While some folks just love to know what plants are in their fields, others just want to manage their weeds and get on with farming. Why is it important to know what weeds are growing in your fields, drive lanes, and hedgerows?
– Many weeds have developed herbicide resistance around the country. With farm materials – equipment, seeds, and amendments – arriving from around the country, the risk of accidentally adding an herbicide resistant weed to your farm has gotten higher. Knowing what weeds have survived spring management will help you identify problem populations before they become widespread.
– Sometimes similar-looking weeds have different management strategies. For example our common pigweed species all emerge early in the season and are well managed through early cultivation or post-emergent herbicide application. Water hemp and Palmer amaranth, which have both found their way into New York, emerge all summer long and require either repeated cultivation or both pre- and post- emergent herbicide applications.
– Some pasture weeds are toxic to animals; knowing these will keep your livestock safe.
– Some hedgerow weeds can cause rashes or burns. Knowing how to identify wild parsnip, giant hogweed and poison ivy can save you and your crews from dealing with potentially severe reactions.
– Some weeds aren’t very competitive with your crop. Knowing which weeds AREN’T a problem can save time and money in your weed management program.
– Some weeds can be beneficial to the overall farming landscape.
