Farms.com Home  › News

I’ve noticed a lot of wild oat escapes in some of my fields this year; what can I do to prevent it from getting worse next year?

Despite our best efforts, sometimes even the best laid weed control plans go wrong!

The first thing to remember is that not all weed escapes are created equal. In some cases, weeds can survive because of application timing issues, challenging weather conditions or late flushes that emerge after spraying. However, when weeds aren’t controlled by herbicide applications, herbicide resistance should also be on your radar.

A recent survey in Manitoba found that in fields with uncontrolled wild oats, 100 per cent of populations were resistant to Group 1 products, 82 per cent were resistant to Group 2 products, and 82 per cent were resistant to both Group 1 and 2 herbicides. Those numbers show how important it is to take a closer look at wild oat weed escapes.

Identifying why your herbicide failed to control wild oats is the first step toward finding a solution. Start by scouting the field to narrow down the cause. Consider factors such as application timing, weather conditions, late flushes after spraying and the size of the weeds when you sprayed. Look out for distribution patterns in the field that might suggest application issues, such as plugged nozzles, missed areas or poor coverage. If you’re able to rule out these causes, its time to consider herbicide resistance.

Click here to see more...

Trending Video

FCG Parvi Webinar 2: Getting to Know Thrips parvispinus to Better Control This Pest

Video: FCG Parvi Webinar 2: Getting to Know Thrips parvispinus to Better Control This Pest

This is the 2nd webinar in a 3-part series hosted by Flowers Canada Growers on Thrips parvispinus IPM. Biocontrol programs developed for western flower thrips do not appear to be effective against Thrips parvispinus. This webinar will examine what makes T. parvispinus different and how insights into its biology and behaviour—including chemical ecology, host plant preferences, and defensive responses—can help improve monitoring and management strategies. This webinar was recorded July 16, 2026. Guest speakers include: Jessie deHaan (Vineland Research), Dan Bath (Vineland Research), Laxmi Khadka (Vineland Research), Ashley Summerfield (Vineland Research), Sarah Jandricic (OMAFA), Avery Johnson (AAFC / University of Guelph).