UW-Extension Weed Specialist Investigating Why Waterhemp Control Measures are Failing Again

Sunday, October 22nd, 2023 -- 8:00 AM

(Wisconsin Ag Connection) University of Wisconsin-Extension weed specialist Dr. Rodrigo Werle is investigating why waterhemp control measures are failing again in 2023.

According to the Wisconsin Ag Connection, waterhemp, a pigweed species, has been a major problem for Wisconsin farmers for over a decade, cutting yields, confounding consultants on control, and spreading statewide.

Despite a dry year, which typically makes weed control more difficult, Werle said he has received reports of control measures failing in both corn and soybean fields across multiple herbicide platforms.

Werle is partnering with the Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board and the Wisconsin Corn Growers Association to collect waterhemp seeds from farmers to investigate why they are resistant to herbicides.

The seed collection effort requires no time from participating farmers, and Werle anticipates having some of the first answers about what makes waterhemp seeds resistant to herbicides by next summer.

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