Understanding Herbicide Resistance Tests
Resistant Wild Oat Action Committee provides crucial guidance for farmers facing herbicide resistance.
Herbicide resistance continues to challenge Saskatchewan farmers — especially when it comes to wild oats. A recent survey led by Dr. Charles Geddes of Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada found herbicide-resistant weeds in three out of every four fields, with wild oat identified as the most problematic grass species.
To help farmers tackle this issue, the Resistant Wild Oat Action Committee (RWOAC) was formed. Their goal: to share practical, research-based information that supports better management decisions on the farm.
New Tools to Make Sense of Resistance Tests
If you’ve taken the time to send wild oat seeds for a herbicide resistance test, you know the next step can be confusing — how do you interpret those results, and what do they mean for your herbicide program?
To answer that, RWOAC has released two new infographics that break down how to read and apply your test results:
- Understanding the Sample – This infographic explains what your test sample represents for your field and your farm. It also highlights other possible reasons weeds might have survived a spray, even if resistance isn’t confirmed.
- Interpreting the Numbers – This one digs into the results themselves, helping you understand when to stop using certain active ingredients, when to be cautious, and how to plan your next herbicide rotation or layering strategy.
Practical, Visual, and Farmer-Focused
These infographics are designed to be quick, visual references that help make sense of your test results and guide your next management steps. You can download both here by clicking on the image, or directly from the RWOAC website, where you’ll also find videos and other helpful materials. The committee also shares updates and tips on BlueSky.
➡ Check out the full library of RWOAC infographics and explore other weed management resources at rwoac.ca.
(Original source: Resistant Wild Oat Action Committee. Disclaimer: SaskBarley is a funder of RWOAC.)
