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Title: WEED CONTROL FOR COLORADO FARMERS AND WHEAT PRODUCERS

Author
item WESTRA, PHILLIP - COLORADO STATE UNIV
item Shaner, Dale
item NISSEN, SCOTT - COLORADO STATE UNIV
item HALEY, SCOTT - COLORADO STATE UNIV
item JOHNSON, JERRY - COLORADO STATE UNIV
item HELM, ALAN - COLORADO STATE UNIV
item Henry, William

Submitted to: Popular Publication
Publication Type: Popular Publication
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/16/2004
Publication Date: 12/1/2004
Citation: Westra, P., Shaner, D.L., Nissen, S., Haley, S., Johnson, J., Helm, A., Henry, W.B. 2004. Weed control for colorado farmers and wheat producers. Popular Publication. p. 58-67.

Interpretive Summary: The purpose for this handbook is to help crop producers with weed management. Weeds represent the most complex and expensive pest management challenge that must be addressed on an annual basis. In this manuscript, we summarized the various weed control issues for dry-land and irrigated producers in the Central Great Plains Region. Our objectives were to examine various concerns of a producer like the ecology of weeds, new technologies available for weed control and most importantly, economics. The body of this manuscript includes issues such as weeds frequently reducing crop yields by 20 to 50% by their competition for water, nutrients, and sunlight. Weed control is complicated because there are many weeds with different life cycles and various strategies for competing successfully with desirable crops in selected niches. Herbicide resistance also plays a significant role in producer's decisions regarding weed control options. The Clearfield* system enables producers to more effectively manage troublesome grass weeds like jointed goatgrass and feral rye. Finally, in summary, each producer must evaluate the economics and efficacy of the various weed control options in order to make the best choice for his farming operation in the Central Great Plains.

Technical Abstract: Crop producers will use this handbook to address complex and expensive weed management challenges that must be on an annual basis. The purpose of this handbook was to summarize the various complexities of weed control issues for dry-land and irrigated agricultural practices in the Central Great Plains Region. Our objectives were to examine multiple concerns of a producer like the physiology, ecology, and biology of weeds, new technologies available for weed control and most importantly, economics. The body of this manuscript includes competition issues such as weeds frequently reducing crop yields by 20 to 50%. by their competition for water, nutrients, and sunlight. Weed control is complicated because there are many weeds with different life cycles and various strategies for competing successfully with desirable crops in selected niches. Herbicide resistance also plays a significant role in producer's decisions regarding weed control options. The Clearfield* system enables producers to more effectively manage troublesome grass weeds like jointed goatgrass and feral rye. Finally, in summary, each producer must evaluate the economics and efficacy of the various weed control options in order to make the best choice for his farming operation in the Central Great Plains.