By: Kriss Nelson, Iowa Soybean Association
ANKENY, Iowa — Herbicide resistance is pushing researchers to look for alternatives. Could integrating wheat with soybeans help farmers tackle weeds while expanding relay cropping opportunities?
To explore this potential, a multi-regional survey is underway to gauge how pairing soybeans with wheat might help farmers tackle weed pressure by expanding relay-cropping opportunities. The effort is backed by the North Central Soybean Research Program, Mid-South Soybean Board, Southern Soybean Research Program and Atlantic Soybean Council, with Jason Norsworthy, University of Arkansas Distinguished Professor and Elms Farming Chair of Weed Science, leading the research team.
Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) Analytics and Insights Lead Matthew Carroll says southern states have dealt with weed resistance longer than Iowa. That challenge spurred the project, which is exploring relay cropping’s impact on weeds as herbicide efficacy declines and resistance issues grow here.
“We want to understand farmers’ familiarity with double cropping or relay cropping with a goal to know where to target practices and focus our research,” says Carroll. “The survey helps ensure our research impacts farmers in practical ways. We want to target resources where they matter most and avoid doing research that won’t be useful on the farm.”
Collaborating with experts in several states is valuable, Carroll notes.
“Weed control, especially with waterhemp, is one of farmers’ biggest concerns. By collaborating, we can learn from others’ experiences and adapt those lessons here,” says Carroll.
Collaboration also helps maximize the use of limited research resources, enabling lessons learned in one region to benefit farmers in another with similar growing conditions.
“We want to utilize Checkoff dollars efficiently,” says Carroll. “Partnering allows us to stretch resources across regions with similar conditions. Research doesn’t stop at state lines, and farmers benefit from shared knowledge.”
Carroll encourages farmers and agronomists to follow this link to fill out the survey. Completing the survey takes less than 15 minutes.
For more information on the survey and the potential for trials and results of relay cropping with wheat, contact Carroll at mcarroll@iasoybeans.com.