MADISON, Wis. (RFD News) — Extreme heat across much of farm country is creating favorable conditions for waterhemp.
Dr. Rodrigo Werle with the University of Wisconsin–Madison says the combination of heat and adequate soil moisture is allowing the weed to grow rapidly.
“So, we have a crop that is actively growing. We have a problematic weed out there that’s called waterhemp. A lot of our farmers are dealing with and struggling to manage this weed, and this weed just loves the weather that we’re dealing with this week, where we have plenty of moisture in the soil and heat. A lot of heat, so this weed is going to grow fast. So, we’re telling growers that they’ve got to be pulling the trigger. Otherwise, if we wait another week here or so, these weeds are going to be too tall. We’re not going to be able to manage them.”
A large portion of farm country remains under a heat dome, though temperatures are expected to moderate later this week.
