Monsanto Canada launches new online weed resistance tool

As part of its ongoing commitment to product stewardship, Monsanto Canada is launching a new online weed resistance risk assessment tool for growers in Western Canada.

Located on the Web at www.weedtool.com, the goal of this new, web-based resource is to help farmers gauge their risk of developing glyphosate-resistant weeds within their farming operation and provide them with strategies to better manage those risks without limiting yield potential.

"Roundup(R) brand herbicides are an important part of a farmers weed control program and we want to ensure they remain a sustainable solution for farmers well into the future," said Sean Dilk, technology development lead within Monsanto Canadas crop protection division. "Our commitment is to give farmers as much information as possible to help them reduce the risk of glyphosate resistance developing on their farm."

The risk of developing glyphosate-resistant weeds involves numerous factors within a farming operation. The online resource accounts for these factors by having growers answer ten questions. When those questions are complete, the tool calculates the risk of developing glyphosate resistance on an individual field-by-field basis and then highlights Best Management Practices (BMPs) for reducing the farmers risk of selecting for glyphosate-resistant weeds. In addition to the situation specific recommendations of the assessment, users have access to additional weed resistance management resources within the site.

Monsanto Canada collaborated with several weed science academics in Western Canada and relied on their expertise to assist in the creation of this tool. Academics from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, University of Alberta, University of Saskatchewan and University of Manitoba all participated in the development of www.weedtool.com.

"Even though we have not yet seen a case of a glyphosate-resistant weed in Western Canada, weed resistance is a real threat to the western Canadian cropping system," acknowledged Dr. Hugh Beckie, research scientist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. "Glyphosate is such an important resource that it needs to be kept sustainable. Having had the opportunity to work on the development of this new assessment tool, I am confident in its ability to help farmers assess their risk and allow them to make any necessary changes in their farming operations."

www.weedtool.com was first lunched in the United States in 2007. A similar resource is planned for Eastern Canadian growers this fall. Farmers can assess their risk of developing glyphosate- resistant weeds by visiting www.weedtool.com.