Reading Time: 4 minutes The invasion continues. From 2010 to 2015, glyphosate-resistant Canada fleabane spread from Windsor to the Quebec border — more than 800 kilometres in just six years. Along the way, it evolved resistance to Groups 2 and 9 modes of action. Waterhemp has also spread rapidly, with biotypes resistant to Groups 2, 4, 9, 14 and […] Read more
The one-two weed punch farmers are up against
Managing Canada fleabane and waterhemp is an ongoing challenge for IP and Roundup Ready soybean growers
The Canada fleabane problem
At current corn and soybean prices, the value of control is at an all-time high
Reading Time: 4 minutes If you think you’ve heard the same message about glyphosate-resistant Canada fleabane more than once, you’re probably right. But that doesn’t mean you should pay less attention, especially since it’s particularly important if you’re growing corn. The problem of resistant biotypes isn’t getting much better, says Peter Sikkema, weed scientist with University of Guelph’s Ridgetown […] Read more
Pest Patrol: Canada fleabane in an organic hay crop
#PestPatrol with Mike Cowbrough, OMAFRA
Reading Time: 2 minutes Q: I have a lot of Canada fleabane in my organic hay crop. Is it a problem to feed? How do I get rid of it? It’s not great to have Canada fleabane in your hay crop. It’s an alternative host for plant feeding insects such as tarnished plant bug, and the leaves have irritated […] Read more
New threat to weed management
Metabolic-based resistance is setting off alarms south of the border. There won’t be any easy answers
Reading Time: 6 minutes Here in the 2020s, herbicide resistance seems just part of the reality of managing weeds. It’s certainly not a new topic. We faced resistance to atrazine in the 1970s, then Group 2 ALS inhibitors in the 1990s and a more recent, widespread resistance to glyphosate. But of course the resistance threat keeps getting more complicated: […] Read more
Pest Patrol: Management practices that controlled glyphosate-resistant weeds in 2020
#PestPatrol with Mike Cowbrough, OMAFRA
Reading Time: 3 minutes Several Ontario agronomists recently shared their most successful strategies for managing glyphosate-resistant weeds. Four general strategies were identified: 1. Inclusion of winter wheat in the crop rotation By early spring, winter wheat’s dense ground cover does not provide a good environment for annual weeds, like waterhemp, to germinate. There are also many herbicides that are […] Read more
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: 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
Better herbicide tolerance
Better technologies are coming, but we’ll need patience and shrewd management until they arrive
Reading Time: 4 minutes Count off the many challenges facing a farmer in any growing season and outside of weather conditions, the biggest impediment has to be weed management, particularly as it relates to herbicide tolerance. In spite of the importance of varietal or hybrid selection and fertility, and the potential for yield losses from insect pests and diseases, […] Read more
Pest Patrol: Control of Canada fleabane
#PestPatrol with Mike Cowbrough, OMAFRA
Reading Time: 2 minutes Q: Canada fleabane has shown up in various places on our farm this year. I assume it is glyphosate resistant. Do I have any other options for soybeans other than Xtend beans? A: Yes, research conducted by the University of Guelph (Ridgetown Campus) has shown that the addition of Eragon LQ (30 ml/acre) + Sencor […] Read more
Pest Patrol: What have we learned in 2017 for managing glyphosate-resistant Canada fleabane?
#PestPatrol with Mike Cowbrough, OMAFRA, Dr. Clarence Swanton, Dr. François Tardif and Peter Smith, University of Guelph
Reading Time: 2 minutes Multiple strategies are needed to control glyphosate-resistant Canada fleabane. Experience has taught agronomists and farmers that simply tank mixing another mode of action won’t be a good enough long-term approach. Since 2016, we have evaluated different management tactics for Canada fleabane. The following are the results at our Oxford and Norfolk county field locations. Tillage […] Read more
A message from April Stewart, Country Guide's Associate Editor
