Resistant Wild Oat Action Committee (RWOAC)

Project Description

Field surveys on the Canadian Prairies have reported that 69% of fields sampled for wild oats contain wild oats with some level of herbicide resistance (HR). In response to a public request, the Canadian Weed Science Society recently formed a Resistant Wild Oat Action Committee. The committee consists of 12 members representing a cross-section of the agricultural industry, including producers, research scientists, government, agrichemical industry, and retail agronomists. The short term objectives of this project are:

• Compile global knowledge on wild oat biology and management.
• Engage producers, agronomists and scientists in a community based pilot project focused on HR wild oats in central Alberta
• Disseminate HR wild oat information to producers and agronomists.
• Increase the number of wild oat samples submitted for HR testing
• Identify research gaps in order to develop new research initiatives

The project involves a multi-faceted approach to addressing the resistance issue. Funding for a part-time manager is requested to coordinate a number of activities including: developing inventory of past and current research on wild oat biology and management; a voluntary producer testing program to increase awareness; an extension and awareness program (direct mail, webpage, social media); a series of regional producer meetings that includes listening sessions to encourage the formation of a community based pilot project. Outcomes include increased awareness of resistance issue, producer-led community based solutions to manage herbicide resistance in wild oat, and readily available extension materials. The long-term objective is to have a viable, ongoing Resistant Wild Oat Action Committee.

Research Results

As a result of this project the Resistant Wild Oat Action Committee developed 3 one-page infographics, 3 three-page fact sheets and 2 videos related to herbicide resistant wild oat, its biology and its management. There are now resources available at www.weedscience.ca/wild-oat-action-committee that help interpret herbicide resistance test results, and stress the importance of accurate field records.

Through this project we have been able to provide valuable information to the western Canadian farmers who deal with herbicide resistance on their farm. It is our hope that industry will continue to extend this information and provide support and resources for this continually increasing problem. All the extension materials will eventually be available on the Canadian Weed Science Society website after publication and circulation of their release. Wild oat resistance continues to be a problem. More extension and new management strategies are needed.