Resistant Wild Oat Action Committee (RWOAC)
Term: 2 years, beginning in 2021
Status: Ongoing
Funding Amount: $92,000.00
Lead Researcher(s): Dr. Eric Johnson (University of Saskatchewan)
Funding Partners: Alberta Wheat Commission (AWC), Manitoba Crop Alliance (MCA), Saskatchewan Forage Seed Development Commission
Project Description
Field surveys on the Canadian Prairies have reported that 69% of fields sampled for wild oats contain wild oats with some level of herbicide resistance (HR). In response to a public request, the Canadian Weed Science Society recently formed a Resistant Wild Oat Action Committee. The committee consists of 12 members representing a cross-section of the agricultural industry, including producers, research scientists, government, agrichemical industry, and retail agronomists, The short term objectives of this project are to compile global knowledge on wild oat biology and management; engage producers, agronomists and scientists in a community based pilot project focused on HR wild oats in central Alberta; Disseminate HR wild oat information to producers and agronomists; Increase the number of wild oat samples submitted for HR testing and identify research gaps in order to develop new research initiatives. The project involves a multi-faceted approach to addressing the resistance issue. Funding for a part-time manager is requested to coordinate a number of activities including: developing inventory of past and current research on wild oat biology and management; a voluntary producer testing program to increase awareness; an extension and awareness program (direct mail, webpage, social media); a series of regional producer meetings that includes “listening sessions”’ to encourage the formation of a community based pilot project. Outcomes include increased awareness of resistance issue, producer-led community based solutions to manage herbicide resistance in wild oat, and readily available extension materials. The long-term objective is to have a viable, ongoing Resistant Wild Oat Action Committee.