In line with its commitment to product stewardship, Monsanto has announced a new educational weed resistance management Web site for its farmer customers. This Web site provides comprehensive and timely information on weed control strategies with the potential to minimize the risk of weed resistance occurring. The Web site, www.weedresistancemanagement.com, offers a new fact-based resource for the agriculture industry and provides tips for managing weed resistance from a variety of experts in the agricultural community, including weed scientists, crop advisors, growers, retailers and industry leaders.

“We are proud to support our farmer customers and provide them with this informative Web-based resource where they can obtain timely and practical farm management options when utilizing glyphosate technology,” says Doug Rushing, director of technology development for Monsanto.

“We understand that farmers are constantly bombarded with recommendations to use a wide variety of products and utilize a variety of management practices,” says Rushing. “We believe this Web site will provide them with a place they can turn to when they want to cut through the clutter and seek out guidance from their academic experts in the agriculture industry.”

The Web site defines weed resistance and how it can occur, gives the facts on where resistance has happened and provides growers with the best practices to manage weeds on their farm, according to Rushing. Some features of the site include management recommendations for specific tough-to-control weeds, localized information for growers by region, recent news and updates, and information on how to determine whether a resistant weed is present in the field. In particular, the site offers tips for weed control in all of the Roundup Ready systems.

“With Roundup Ready technology established as the foundation for weed control in soybeans, cotton, canola and now corn, we want to ensure growers are confident they can enjoy the benefits of the technology year after year and minimize the risk of developing weed resistance,” says Rushing.

In 2005, the Roundup Ready trait was planted on 101.5 million acres in the U.S. Last year alone, Roundup Ready Corn 2 saw a 40 percent increase in acreage from 17 to 24 million acres planted.

“The site is useful for any grower who wants to learn more about best practices in a Roundup Ready cropping system,” says Rushing. “There are several agronomic benefits to achieving outstanding season-long weed control, including the potential for higher yield and ease of harvest.”

The best way to achieve that control is by starting with a clean, weed-free field and keeping it clean throughout the season. That's the essence of Start Clean, Stay Clean. and the advice offered on the www.weedresistancemanagement.com Web site. Developed with input and guidance from weed scientists, the site offers these fundamental tips:

These tips are available on www.weedresistancemanagement.com, along with specific tips for Roundup Ready corn, soybeans, cotton, canola and alfalfa. Growers will also see the Start Clean, Stay Clean recommendations in their 2006 Technical Use Guide.

The Web site is one component of Monsanto's overall glyphosate stewardship plan. Monsanto continually evaluates its recommendations for effective weed control and provides alternate weed control recommendations to control tough or resistant weeds. Monsanto sponsors extensive research, often through partnerships with university cooperators, on weed resistance as well as best management practices for different cropping systems.

To date, eight weeds have been confirmed resistant to glyphosate, according to the International Survey of Herbicide Resistant Weeds. When glyphosate-resistant weed biotypes have been identified, they have been effectively managed with other herbicides and/or cultural practices.