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Farmers in Nebraska, Kansas plan to update weed control management approach in
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC, April 23, 2012 -- As a sign farmers are responding to the threat of glyphosate resistance, 91 percent of farmers in Nebraska and Kansas plan to alter their weed control programs in 2012, according to results from a recent BASF survey.
More than 60 percent of farmers in the surveyed area acknowledged the existence of glyphosate-resistant weeds in their fields, and many of them blamed resistance for decreasing their yields. Even farmers who have not seen glyphosate resistance in their fields said they would make changes to their weed control programs.
Positive findings
These results encouraged weed experts such as Dan Westberg, Ph.D., Technical Market Manager, BASF.
“It indicates that farmers in Nebraska and Kansas understand that today’s weed control challenges demand the use of a more comprehensive management approach,” Westberg said. “For a long time, farmers relied almost solely on glyphosate to control their weed problems, but those days are over. The repeated use of a single chemistry is the number one reason many have developed resistant weed populations.”
The Weed Science Society of America (WSSA) already has confirmed four different species of yield-robbing glyphosate-resistant weeds in these states.1
“Farmers have to understand that resistance develops because consistent use of a specific site of action is basically selecting for resistance,” said Curtis Thompson, Ph.D., Kansas State University weed scientist. “So using multiple sites of action is one way to manage resistance.”
A majority of survey respondents acknowledged the need to do more, with 87 percent saying they would be willing to invest additional dollars to control resistant weeds.
More than one-third plan on adding multiple herbicide sites of action this year, and more than half said they would apply a preemergence herbicide before or at planting for a foundation of weed control. Thirty-eight percent said they would add tank mixes to their post applications. About one-third of respondents said they would work with a consultant to plan out their programs.
Not all are on board
Not every farmer agrees with these messages, as 13 percent of survey respondents said they would not spend anything more to control resistant weeds. Nearly one-fifth of respondents said they don’t believe resistant weeds even impact their yield, going against what weed scientists say.
“Many farmers say that they have heard of resistance, are aware of resistance, and are concerned about resistance,” Thompson said. “But when we talk about implementation that requires dollars, then we begin to see less participation - especially when they are not experiencing problems with resistant weeds.”
Resources available to help growers
Westberg said BASF and the WSSA have invested in a number of initiatives to help growers manage resistant weeds.
“BASF is focused on being a farmer’s number one partner for managing weed resistance and helping them to maximize yield,” Westberg said. “That is why we provide more corn and soybean herbicide sites of action than any other crop protection company.”
BASF also is dedicated to providing the solutions, technical support and educational tools to help farmers implement a weed management program that -- in addition to employing multiple herbicide sites of action -- includes proactive weed resistance management, as well as planning appropriately to help ensure effective, on-target applications. Farmers can visit http://agro.basf.us/stewardship/herbicide-best-practices.html for more information on herbicide best practices.
For more information on BASF Crop protection products, visit http://agproducts.basf.us, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
About the Crop Protection division
With sales of € 4.1 billion in 2011, BASF’s Crop Protection division is a leader in crop protection and a strong partner to the farming industry providing well-established and innovative fungicides, insecticides and herbicides. Farmers use these products and services to improve crop yields and crop quality. Other uses include public health, structural/urban pest control, turf and ornamental plants, vegetation management, and forestry. BASF aims to turn knowledge rapidly into market success. The vision of BASF’s Crop Protection division is to be the world’s leading innovator, optimizing agricultural production, improving nutrition, and thus enhancing the quality of life for a growing world population. Further information can be found on the web at www.agro.basf.com or follow us on twitter: www.twitter.com/basfagro.
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BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products and crop protection products to oil and gas. We combine economic success, social responsibility and environmental protection. Through science and innovation we enable our customers in almost all industries to meet the current and future needs of society. Our products and system solutions contribute to conserving resources, ensuring healthy food and nutrition and helping to improve the quality of life. We have summed up this contribution in our corporate purpose: We create chemistry for a sustainable future. BASF posted sales of about €73.5 billion in 2011 and had more than 111,000employees as of the end of the year. Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.
1 International Survey of Herbicide Resistant Weeds. (2011). Glycines (g/9) resistant weeds . Retrieved from http://www.weedscience.org/Summary/UniqueCountry.asp?lstCountryID=45&FmCountry=Go
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