View from the Cab: Too soon to talk weeds?

By Kent Casson

It may be November, but there’s never a bad time to talk weed control out in the field.

Farmers often have to navigate the options which work best for them in order to deal with pesky weeds, such as waterhemp, which emerge in fields each summer just when you think the field is clear.

Understanding the inconsistent performance of Glufosinate for waterhemp control will be the theme of an upcoming online webinar from Field Advisor on Tuesday, Dec. 9, funded by the Illinois Soybean Checkoff program.

Dr. Patrick Tranel will highlight research aimed at improving how Glufosinate is used, including when and how to apply it for best results. Those attending will also hear an update on the status of herbicide resistance and what research is being done to help farmers identify resistance problems sooner while preserving effective herbicide options for the future.

Tranel is the Ainsworth Professor and Associate Head in the Department of Crop Sciences at the University of Illinois. He joined the university in the late 1990s and has been teaching undergraduate and graduate students about weed science both on campus and more recently through the online Master of Science program. As weeds have evolved, so has the research Tranel conducts. He uses molecular and genomic approaches to better understand how weeds evolve to the various tools farmers use to control them.

A Galena native, Tranel earned his bachelor’s degree in agronomy from Iowa State University, a master’s in weed science from Washington State University and doctorate in botany from Michigan State University.

The Dec. 9 webinar will be offered online via Zoom and you can register at the following link: https://share.hsforms.com/1FBw2VpA8Sd6YcVhKgxANMgdc61z?utm_campaign=ILSoyAdvisor%20Updates%20%26%20Events&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9XYmPXb-FJ_spfc6IS5Pth2TAk76V-eHWN_dFCbF9Wzu-AkbVoZARVC65b-gwGpM9r7Zm6XmrllOo_tcxCRpbRiPq34A&_hsmi=390360621&utm_content=390360621&utm_source=hs_email.

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