Glyphosate-resistant weeds are becoming a growing concern in the ag community as more and more weeds are discovered to be Roundup resistant.

Even Butler County has its fair share of Roundup-resistant marestail. Fortunately, they are limited to a few fields but equipment travel and wind can easily spread weed seeds and spread the problem.

Nationwide this a growing concern and crop scouts and agronomists are focusing more and more research on combating and educating farmers on how to scout and treat potential problems.

Marestail is a real problem in corn and bean rotations because the weed matures later in the summer and competes throughout the growing season with the commodity crops impacting yield.

One plant can produce 200,000 seeds, many of which can germinate immediately from falling to the ground.

Furthermore, it survives the winter via rosette form then has rapid spring growth the following year. That’s why late fall scouting is very important to control outbreaks by looking for small rosettes which are easier to control. But if we take an integrated pest management approach to controlling weeds, we can keep herbicide-resistant weeds at bay and improve the soil.

Part of an IPM approach is cultural practices that don’t allow an environment for weeds to germinate and grow and the best cultural practice to do that is cover crops.

Having a cover crop seeded as the corn or bean crop is harvested on planting immediately after combining will provide quick cover in the fall and reduce winter annual and marestail germination.

If you have some germination the rapid spring growth of cover crops hinders marestail production during the same time allowing for better control when it comes time to plant.

Keeping the soil covered is the best and cheapest way to combat any weed in a crop field. This not only reduces weed germination, it cycles crop nutrients and improves air and water infiltration which provides a better overall crop health allowing for better production.

Taking an integrated pest management approach with a focus on cover crops toward combating herbicide-resistant weeds not only reduces resistance likelihood, it improves overall farm profitability.

Andy Gaver is a conservationist with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Butler County.