SPG Funds New Prairie Weed Research Program

Five-year multi university program targets kochia and wild oat resistance issues

Saskatchewan Pulse Growers has announced major funding for a new research program to address herbicide resistant weeds that threaten crop production across the Prairies. The program is supported through Saskatchewan’s Strategic Research Initiative under the Sustainable Canadian Agriculture Partnership. 

SPG invested 175,000 dollars, which helped unlock more than 3.2 million dollars in total research funding. The program will run for five years and includes 29 researchers and partners from universities, government agencies, and environmental organizations across Canada. 

The research is led by a senior scientist from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. It brings together experts from several universities, Ducks Unlimited, the National Research Council of Canada, and other research groups. The goal is to develop long-term and practical weed control solutions for farmers. 

"Herbicide-resistant weeds pose a critical threat to the sustainability and profitability of pulse production in Saskatchewan, and kochia management consistently ranks as a top concern we hear from growers," said SPG Board Chair Winston van Staveren.  

"Pulses, particularly lentils, are poor competitors against kochia, making effective weed control essential for successful production. This multi-institutional research program represents a significant step forward in developing practical solutions that will help pulse growers effectively manage these challenging weeds while preserving the herbicide tools we depend on," said Staveren. 

Two weeds are the main focus of the program. Kochia and wild oat are among the most difficult weeds for Prairie farmers. They are becoming resistant to many commonly used herbicides. These weeds compete strongly with pulse crops such as lentils and can lower yields and farm profits. 

The research will study how crop rotation and plant diversity can help reduce weed pressure. It will test how well certain herbicides still work on both sensitive and resistant weeds. Scientists will also examine weed plant surfaces to learn why some sprays do not work well. 

A key part of the project will explore new weed control technologies. This includes early research into RNA based solutions that may provide new tools in the future. The team will also develop fast testing methods to detect herbicide resistant weeds in fields. Other Prairie crop groups are also helping fund the work. These partners support barley, wheat, oilseed, and grain farmers who face similar weed problems. 

"The scale and scope of this program reflects the urgency of addressing herbicide resistance," said Sherrilyn Phelps, SPG Research & Development Director. "With 29 collaborators bringing diverse expertise to this challenge, they are taking a comprehensive approach that goes beyond traditional weed management to explore innovative solutions, including molecular technologies and resistance detection tools that will benefit growers for years to come." 

This program aims to protect important herbicide tools, improve weed control methods, and support long-term farm sustainability. By combining field trials, laboratory research, and new technology development, the project will help Prairie growers manage resistant weeds more effectively and keep pulse crop production strong in the years ahead. 

Photo Credit: kochia-1