03/10/08 Organic workshop; herbicide resistance

Its one of the fastest growing ag sectors in Idaho. That's why the University of Idaho Extension and the Idaho State Department of Agriculture are teaming up to host the first annual Southwest Idaho Organic Producers School. It will be held March 18th in Caldwell. The conference aims to provide continuing education to current organic farmers and to help new and interested producers learn how to begin the certification process. The annual gross sales of Idaho certified organic food tops eleven million dollars and more than 95 thousand acres of Idaho cropland are certified to produce organic food. New strategies are needed to combat many of the most damaging weeds in farmers' fields that all show a common trait: resistance to one or more herbicides. Careful selection of herbicides can keep weeds in control and lessen the weed threat according to University of Idaho weed scientist Don Thill who recently revised a popular guide for growers. You can get the book by calling the University of Idaho or going to their website. Resistance to at least one herbicide exists in populations of all eight major weeds that cut yields in dryland and irrigated crops across Idaho and the Northwest. Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott