by Sam Oschwald Tilton
Managing weeds can be a top challenge for organic farmers. Given herbicide-resistant weeds, it’s also becoming more of a challenge for conventional farmers.
There are ways to complement herbicides when it comes to weed control. Farmers interested in mechanical ways to manage weeds can check out this year’s Midwest Mechanical Weed Control Field Day on Aug. 20 at Iowa State University’s Horticulture Research Station. This field day is the place to see weeding tools of all scales demonstrated in the field, where farmers can learn from company representatives and other farmers from around the region.
Why mechanical weed control?
Unlike herbicides, weeds don’t resist steel. As technology, artificial intelligence and autonomy quickly improve the capabilities of weeding implements, farmers have additional tools and techniques to manage weeds. Highly accurate camera-guided toolbars now exist that increase weeding speed and accuracy. Autonomous weeding robots now run through a field on their own. Finger weeders can now remove weeds from within the plant row. Farmers also can use their existing RTK technology with an old fence-row cultivator to get started.
The program starts with registration and the trade show’s opening from 8 to 9 a.m. Farmers can see weeding tools and speak with company reps from manufacturers in the U.S., Europe and Japan, and also meet farmers from the region. Ag supply companies, such as those that sell seed and fertilizer, also will be at the trade show.
Educational sessions that concurrently run with the trade show include:
- stale seedbedding
- how to adjust and use high-residue cultivators (such as Buffalo, Orthman and Hiniker)
- camera-guided hitches
The field day will break at noon for lunch. This is an opportunity for farmers to meet and network or continue looking at trade show equipment and speak with exhibitors.
The afternoon will consist of demonstrations during which 4-inch-high corn will be planted for the event. Many three-point, camera-guided, autonomous (robots) and belly-mounted cultivators and cultivating tractors will be demonstrated in the field and explained by manufacturers. Row-crop manufacturers attending include Buffalo/Henke, Treffler, Garford, Bay Shore Sales (Hatzenbichler), T. H. Fabrication and Unverferth.
These demonstrations will show how the machines should be mounted and properly adjusted according to crop and soil conditions. The demonstrations will help farmers visualize how the implements can work on their own farms.
There also will be demonstrations of vegetable cultivators.
Registration
Program registration for a full day of learning, lunch and networking on mechanical weed control is $85. It is recommended that everyone register early, as space runs out each year. Walk-in registration will be available, but lunch and conference amenities are not guaranteed.
Iowa State University’s Horticulture Research Station is located at 55519 170th St., Ames, Iowa.
For more information about the event regarding attendance or exhibiting, or to register by phone, contact Crystal at crystal@thelandconnection.org or 217-840-2128.
Oschwald Tilton is founder and lead organizer of the Midwest Mechanical Weed Control Field Day.