After glyphosate was introduced in the mid 1970’s, it was used primarily as a burndown herbicide in corn and soybeans.  Since the introduction of Roundup Ready crops in 1996, glyphosate has been used widely for burndown and in-crop weed control with the increase in use and many dropping pre-emerge herbicides from their weed control program weeds have become resistant.  Two weeds, palmer amaranth and waterhemp, were identified as resistant in 2005.   These pigweeds are very aggressive in their growth.

To help determine the best herbicide programs to use on waterhemp and growth characteristics, the Taylor County Cooperative Extension Service in cooperation with the University of Kentucky Extension weed science department conducted a state waterhemp control research trial.  The research trial evaluated different pre-emerge and post emerge herbicides on their control of waterhemp.

Results were highlighted at a field day with approximately 60 present.  Participants viewed the research plots before each herbicide combination were discussed.  The rules and regulations were also discussed to help protect applicator, crop and environment.  One participant said, ‘this was the most extensive field day he had ever participated in.”  Results of this trial was published as part of AGR-6.