Putting Tactics To Work To Manage Resistant Weeds

By: Rebecca Vittetoe

Using herbicides to manage weeds is a relatively simple system. It provides farmers with more time to manage weeds, less soil disturbance and a high efficacy against target weeds. This system is also relatively simple for weeds to overcome through resistance, and weed resistance to herbicides comes with a big price tag.

Herbicide resistance costs farmers $20 to $60 or more per acre, according to a recent study by USDA’s Economic Research Service (see ers.usda.gov).

The cost of diversifying weed management programs to prevent resistance is more economical than managing resistant weeds with fewer herbicide options. Once weed resistance occurs, it will likely remain in a field forever.

Weeds Week is an ISU program that addresses herbicide resistance and develops long-term weed management strategies. ISU Extension field agronomists conducted this year’s workshops at five locations from July 18 to 22. Primary goals were to increase knowledge and awareness about herbicide resistance and management of herbicide-resistant weeds.