Glyphosate resistance spreads in southwestern Ontario Thursday, April 19, 2012 by DAVE PINK The widening range of two glyphosate-resistant weed species in southwestern Ontario should be a signal to the province’s farmers to adopt a more diverse herbicide application strategy, says one of the two University of Guelph weed scientists who conducted recent field surveys. Glyphosate is a widely-used, broad spectrum herbicide used to control broadleaf weeds and grasses. It is the active ingredient in Monsanto’s Roundup herbicides. Initial surveys of weed resistance were conducted in 2008 by Peter Sikkema and Francois Tardif of the university’s department of plant agriculture and graduate student Joe Vink. They were followed up in 2010 and again this year. The results are unmistakeable. “In 2008 we had one field in Essex County that was resistant to giant ragweed. Now we have 48 in Essex, Kent and Lambton,” said Sikkema. “In 2008, we found no fields with resistance to Canada fleabane. Now we have 10 in Essex, Kent and Lambton. “We now have more species that are resistant over a wider area.” Asked if the number of glyphosate resistant varieties would grow and continue to spread, Sikkema responded: “If I were a betting man, I’d say probably. But I can’t say that with any form of certainty.” He cautioned farmers to reassess their weed-control strategies, on a field-by-field basis. “The single-most important word is diversity — diverse crops and diverse weed-control tactics.” Rotate crops, plant aggressive strains of seeds, and don’t be reliant on any single variety of herbicide, he advised. “What it comes down to is just good agronomic practices,” said Sikkema. “Do everything you can to make that crop more competitive and you’ll help yourself out in the long run. “And it’s imperative that you use other forms of weed management. Every field is different, and every weed management strategy has to be adjusted for each field.” He concedes, however, these new tactics are “going to affect farm profitability.” The study was partially funded by Monsanto Canada, the Grain Farmers of Ontario, and the Canadian Agricultural Adaptation Program. BF New organization elects board Ministers meeting to focus on national ag policy
Ontario Promotes Local Food to Boost Economy and Jobs Thursday, June 5, 2025 Ontario is celebrating Local Food Week from June 2–8, 2025, honoring the people behind the province’s strong and self-sufficient food supply. From farmers and food processors to retailers and restauranteurs, these individuals contribute to the economy and food security. The agriculture... Read this article online
Scientists at Guelph Target Avian Threat Thursday, June 5, 2025 The University of Guelph (U of G) is activeey engaged against the spread of avian flu. Experts from a variety of departments, including virology, engineering, veterinary medicine, and computer science, are working together to stop this growing threat. “This is not just a crisis for the... Read this article online
Trouw Nutrition launches IntelEgg Thursday, June 5, 2025 Trouw Nutrition has announced the launch of , a digital platform designed to empower layer producers with real-time insights and data-driven decision-making tools. The image above shows an demo screen. This browser-based application is set to transform how poultry farmers monitor,... Read this article online
New Report Highlights Farm Housing Needs in Greenbelt Areas Wednesday, June 4, 2025 The Greenbelt Foundation has released a new report titled Housing Needs and . It highlights the urgent need for housing solutions in rural Ontario for farm families, farm workers, and agri-business employees. As the farming community knows, agriculture is a vital part of Ontario’s... Read this article online
New Precision Ag Digital Digest Coming Soon Wednesday, June 4, 2025 The Summer 2025 Farms.com Precision Ag Digital Digest will be released on June 11. Summer is upon us! Tillage and seeding are mostly completed (…hopefully), so we are shifting focus to irrigation, baling, spraying, guidance, and harvest (among other topics and technologies). In... Read this article online