By Joshua Miranda
Weed management remains one of the most costly and persistent challenges for specialty crop growers across Michigan. From vegetables and fruit trees to berries and grapes, growers and crop advisors deal with diverse weed species emerging throughout growing seasons, rising cases of herbicide-resistant weeds, and a limited number of labeled and effective herbicide options. These challenges are compounded by high labor costs for hand weeding, as well as regulatory pressures that restrict the use of certain herbicides.