8-16 FB Worsening Weeds

 Rabo AgriFinance is releasing a report from the Rabobank International Food & Agribusiness Research and Advisory (FAR) group. The report, “Nature Finds A Way,” notes a rising prevalence of weeds resistant to one or more herbicides, including glyphosate, is increasing the cost of row crop production in the U.S. The report, which is part of an on-going series exploring practical sustainability, goes on to detail which crops are seeing a rise of resistant weeds, and options to control these weeds. The “Nature Finds a Way” report states that weeds with resistance to herbicides, including glyphosate, are becoming particularly prevalent. Over 90 percent of the U.S. soybean acreage is planted to glyphosate-resistant varieties, so weeds showing resistance to this herbicide present a large challenge for U.S. soybean farmers. Obviously soybeans aren’t an issue in the Northwest, but weed resistance is a trend that is increasing across every crop that we plant. Douglas R. Jones Executive Director, Growers for Biotechnology has some thoughts on this issue: “Mother Nature has adapted plants and animals throughout history to changing conditions. When she continues to do that then we just have to continue to be smarter.”