By Amanda Brodhagen, Farms.com
Bayer CropScience’s message to growers about herbicide resistance is – “mix it up.”
The agricultural chemical company went so far as creating a website aimed at spurring discussion on the issue. On the site’s main page it says “Let’s act now before herbicide resistance becomes a bigger problem,” which illustrates the urgency of taking steps now to mitigate herbicide resistance.
The website is easy to navigate and features a number of video resources. It identifies the problem, and offers region specific information for growers in Canada, from west to east. In addition to laying out the different aspects of the problem, the website also offers strategies for managing herbicide resistance.
Christopher Turcot, portfolio manager – row crops, for Bayer provided the following statement to Farms.com, sharing the reasons behind the website:
“Bayer CropScience is concerned with the increase in herbicide resistant weeds and its potential impact on Canadian agriculture. We feel a responsibility to help educate and create awareness for the problem, while bringing forward solutions that slow down the spread of resistance. Having witnessed the devastating effect the problem has had on certain areas of the U.S., we are determined to be more proactive in Canada.
The objective of MixItUp.ca is to provide a real and meaningful resource that adds value in the fight against herbicide resistance. Bayer will also continue to hold roundtables and meetings with farmers, retailers, agronomists and extension professionals to find solutions that improve current practices.
We have great herbicide technology available throughout the industry and it’s imperative that these tools are available to help food production for the distant future,” he said.
More information about Bayer’s herbicide resistance campaign website can be found at: http://www.mixitup.ca/.