Presentations
T9
Pest Management
Tue, Dec 14, 2021
9:00am to 9:50am
T2
Pest Management
Tue, Dec 14, 2021
2:00pm to 2:50pm
Crop Wars: The Pigweed Strikes Back
Palmer amaranth and waterhemp, otherwise known as pigweeds, are a major challenge in field crop agriculture across the country. Their prolific growth characteristics (high seed production, adaptability, large and fast growth potential) paired with their ability to evolve resistance to multiple herbicide classes has resulted in this weed species severely impacting crop yields and harvestability. In Arkansas, Palmer amaranth is the number one problematic weed across field crops and has now evolved resistance to some very critical herbicides such as Group 15 chloroacetamide herbicides (Dual Magnum and Warrant) and glufosinate (Liberty). There have also been observations of failures from synthetic auxin herbicides (2,4-D and dicamba). Just like the Empire after the destruction of the Death Star, pigweed seems to rapidly counter our efforts at controlling it. In this presentation, we will discuss what makes pigweed so challenging to manage, herbicide resistance identified in Arkansas that can serve as a warning for Indiana growers and consultants, and recommendations moving forward to help combat this Sith of a weed, Darth Pigweed.
Speaker
Thomas Butts
Dr. Tommy Butts is an Assistant Professor, Extension Weed Scientist with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture based out of Lonoke, Arkansas. He started with the Division of Agriculture in 2018. Tommy originally hails from southern Wisconsin where he grew up working on and around small dairy farms. He completed his Bachelor of Science in Agri-Business at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, Master of Science in Agronomy-Weed Science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Ph.D. in Agronomy-Weed Science from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Tommy’s current research and Extension efforts focus on identifying novel weed management strategies through diversified approaches including the use of precision agriculture and application technologies primarily in rice, soybean, and wheat, among other cropping systems. Further emphasis is placed on helping to increase herbicide application knowledge, safety, and effectiveness, while reducing off-target movement, both from ground-based and aerial applications. The overall goal is to provide research-supported, effective, and applicable weed management practices to Arkansas and Mid-South farmers, consultants, and applicators battling complex weed problems in their fields. Tommy resides in Beebe, AR with his wife, Liberty, their almost 2-year old little boy, Brooker, another little one on the way, and numerous pets on their funny farm.