Do you know how to identify weeds in their early stages before they become even more problematic?
Today’s event in Carman can help with this important knowledge.
Back at long last
Kim Brown, a weed specialist with Manitoba Agriculture, says the Weed Seedling Identification event is back in Carman after a hiatus.
“This day ran for decades, actually, before COVID, and we've resurrected it again as an in-person, weed seedling ID day where we have numerous weeds that are mostly in the small stage," she says. "We're trying to identify them as they appear in crop.”
Brown adds that the purpose is to identify the weeds so that appropriate control methods can be chosen for them.
How will it work?
Brown says that the informational event includes “a bit of a seminar” on the characteristics of weed families in Manitoba.
“We have a number of weeds gathered up from across the province in pots, and we dig them up and bring them in,” she says.
A component of the day will also allow participants to apply their knowledge to practice identifying weeds.
Who is the event for?
Brown says everyone is welcome to the weed identification session. Agronomists, anyone working in the agriculture retail industry, farmers, and students may be particularly interested in the event.
‘It good to refresh our memories’
Brown says one reason to attend the weed identification day is that it’s “always good to be learning.”
“We haven't been identifying weeds since probably about this time last year. We do identify weed through the summer as well, but some of us ... are a little bit rusty and it's good to refresh our memories,” she says.
Brown adds that the knowledge also benefits younger people in the industry who are just starting out.
“It's always a good learning opportunity, and it's really important to know [what exactly the weeds are] when you're spraying for weeds in crops so that you pick the appropriate control methods .... We have a lot of different herbicide products to choose from in the industry,” she says.
“It’s important to make sure that you're using the best product for the weeds that you're trying to control in the crop that you have planted.”
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Brown says that while identifying weeds when they are larger is more straightforward, once they have grown, they are more difficult to remove and have already absorbed nutrients meant for the crops.
Because of this, it's essential to learn how to spot weeds early, and the Weed Seedling Identification Day is the perfect opportunity to do it.
The details
Brown is thankful for the Manitoba Crop Diagnostic School and the Manitoba Weed Supervisors Association for sponsoring the event.
“It's a free day. There's no pre-registration necessary,” she says. “Just show up at the research farm and we’ll start right at one.”
The Weed Seedling Identification event takes place today in Carman from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Ian N. Morrison Research Farm.
There will also be another event in Brandon tomorrow (May 22nd) at Assiniboine College from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
With files from Connie Bailey