Raven Industries joins AGCO and BASF in Operation Weed Eradication

Comparing the subtle differences between comparing red root pigweed, green pigweed, palmer amaranth and water hemp. Note the lack of hair on waterhemp and palmer amaranth. Photo by Christy Shiropshire.

Raven Industries has joined AGCO and BASF as the newest Operation Weed Eradication coalition member, to support farmers in their weed control efforts.

Operation Weed Eradication is an industry-wide mission with the goal of enlisting tough-minded farmers and industry leaders whose approach is that the last weed standing is the strongest, most capable and the most genetically resistant weed on the farm.

Raven Applied Technology develops precision agriculture products that promote environmental stewardship, allowing farmers to grow more with less.

Dominic Walkes, director of strategic initiatives at Raven Industries, says Raven is committed to raising the bar to improve farm productivity.

“For more than 40 years, Raven has been leading the way in sprayer efficacy, and our participation in the Operation Weed Eradication coalition reflects our ongoing commitment to helping growers improve yields and solve challenges for their ag operations,” Walkes explains.

Nick Fassler, technical marketing group manager at BASF, says Operation Weed Eradication takes a balanced approach of utilizing cultural practices such as tillage and cover crops, chemical controls such as layering residuals and using herbicides with multiple sites of action, and eradication diligence practices such as managing weeds around field edges, to help growers eradicate Palmer amaranth and waterhemp from their fields.

“As we continue to build upon the efforts to drive an eradication mindset toward on-farm pigweed, the Operation Weed Eradication coalition welcomes the opportunity to add Raven as a coalition member, which will only make this industrywide initiative stronger,” says Fassler. “Palmer amaranth and waterhemp are incredibly difficult weeds to control, so it is imperative that we continue to work with farmers and others in the industry to combat these weeds using multiple approaches.”

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