Reading Time: 2 minutes This is the second of a three-part series that highlights “odd” weeds that have been found in Ontario field crops this past year. Livid amaranth (Amaranthus Blitum) This pigweed species will catch the eye of scouts and agronomists with its distinctive cleft at the tip of the leaf blades. It also tends to have a […] Read more
Pest Patrol: Uncommon weeds, Part 2
#PestPatrol with Mike Cowbrough, OMAFRA: These uncommon weeds were found in Ontario field crops during the 2021 growing season
Pest Patrol: Uncommon weeds, Part 1
#PestPatrol with Mike Cowbrough, OMAFRA: These uncommon weeds were found in Ontario field crops during the 2021 growing season
Reading Time: 3 minutes Each growing season, I get asked to identify weed species found in field crops that are not overly common but are of concern in fields where they are being found. Over the next three columns, I’ll provide a summary of what was identified and its importance. Loose silky bent-grass (called common windgrass in Michigan) Historically, […] Read more
Pest Patrol: Control of phragmites with herbicides and biological agents
#PestPatrol with Mike Cowbrough, OMAFRA
Reading Time: 3 minutes You will have noticed these tall grasses swaying in the wind along roadsides, especially near ditches. They are likely phragmites, also known as common reed (Phragmites australis L.). It is a very widespread weed and one of the world’s most common plant species. In North America, there is a native type of phragmites that has […] Read more
PHOTOS: Pest Patrol: Poison ivy control on the farm
#PestPatrol with Mike Cowbrough, OMAFRA
Reading Time: < 1 minute Q: I have poison ivy along the edge of my field, and I’d like to control it without using glyphosate, because when I use glyphosate, it also kills any desired vegetation. What herbicides can be used that will kill the poison ivy and leave grass species alone? There are several selective herbicides that are labelled […] Read more
PHOTOS: Pest Patrol: Vetch in corn
#PestPatrol with Mike Cowbrough, OMAFRA
Reading Time: < 1 minute Historically, post-emergent applications of Callisto + Aatrex 480, dicamba (e.g. Engenia/Xtendimax) or Distinct have provided the best top-growth control of tufted vetch (Vicia cracca) in corn. A trial was conducted in 2021 to evaluate tufted vetch control with two newer herbicides, Laudis + Aatrex and Acuron as well as Lontrel XC (clopyralid), a herbicide that […] Read more
Pest Patrol: What was that grassy weed in my winter wheat at harvest time?
#PestPatrol with Mike Cowbrough, OMAFRA
Reading Time: 3 minutes Three different types of grassy weeds were found above the winter wheat canopy at harvest this year. To prevent them from becoming a problem, they need to be identified so that the appropriate management actions can be taken. Here is a breakdown of each grass species and its control options: Chess (Bromus secalinus) Chess grass […] Read more
Pest Patrol: Bluegrass management in winter wheat
#PestPatrol with Mike Cowbrough, OMAFRA
Reading Time: 3 minutes Yield losses of more than 50 per cent can occur from bluegrass competition in winter wheat. As well, because bluegrass species often head at the same time as winter wheat, they could intercept and reduce the amount of fusarium head blight fungicide that actually reaches the grain head (Figure 1 at top). There are several […] 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
PHOTOS: Pest Patrol: Maximum weed stage where herbicides are still effective
#PestPatrol with Mike Cowbrough, OMAFRA
Reading Time: < 1 minute A generation of glyphosate use has redefined what we mean by “apply herbicides to weeds that are small and actively growing.” Many interpret “small” to mean “about 15 cm” (six inches). If using “older” herbicides to manage glyphosate resistant weeds and your idea of small is 15 cm, then you may be disappointed with the […] Read more
Pest Patrol: Maximizing control of common lamb’s quarters
#PestPatrol with Mike Cowbrough, OMAFRA
Reading Time: 2 minutes Lamb’s quarters has consistently been identified as the most abundant and problematic weed affecting field crop production in Ontario even though the Pest Management Regulatory Agency database contains hundreds of herbicides that list lamb’s quarters as a susceptible weed. There is an arsenal of products available to farmers for the control of this weed, so […] Read more
A message from April Stewart, Country Guide's Associate Editor
