Kochia is becoming an increasing problem across the southern part of Alberta.

Controlling herbicide-resistant kochia requires some different strategies

While tillage in general can harm soil health, a strategic targeted approach can help bury the seed

Reading Time: 3 minutes It’s time for a new mode of action for kochia control, but not one found in a jug of chemical. “We’ve had several years in a row of favourable conditions for kochia growth. That also can contribute to selection pressure for resistance, when herbicides are some of the primary measures that we’re using to manage […] Read more

How do you manage resistant pests?

How do you manage resistant pests?

Reading Time: < 1 minute Farmers are being asked to share their strategies on how to manage weed, insect and disease resistance. The contest offers prizes (iPads and Tim Hortons gift cards) for winning entries. “The Pest Management Challenge is an opportunity to get people talking and to encourage the adoption of resistance management best practices,” said Jennifer Hubert, an […] Read more


Wild oats is currently resistant to the most number of herbicide groups of any weed.

Wild oat a growing resistance challenge that can’t be ignored

Keep an eye on your fields this summer and be ready to tackle the problem when you see it

Reading Time: 2 minutes If you rely solely on crop protection products to fend off wild oats, you’re not going to like the eventual bottom line. Herbicide-resistant strains of the weed are going to mean you’ll eventually run out of luck. It’s not a new problem, but every year it gets just a little bit more concerning. “Resistance is […] Read more

Keep a sharp lookout for wild oats that may be herbicide resistant and get suspicious ones tested, says Hannah Konschuh, who farms near Cluny.

Face herbicide-resistant wild oats head on, say producers

New video gives the view of three Prairie farmers who have been hit by resistant weeds and battled back

Reading Time: 4 minutes Don’t turn a blind eye: Admit you’ve got a problem and get on top of it right away. The issue is herbicide-resistant wild oats and that’s the advice from a trio of Prairie producers in a new video from the Resistant Wild Oat Action Committee. “It’s definitely something that it pays to get on sooner […] Read more


In this photo from Mike Cowbrough’s October 2019 Pest Patrol column in Country Guide, light-green waterhemp plants approach the top of a soybean canopy after two ineffective applications of glyphosate. (Supplied photo)

Group 27 herbicide resistance arrives in Canada

Mesotrione-resistant waterhemp confirmed in Quebec

A persistent and fiercely competitive weed that has developed resistance to several herbicide groups since its arrival in Canada is now the first in the country to fight off a Group 27 product. Quebec’s Reseau d’avertissement phytosanitaire (RAP) last Friday reported a patch of waterhemp with resistance to mesotrione herbicide in the Haut-Richelieu municipality, in […] Read more

The lowdown on wild oat resistance

Reading Time: < 1 minute Currently, 69 per cent of wild oats on the Prairies have some type of herbicide resistance, and there are limited control options if the weed has developed both Group 1 and 2 resistance. In light of this, the Resistant Wild Oat Action Committee is working to develop increased awareness, beginning with a series of infographics. […] Read more


Farming Smarter’s field day in early July had an unusual aspect — attendees — who heard from several speakers, including researcher Lewis Baarda.

Forget the silver bullet, bring out the arsenal against kochia

Study using multiple methods to control one of the most dangerous weeds on the Prairies

Reading Time: 4 minutes If it’s a one-on-one battle, put your money on kochia. The pernicious weed is not only a prolific seed producer, thrives in harsh conditions, and spreads its progeny far and wide, it’s also a master when it comes to developing resistance to herbicides. So producers are urged to use a variety of ‘best management practices’ […] Read more

When this year’s edition of the Blue Book comes out in spring, take a bit of time to explore “hidden gems of information,” says crop specialist and co-author Harry Brook.

Crop protection Blue Book is popular, but not fully appreciated

Co-author says annual crop protection manual has valuable info on modes of action, resistance, and other topics

Reading Time: 2 minutes The Blue Book is known for its comprehensive list of pesticide products for use on major field crops, but the crop protection manual has “vast amounts of additional information,” says its co-editor. “These pages contain the hidden gems of information that are valuable to producers,” said provincial crop specialist Harry Brook. One example is herbicide […] Read more


This Alberta field is being overrun by kochia — likely a type resistant to two or even three modes of action. Canada already ranks third in terms of herbicide-resistant weed and the problem is quickly worsening, says a leading expert.

In the weeds: Canadian farmers can’t stay ahead of herbicide resistance

The problem is huge, rapidly getting worse, and non-chemical weed control is becoming a necessity

Reading Time: 4 minutes Farmers won’t be able to spray their way out of this — Canada is now third in the world when it comes to weeds able to survive pesticides that used to kill them. “We’re quickly being overrun by herbicide-resistant weeds,” said federal research scientist Charles Geddes. “There have been difficult herbicide-resistant weeds in the past, […] Read more

Pesticide makers create resistance website

Pesticide makers create resistance website

Reading Time: < 1 minute The organization representing pesticide makers has a new online tool to help minimize herbicide resistance on farms. Three out of five Canadian growers are now dealing with herbicide-resistant weeds, Paul Hoekstra, a senior official at Syngenta and chair of CropLife Canada’s resistance management committee, said in a news release. Manage Resistance Now promotes using a […] Read more