPatrol with Mike Cowbrough, OMAFRA
Pest Patrol: Using 28 per cent to manage Canada fleabane
#PestPatrol with Mike Cowbrough, OMAFRA
Reading Time: 3 minutes I’m thankful that farmers and agronomists share their ideas, experiences and questions with me as it relates to killing weeds. During the winter months I’ll test out ideas in the greenhouse to see if they’re worth taking to the field. I’m fortunate that we have some great public-sector researchers (such as Dr. Page, Dr. Sikkema […] Read more
Pest Patrol: More and more hairy galinsoga
#PestPatrol with Mike Cowbrough, OMAFRA
Reading Time: 3 minutes Q: I’m seeing more of a weed called hairy galinsoga, and I’m struggling to control it. Any suggestions? A: Historically, we have found this annual plant mainly in horticultural crops throughout the southern portion of the province, but in the last five years, there have been more inquiries on managing hairy galinsoga in field crops. […] Read more
Controlling scentless chamomile with herbicides
#PestPatrol with Mike Cowbrough, OMAFRA
Reading Time: 3 minutes Several herbicide treatments were evaluated in a 2019 on-farm research trial to determine best management options for scentless chamomile, a weed with a reputation for being difficult to control. Although 10 treatments provided greater than 80 per cent visual control of emerged plants, new seedlings continued to emerge several weeks after application, resulting in a […] Read more
Pest Patrol: Dealing with waterhemp and Canada fleabane
#PestPatrol with Mike Cowbrough, OMAFRA
Reading Time: 3 minutes In last month’s #PestPatrol, we discussed options for the control of glyphosate-resistant waterhemp. However, across the province, there appears to be a more immediate threat for the 2020 season from glyphosate-resistant Canada fleabane. This article will focus on management strategies to control both species at the same time. It is true that glyphosate-resistant Canada fleabane […] Read more
Pest Patrol: Plan to manage waterhemp in 2020
#PestPatrol with Mike Cowbrough, OMAFRA
Reading Time: 2 minutes Waterhemp has spread further across Ontario during the 2019 season and can now be found in eight counties (Bruce, Chatham-Kent, Essex, Haldimand, Lambton, Middlesex, Norfolk and Northumberland). A close relative of pigweed, waterhemp is a competitive annual broadleaf weed that has been found resistant in the province to four different herbicide groups (Group 9: Roundup, […] Read more
Pest Patrol: Killing off Roundup Ready alfalfa
#PestPatrol with Mike Cowbrough, OMAFRA
Reading Time: 3 minutes Six tank-mix partners are recommended for the removal of Roundup Ready alfalfa, and since they vary significantly in cost (Table 1 below), their effectiveness was evaluated in a trial conducted at the Elora Research Station in 2018-19. Growing degree day accumulation after herbicide application appeared to have the greatest effect on the control of Roundup […] Read more
PHOTOS: Pest Patrol: Purple deadnettle and henbit control in winter wheat
#PestPatrol with Mike Cowbrough, OMAFRA
Reading Time: 3 minutes Q: I’m seeing more henbit and/or purple deadnettle in my winter wheat crop. Should it be controlled, and how? A: Henbit and purple deadnettle are often discussed interchangeably because they look similar, are from the same genus (Lamium) and have similar emergence patterns (mainly in the fall, but henbit will also emerge in spring). Both […] Read more
Pest Patrol: Planning for cover crops
#PestPatrol with Mike Cowbrough, OMAFRA
Reading Time: 2 minutes Q: I want to plant cover crops after harvest. Should I be concerned about any herbicide residues that would make it harder to get them established? A: Two important factors influence the potential for herbicide carryover that could negatively affect establishment of a desired cover crop: The sensitivity of the cover crop to herbicide residues. […] Read more
Pest Patrol: Manage volunteer corn in your 2019 soybeans
#PestPatrol with Mike Cowbrough, OMAFRA
Reading Time: 2 minutes Q: Due to a challenging 2018 corn harvest, I’ll likely be looking at more volunteer corn in my 2019 soybean crop. What suggestions do you have for managing this weed? A: The only option to control volunteer corn in soybeans is to use one of the post-emergence herbicides from the Group 1 mode of action. […] Read more
A message from April Stewart, Country Guide's Associate Editor
