Page 32 October 25, 2013 2013 LOGAN COUNTY FARM OUTLOOK MAGAZINE LINCOLN DAILY NEWS.com
T
he practice of farming has
been a dynamic industry
from its beginning.
But just as technology has
transformed our everyday lives,
it has also dramatically changed
farming.
From GPS-coordinated combines
with integrated recording
applications for precision crop
information, to accelerated
development of new hybrid
seeds, genetically modified seed
with traits resistant to insects and
tolerant to specific herbicides,
never before have there been
more choices available to the
farmer.
When it comes to crops, one of
the less predictable variables, yet
offering the widest opportunities
in how to farm, is that of pest
controls.
Pests, as defined as United States
Department of Agriculture, are
weeds, insects and diseases.
What are the primary pest
concerns for today’s farmer?
Weeds! Worse yet, glyphosate-
resistant weeds -- resistant to
Roundup weedkiller.
According to local University of
Extension adviser John Fulton,
local fields are seeing two of the
22 globally problematic weeds:
waterhemp, found primarily in
soybeans, and mare’s-tail. And
not so far away, Indiana adds
giant ragweed to waterhemp and
mare’s-tail.
The development of plant
varieties tolerant to herbicides
has led to simpler, less expensive
weed control and better
stewardship of the land through
reduced tillage. Now, however,
after 30 years of heavy use
and dependency on Roundup
(glyphosate), some changes are
needed.
In November 2012, a Purdue
Extension research report said:
“The existence of glyphosate-
resistant weeds requires
Waterhemp
Mare’s-tail
Giant ragweed
Story by Jan Youngquist
D
o we
have new
variables in insect,
disease and weed control?
