Extension specialist offers insight navigating the challenges of evolving weed management in ag practices

Recent reports from Bayer and Corteva indicate the emergence of suspected herbicide-resistant waterhemp populations in Iowa.

Bayer reported dicamba-resistant waterhemp, while Corteva identified a suspected 2, 4-D-resistant population. An Extension Field Specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach emphasized the need for further studies to confirm that.

“Well, suspected population. So that’s always— it’s kind of an intensive process to go through to prove that a population is surviving 2,4-D at an unexpectedly high rate compared with like what a natural population out in the environment might do. And so they— I believe they’ve gone through one round of testing and they’ll do one more this spring. And so, if it survives like they think it has been. Right. If it’s proven to be resistant, then they should be able to do that yet this summer,” according to Meaghan Anderson.

She highlighted the significance of these findings, cautioning against over-reliance on herbicides like 2, 4-D. She stresses the importance of implementing comprehensive weed management programs to slow the evolution of resistance while effectively controlling waterhemp.

Related Stories
Laramie Sandquist discusses Nationwide Agribusiness’s commitment to grain bin safety initiatives, including providing life-saving equipment and training to fire departments across the country.
Brooks York with Agri-Sompo discusses how this year’s pricing period played out and what it could mean for farmers heading into the end of the season.
China’s crusher losses and Brazil tensions, Gale warns, could reopen critical soybean trade channels for U.S. producers.
Persistently low Mississippi River levels are turning logistics challenges into pricing risks — tightening margins for grain producers and exporters across the heartland.
The WASDE/Crop Production combo will be the first full read on supply, demand, and yield that could move basis and hedging plans since the government shutdown more than a month ago.
China’s grain expansion model may be hitting its limit. Lower prices, high rents, and policy fatigue threaten future output — with ripple effects across global feed and oilseed markets.

Agriculture Shows
Special 3-part series tells the story of the Claas family’s legacy, which changed agriculture forever.
From soil to harvest. Top Crop is an all-new series about four of the best farmers in the world—Dan Luepkes, of Oregan, Illinois; Cory Atley, of Cedarville, Ohio; Shelby Fite, of Jackson Center, Ohio; Russell Hedrick, of Hickory, North Carolina—reveals what it takes for them to make a profitable crop. It all starts with good soil, patience, and a strong planter setup.
Champions of Rural America is a half-hour dive into the legislative priorities for Rural America. Join us as we interview members of the Congressional Western Caucus to learn about efforts in Washington to preserve agriculture and tackles the most important topics in the ag industry on Champions of Rural America!
Featuring members of Congress, federal and state officials, ag and food leaders, farmers, and roundtable panelists for debates and discussions.