Phragmites control with herbicides and biological agents
This post provides an overview of the research that has been done in Ontario to evaluate the control of phragmites with herbicides. […]
Category: Weeds
Bluegrass Management in Winter Wheat
Yield losses of over 50% can occur from bluegrass competition in winter wheat. Bluegrass species often head at the same time as winter wheat and could intercept and reduce the amount of fusarium head blight fungicide reaching the grain head (Figure 1). There are several species of bluegrass found in Ontario. Annual, roughstalk and Canada […]
Dog Strangling Vine Control with Herbicides
An invasive perennial weed from the milkweed family, dog strangling vine, is extremely difficult to control once it gets established (Figure 1). Progress has been made on biological control of this weed in Ontario through the release of Hypena opulenta, a leaf feeding caterpillar. However, integrated strategies that include both biological and chemical methods […]
Ontario Weed Committee
Pre-Harvest Herbicide Timing in Soybeans
A pre-harvest herbicide treatment can make harvest more efficient when there are an unacceptable number of weeds in a soybean crop. Both conventional and glyphosate tolerant fields that are weedy can benefit from a pre-harvest herbicide. Drier plant matter will pass more easily through the combine, lowering seed losses and reducing seed staining… […]
Waterhemp: biology and control
This post will serve as a repository for all information associated with the management and control of waterhemp in Ontario. […]
Mixing “ATS” with herbicides: The importance of a “jar test”
Each year I get more questions about mixing the liquid fertilizer, ammonium thiosulphate (ATS) with herbicides. With reductions in atmospheric Sulphur deposits, Ontario research has shown positive yield responses in some crops when Sulphur fertilizers are applied and so it makes sense that farmers are looking at ways to add Sulphur to their crop in […]
Controlling Scentless Chamomile with Herbicides
Scentless chamomile has a reputation for being difficult to control and a 2019 on-farm research trial evaluated several herbicide treatments. Although 10 treatments provided over 80% visual control of emerged plants, new seedlings continued to emerge several weeks after application resulting in a significant amount of plants at the end of August. In order to […]
Wild carrot biology and control
The following link will take you to a .pdf version of the wild carrot chapter from the book entitled “Problem Weed Guide for Ontario Crops – Volume 1” […]
What’s Working on the Farm? Practical Solutions for Problem Weeds
“Do not be cheap. Weed control is an investment into the current and future crops on every field.” That was parting advice from Norfolk and Oxford County farmer Ann Vermeersch at the 2019 FarmSmart Conference in Guelph. In front of 80 farmers and agronomists, I moderated a session with Vermeersch and Steph Kowalski, a […]
Managing Glyphosate Resistant Canada Fleabane with Cover Crops and Tillage
My colleague Dr. Clarence Swanton (University of Guelph) used to say that based on research he did in the 1980’s, one should not expect to control weeds with cover crops. Their utility was in preventing soil erosion and improving soil health but not in significantly reducing weed populations. However, Dr. Swanton has had to re-think […]
Guide to Weed Control in Field Crops – Pub 75A
The OMAFRA Guide to Weed Control for Field Crops (Publication 75A) is available in the following formats: ELECTRONIC ENGLISH VERSION (PDF): click to download ELECTRONIC FRENCH VERSION (PDF): click to download PRINT VERSIONS: Go to Publications Ontario and search the term “Guide to Weed Control” […]
Common ragweed: biology and control
The latest best management practices for common ragweed competing in corn, soybean and winter wheat can be found here: Common ragweed control (Source: Problem Weed Guide for Ontario Crops) […]
Corn – 2,4-D or not 2,4-D? Situational with Sikkema
In, Dealing with Escapes – What will they cost you? , we discussed late emerging weeds and their effect on corn yield. We also discussed some points to consider beyond the effect the weeds will have on yield and why you might consider a post application. A post-emergence application can provide you with the opportunity to control […]
Soybean – Weeds Free?
Previously we discussed the possible benefits of using a pre-emergence soil applied herbicide application in a 2-pass weed management plan. Those benefits include protecting yield, providing a wider window for a post-emergence application and as a resistance management strategy. In this installment we look at the effect of weed emergence, following a pre-emergence application, on […]