By SHELLY STRAUTZ-SPRINGBORN
Michigan Correspondent

EAST LANSING, Mich. — Farmers can learn the latest weed control strategies during Michigan State University’s (MSU) Weed Tour on July 2.

The event, hosted by the MSU Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, includes tours of weed management plots.

Participants will see firsthand how various weed control methods work and which ones are best for high-density areas, according to Christy Sprague, MSU associate professor in Crop and Soil Sciences.
“Really anybody who is making weed control decisions should attend,” Sprague said. “It’s a good opportunity for them to compare some of the different herbicide programs out there in corn, soybeans, dry beans and sugar beets.”

The tour features information on weed management and other crop protection and crop management strategies. Participants also can compare their favorite corn and soybean herbicide programs with other commercial programs and evaluate how new transgenic crops interact with weed management strategies.

The event kicks off with registration from 9-9:30 a.m. From 9:30-11:30 a.m., a tour of weed control plots for field crops is planned at the MSU Botany Field Lab, located on College Road north of Jolly Road.

Following lunch, weed control in horticultural crops will be the focus of a tour from 1-3 p.m. at the MSU Horticulture Farm, located on College Road south of Jolly Road. In addition, Sprague said another afternoon session has been added, which will focus on weed control in non-GMO soybeans.

“We’ll be doing a walk-through of some plots and covering options for weed control,” Sprague said.

Pesticide recertification credits and certified crop adviser credits are pending.

A $25 registration fee is due by June 25 and includes a weed tour book and lunch. After June 25, the registration fee is $35.
Visit www.msuweeds.com or contact Deb Misiak at 517-355-0271, ext. 1224 or by e-mail at misiak@msu.edu to
register or for more information.