Resistant Wild Oat Action Committee (RWOAC)

Eric Johnson, Canadian Weed Science Society

Start Date: April 1, 2021
End Date: January 31, 2023

AWC’s funding: $89,000

Field surveys on the Canadian Prairies have reported that 69% of fields sampled for wild oats contain wild oats with some level of herbicide resistance (HR). In response to a public request, the Canadian Weed Science Society recently formed a Resistant Wild Oat Action Committee.

The committee consists of 12 members representing a cross-section of the agricultural industry, including producers, research scientists, government, agrichemical industry, and retail agronomists.

The short term objectives of this project are:

• Compile global knowledge on wild oat biology and management.

• Engage producers, agronomists and scientists in a community-based pilot project focused on HR wild oats in central Alberta

• Disseminate HR wild oat information to producers and agronomists.

• Increase the number of wild oat samples submitted for HR testing

• Identify research gaps to develop new research initiatives

The project involves a multi-faceted approach to addressing the resistance issue. Funding for a part-time manager is requested to coordinate several activities including: developing an inventory of past and current research on wild oat biology and management; a voluntary producer testing program to increase awareness; an extension and awareness program (direct mail, webpage, social media); a series of regional producer meetings that include “listening sessions”’ to encourage the formation of a community-based pilot project. Outcomes include increased awareness of resistance issues, producer-led community-based solutions to manage herbicide resistance in wild oat, and readily available extension materials. The long-term objective is to have a viable, ongoing Resistant Wild Oat Action Committee.