The three worst forage weeds

The three worst forage weeds

The benefit of attending of Saskatchewan Agriculture’s Crop Diagnostic School at Swift Current last July was having the opportunity to get an up-close look at problems farmers face every season. One of the experts on hand was Rachel Turnquist, a regional forage specialist with Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Agriculture. Turnquist gave us a look at what

Glyphosate-resistant kochia is the latest warning sign for Manitoba farmers.

Herbicide resistance quietly growing problem in Manitoba

Multi-pronged weed control strategies that go beyond chemicals are urged by researchers

Farmers may lose the war against herbicide-resistant weeds if they don’t start using other forms of control besides chemicals, a University of Manitoba weed scientist says. Herbicide resistance, common in other countries, is starting to appear in Western Canada and it’s just a matter of time before it becomes prevalent here too, Rob Gulden warns.


Sandblasting might be a way to kill weeds and leave crops unharmed, lowering the environmental impact of weed control measures and giving organic growers other options.

Abrasive weeding mechanically controls weeds without tillage

A Minnesota-based USDA agronomist had the idea 
after a bumper apricot crop

A new research project in the U.S. Midwest aims to blast weeds away — literally. The technique is known as abrasive weeding and it basically amounts to sandblasting weeds. It all started when Minnesota experienced a bumper crop of backyard apricots in 2007. Frank Forcella, a USDA weed scientist and agronomist, was left with a

How to fall apply Avadex and Fortress

Getting the application technique right will make these products more effective

Apply Avadex and Fortress in the fall after the surface soil temperature is below 4 C and within three weeks of soil freeze-up. This situation generally occurs by October 1 across Western Canada. A single heavy harrow pass is sufficient for incorporation in minimum- and zero-till fields. Good soil contact is necessary for these herbicides


Four steps to managing herbicides

Four steps to managing herbicides

Cutting herbicide resistance risks comes down to managing herbicides, in part. Here are four tips for doing that better, courtesy of Kate Sanford Mitchell, who manages Bayer CropScience’s herbicide and insecticide portfolios for oilseeds.

Editorial: Peace and prosperity

Maybe it’s time for agriculture to climb down from its wartime footing. For decades now it’s been a battle as farmers fight nature, red in tooth and claw, to prevent crop damages and loss. It’s hardly surprising when you consider the historical context out of which our modern Green Revolution agriculture sprang. It took off


Anita Gilmer, acting national manager of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency spoke on the new Weed Seed Order during the recently held Canadian Seed Growers’ Association’s annual general meeting in early July.

Changes to the CFIA’s weed seed classifications

A new Weed Seed Order listing prohibited species takes effect November 1

The Canadian seed trade is being reminded to watch for changes to the CFIA’s Weed Seed Order (WSO), which specifies which species are allowable in pedigreed seed. “When we are purchasing seed at a time when the new WSO is coming into effect, it is best to mention in your purchasing contracts that the product

[L to R] Haley, summer horticulture technician; Tammy Johannsen, president of ACC Foundation; Danielle Tichit, ACC Agribusiness instructor; Greg Esplin, board member of MZTRA; Rick Grey, chair of ACC Agriculture and Environment; and Natasha, ACC Agribusiness student cut the ribbon for the opening of the MZTRA-ACC Weed Identification Garden.

A new resource to hone weed-identification skills

Funds remaining from former zero-till research farm will support a spot to see 
more than 80 of the province’s weed species

It’s been said a weed is but an unloved flower, but now weeds have a garden of their own in WestMan. That’s important because sometimes it can be hard to tell some weed species apart, and control methods can be vexingly target-specific. That makes it important to know just what you’re dealing with, and is


A Canada thistle seedling. (Photo courtesy Canola Council of Canada)

Rain holds up spraying as weeds thrive in Manitoba

CNS Canada –– A steady dose of rain to start the week has put a crimp on herbicide applications across Manitoba. While weeds weren’t noticeable a few weeks ago due to the relative dryness, they’re definitely becoming more noticeable, according to crop watchers. “We know that with the rain and warmer temperatures, both the crops

Top 10 weed management practices

Top 10 weed management practices

Herbicide resistant weeds are no longer a novelty, they’re the norm

Hugh Beckie, a research scientist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, said it’s a challenge to get farmers to implement herbicide-resistance best management practices (BMP) because growers are diverse, and one size doesn’t fit all. But Beckie has found that growers who use BMPs tend to have less herbicide resistance. So, in the spirit of David