Keeping canola out of your soybean fields

Keeping canola out of your soybean fields

Volunteer canola: 
Western Canada’s fourth 
most abundant weed

Volunteer canola is thriving in Western Canada. In the 1970s, volunteer canola was the 18th most abundant weed. Today it is the fourth most common in Western Canada. Volunteer canola is especially problematic where herbicide-resistant crops, like soybeans, are added to the rotation. Volunteer canola is a unique weed because it is derived from growing […] Read more


Is rotating your herbicides enough?

Is rotating your herbicides enough?

Integrated weed management can slow herbicide resistance, but rotation is just one piece

Integrated weed management (IWM) is not rotating herbicides or modes of action. IWM is combining one of more different weed management techniques, such as chemical, cultural, physical or biological weed control. Some IWM methods are easy to implement, such as making sure you select good, certified seed that will grow vigorously and out-compete weeds. Seeding […] Read more

Wild oat is the most abundant weed in Saskatchewan. Researcher Hugh Beckie says it’s safe to assume that wild oat in your field is resistant to Group 1 herbicides. 


Fighting herbicide-resistance

Herbicide resistant weeds aren’t a novelty anymore — now they’re just the norm

While herbicide resistance isn’t a new problem, it is a growing one. Today 80 countries report herbicide-resistant weeds, says a researcher. And Canada is near the top of that list. Dr. Ian Heap heads the international survey on herbicide-resistant weeds, and reported those findings at the Herbicide Resistance Summit in Saskatoon this March. “North America […] Read more


soybean field

Weed management in soybeans

With high seed prices, farmers will be tempted to lower soybean seeding rates

Soybean farmers have been facing a growing threat to their bottom line: rising seed costs. Seeds for the very popular glyphosate resistant cultivars have increased in price by $47.75 an hectare (or 230 per cent) since they were first introduced in 1996. This trend is likely to continue given soon-to-be-introduced varieties with new herbicide resistant […] Read more

corn field

Avoiding herbicide resistance

Worried weed scientists gather to discuss the future of weed control without new chemistry

The loss of glyphosate is something that we should all lament,” said Steven Powles, director of Australia’s Herbicide Resistance Initiative. Powles compared the importance of glyphosate to penicillin, calling it a one-in-100 year herbicide. Powles was speaking to a gathering of weed scientists at the Weed Science Society of America’s second herbicide resistance summit in […] Read more


Swather in a field.

Diversify rotations to slow resistance

Diversify canola-wheat rotations to save profit margins and slow
 weed resistance, before it’s too late

Scientists warn that a serious threat to sustainable crop production in Canada continues to grow. Surveys indicate the number of western Canadian fields containing Group 1 and Group 2 herbicide-resistant weeds has jumped dramatically. In addition, glyphosate-resistant kochia continues to spread rapidly in the west, while glyphosate-resistant giant ragweed, Canada fleabane and common ragweed carry […] Read more

Woman standing in a canola field.

Five tips for controlling weeds in canola

At the top of Angela Brackenreed’s list of key weed management tactics are tried and true practices familiar to all growers, but this Canola Council of Canada’s agronomy specialist stresses these strategies, however familiar, deserve serious consideration when fighting weeds. 1. Scouting is key for any agronomic issue in production, says Brackenreed. “If you’re not in […] Read more


Wheat field with blue sky in background.

Saving your seed

While there are many benefits to using certified seed, not all farmers plan to buy it. 
Here are some tips for farmers saving seed

Using certified seed allows farmers to focus on growing and provides quality seed with potentially new marketing opportunities for the crop, risk management, and access to new varieties, says Lorena Pahl, general manager of the Alberta Seed Growers’ Association. “Certified seed captures the full benefits of a plant breeding program — not just the first […] Read more