Canadian County wheat producers who have had problems with weeds will have an opportunity to hear experts talk about how to address the issue on Dec. 7.
Canadian County OSU Extension Agent Brad Tipton has put together a one-day seminar at the Canadian Valley Technology Center which features Oklahoma State University professors.
“There are currently some huge issues confronting wheat growers. Topping the list would be herbicide resistant weed problems that are currently being found in many wheat fields right here in Canadian County,” Tipton said.
He said Dr. Joe Armstrong, OSU weed science Extension specialist, will be one of the speakers at the seminar.
“He has sampled and found ryegrass resistance to ALS-inhibiting herbicides in 20 fields throughout the county. This is shocking and very sobering news for wheat production profitability when one considers the tremendous amount of dockage wheat growers took at the grain elevators during last summer's wheat harvest infested with winter grassy weed seed,” Tipton said.
“Dr. Armstrong will discuss the results of this Canadian County study and offer potential suggestions to head off a looming herbicide resistant ryegrass disaster. He will talk about an inhibiting herbicide called Axial XL, which has a different chemical mode of action on winter grassy weed problems and why growers need to take action now,” Tipton said.
Also scheduled to speak is Dr. Jeff Edwards, OSU Extension small grains specialist.
“He will highlight wheat production methodology,” Tipton said.
Tipton said Edwards first came to Canadian County in 2004 to look at wheat production at Jensen Farms.
Edwards spent four years with Miles Enterprises Opti-Crop Division as a crop manager prior to becoming state wheat specialist.
“What Jeff saw going on at Jensen Farms impressed him greatly and is one reason we have an OSU Extension Replicated Wheat Variety Trial located in Canadian County.
“Another key speaker will be Dr. Brian Arnall, OSU Extension soil fertility specialist, who has our results from last year's large plot GreenSeeker technology trials conducted at 15 locations throughout Oklahoma,” Tipton said.
“Three of these locations were on the lands of Canadian County producers, Bornemann Farms, Ken Mach and Rick Zum Mallen. These were eight- to 10-acre 'production agriculture' plots that were accomplished on local farms using local wheat growers' equipment and farming operations,” Tipton said.
Also speaking will be Mike Moss, Canadian County FSA, who will update farmers on USDA programs, and Duane Crider, Canadian County NRCS, who will discuss conservation program opportunities, Tipton said.