Holloway, Minnesota, USA
August 14, 2012
Continual use of glyphosate herbicides alone has led to a weed resistance crisis in many parts of the United States, with farmers struggling with severe weed problems while watching profits drain from their pocketbooks. At the Respect the Rotation™ field day in Holloway, Minn. on July 17, sponsored by Bayer CropScience, 75 farmers, retailers, seed company and association representatives heard warnings from those in the forefront of the problem about what is right around the corner, if not already present - resistance. They listened to the latest updates on giant ragweed, waterhemp, kochia and resistance hot spots, as well as timely information on how to reduce the potential for resistance issues to emerge on their farms.
Field plots at the event clearly demonstrated what can occur with lack of herbicide diversity. Many attendees saw a reflection of what they already see in their fields at home.
“We have multiple herbicide resistance in several weed species in North Dakota and Minnesota,” said Jeff Stachler, North Dakota State University and University of Minnesota weed scientist. “Glyphosate resistance doesn’t concern me anymore. It’s multiple resistance that farmers need to be worried about. And, they must act now to ensure that proper rotation of crops, traits and herbicides become a key part of their weed management program. We’re past the point waiting to see what happens.”
“More than at any time in our history, farmers must manage for weed control or face the loss of productivity, sustainability and their legacy to future generations,” Kevin Thorsness, Bayer CropScience technical services representative explained. “These integrated weed management practices provide a solid foundation to preserve conservation tillage, steward additional herbicide-tolerant technologies and promote sustainable and profitable row crop production.”
Attendees were also able to see how innovative solutions from Bayer can be incorporated into their management programs to deter resistance development through a variety of tools. Plots included a range of Bayer products, including LibertyLink® technology and Liberty® herbicide, Coruvs® herbicide and Huskie Complete® herbicide.
“Bayer is dedicated to bringing game-changing technologies like LibertyLink and Liberty to market to help address the most important agronomic challenges farmers face,” added Thorsness. “These solutions are a perfect fit for the principles of Respect the Rotation.”
“The goal of the initiative is to promote farmer adoption of diversified management practices that help manage or prevent herbicide-resistant weeds, as well as promote stewardship of viable alternatives,” he continued. “LibertyLink soybeans, Corvus herbicide and Huskie Complete are a perfect fit.”
The in-field learning experience was valuable, according to Chuck Nolting, retailer in Holloway, Minn. “We need to take advantage of the different opportunities we have with crop rotation and the different modes of action in herbicides,” he said.
The Respect the Rotation initiative, conducted by Bayer and local university scientists, promotes rotation of crops, herbicide-tolerant traits and modes of action to encourage greater diversity in herbicide programs and reinforce the principals of Integrated Weed Management. It encourages the use of multiple chemical, cultural and mechanical control methods where feasible.
The Holloway, Minn. Respect the Rotation event is one of several programs conducted throughout the South and Midwest this summer. The program, in its third year, provides a forum for education and discussion on management of resistant weeds. During that time, Bayer has seen positive changes implemented throughout the weed science and agricultural industry communities, as well as by farmers and influencers at the field level.
Additional information about weed resistance management or Respect the Rotation, including educational tools, is available online at http://www.bayercropscience.us/products/weed-management/.
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