"Geddes says variable spring weather makes early-season weed control a challenge for many growers. Dry conditions can delay weed emergence, allowing some weeds to escape pre-seed burn-off applications and placing more pressure on in-crop herbicide timing. That shift matters because "that's really the window where we're primarily selecting for resistance right now," he says. Long-term Prairie weed surveys show overall weed densities declined for decades, but more recent data point to a gradual increase in both weed pressure and herbicide resistance."
"Research from Geddes' program consistently shows that competitive crops are one of the most effective non-chemical tools available to growers. Increasing seeding rates and improving seedbed utilization can help crops suppress weeds, reduce weed seed production, and improve the effectiveness of herbicides. While higher seeding rates may be difficult to justify in canola due to input costs, small grain cereals can be used strategically ahead of canola to reduce weed pressure and limit seed return to the soil."
Variable spring weather creates challenges for early-season weed control by delaying weed emergence and reducing the effectiveness of pre-seed burn-off, shifting selection pressure into the in-crop herbicide window. Recent data show increasing weed pressure and growing herbicide resistance after decades of decline. Reliance solely on herbicides increases risk as new resistant species continue to appear. Competitive crops reduce weed seed production and improve herbicide performance; strategies include higher seeding rates, better seedbed utilization, and using small grain cereals ahead of canola. Narrow row spacing and higher plant populations also lower weed seed return. Coordinated planning, crop rotation, and rotating herbicide modes of action reduce resistance selection.
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