Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
May 20, 2013
Glyphosate-resistant weeds are becoming a problem for more growers each year. From county extension and university studies to independent surveys, industry results show that glyphosate-resistant weeds are spreading geographically and at an alarming rate. FMC Agricultural Products understands that growers need to implement weed management best practices now to ensure the best results for their crop in the future.
"Glyphosate resistance continues to make weed control more difficult," said Brent Neuberger, FMC Agricultural Products North America senior technical sales manager. "As the number of weed species exhibiting glyphosate resistance increases, FMC can help growers by providing excellent crop protection options to fit into their weed management programs."
According to a 2011 study conducted by Stratus Agri-Marketing, 34 percent of growers surveyed said they have glyphosate-resistant weeds on their farm. That number increased to 49 percent in the 2012 survey by Stratus. Regions vary widely in the degree of infestation with 92 percent of growers in Georgia reporting that they have glyphosate-resistant weeds compared to 43 percent of Illinois growers. Midwestern states are rapidly catching up with reported acres almost doubling in Nebraska, Iowa and Indiana from 2011 to 2012.
According to Stratus, the total U.S. area affected by glyphosate-resistant weeds has increased from 32.6 million acres in 2010 to 61.2 million acres in 2012. Additionally, the number of growers reporting multiple species of glyphosate-resistant weeds has increased annually from 12 percent in 2010 to 15 percent in 2011 to 27 percent in 2012. Glyphosate resistance has been documented in both broadleaf and grass species. The most widespread of these are marestail and Palmer Amaranth, ranging from the South through the Midwest and much of the High Plains. Glyphosate-resistant waterhemp, giant ragweed and common ragweed are also widely distributed in these geographies. Nine additional glyphosate-resistant weeds are found in one or more states.
Neuberger suggests that growers needing faster and better activity in their burndown programs to control glyphosate-resistant broadleaf weeds add Aim®, Cadet® or MarvelTM herbicides by FMC to their tank mix. “The Authority® herbicides are also a perfect match to be used in Roundup Ready® or LibertyLink® soybean management systems,” Neuberger said. “They provide excellent control of waterhemp, morningglories, lambsquarters, pigweeds and other small-seeded broadleaves that glyphosate might be missing.”
In addition, FMC recommends growers use best management practices when dealing with glyphosate-resistant weeds including:
- Scouting fields for weeds early and often
- Planting into clean, weed-free fields and keeping fields weed free throughout the growing season
- Using multiple herbicides with different modes of action throughout the growing season
- Controlling weeds early when they are relatively small
- Applying herbicides at the recommended rate and time
- Managing weed escapes to prevent weeds from reproducing
- Cleaning equipment between fields to reduce spreading weeds
- Managing field borders to prevent weed migration into fields
Whatever the crop, no matter the weed, FMC has a solution with a full line of preemergence, postemergence and tank mix herbicides that take down tough weeds including glyphosate-resistant varieties. For more information on FMC crop protection products, please visit www.FMCcrop.com. Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FMCcrop.
FMC Corporation is a diversified chemical company serving agricultural, industrial, environmental and consumer markets globally for more than a century with innovative solutions, applications and quality products. In 2012, FMC had annual sales of approximately $3.7 billion. The company employs approximately 5,700 people throughout the world, and operates its businesses in three segments: Agricultural Products, Specialty Chemicals and Industrial Chemicals.
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