Weed Tour highlights latest strategies for crop management

JACKSON, Tenn. — More than 150 row crop producers gathered for field day at the West Tennessee AgResearch Center in Jackson Wednesday.

This is part of University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture’s annual Weed Tour.

The field day was all about equipping producers with the latest research-based strategies for effective weed management.

“Given the fact that we’ve had such a wet spring and all the applications for herbicides are compressed into a shorter time; we know it’s difficult, the weeds are growing,” said Tom Mueller, UT Professor, Plant Sciences Department. “We want to be the best possible stewards for the herbicides we are spraying.”

Weed control is a major challenge in modern agriculture, experts say especially when considering the economic pressures of low commodity prices and high input costs.

“The foundation of the weed control strategy is to have systems that are effective, economical and environmentally sustainable, and sometimes to meet all three of those criteria is very difficult,” Mueller said.

Farmers face significant costs for weed control, including labor, herbicides, and equipment.

Experts say over-reliance on certain herbicides has led to herbicide-resistant weed populations, requiring more expensive and potentially less effective control methods.

Weed crop specialist, Larry Steckel, says that’s why it’s important to hold field days like this and give producers the opportunity to learn what to to expert as the year progresses.

Steckel hosted the event along with graduate students from the UT Herbert College of Agriculture.

For more information on weed control, visit utcrops.com or contact your local county extension office. For future events taking place at the West Tennessee AgResearch Center, including the Summer Celebration — an educational opportunity for gardeners — click here.

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