Improving weed management for Saskatchewan growers

• Term: Three years, beginning in 2016

• Status: Complete

• Funding Amount: $43,996

• Lead Researcher(s): Chris Willenborg (U of S)

• Funding Partners: Saskatchewan Canola Development Commission (SCDC), Saskatchewan Flax Development Commission (SFDC)

Project Description

This project seeks to renew the funding of essential core technical research support for the weed science research program in the Department of Plant Sciences at the University of Saskatchewan.

The program has been very successful over the past four years and has developed a solid relationship with industry and growers alike. This has led to sustained funding from industry for the herbicide efficacy research conducted by the program and it is expected to continue with this client base into the future.

In 2014, it was estimated that growers in Saskatchewan spent over $800 million on herbicides. Despite improvements in crop competitive ability and cultural weed management, herbicides are the still the most effective method of weed management utilized by growers in Saskatchewan. Herbicides represent a major expense to growers and now represent the second most expensive crop production input after fertilizers. At the same time, the number of herbicide resistant weeds continues to increase, with new cases, such as glyphosate resistant kochia in Alberta, demonstrating the need for improved herbicide regimes, new herbicide options, and alternative methods of weed management.

This project objectives and goals will enable the research conducted to continue to seek new herbicide options and test herbicide efficacy for the benefit of Saskatchewan growers. In addition, it will continue to develop new weed management tactics and integrated methods to help mitigate the development of herbicide resistant weeds. This research will allow for the continuation of the work previously done in the program focusing on new herbicides, improved herbicide efficacy, and the judicious use of herbicides.