The Western Grains Research Foundation (WGRF) is excited to announce the official launch of Prairieweeds.com, a comprehensive online platform designed to support the Prairie Weed Monitoring Network (PWMN) through the Integrated Crop Agronomy Cluster.

Led by Dr. Charles Geddes and Julia Leeson from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), the PWMN is a pioneering initiative aimed at implementing an all-inclusive weed biovigilance strategy across the Canadian prairies. The PWMN is a coordinated collaboration among federal, provincial, and academic weed science experts.

 “The launch of Prairieweeds.com marks a significant milestone in the development of the PWMN,” says Dr. Charles Geddes, Weed Scientist, AAFC. “Prairieweeds.com will serve as the digital home of the PWMN, offering a wealth of resources and up-to-date information on weed abundance, herbicide resistance, and integrated weed management specific to the Canadian prairies.”

The PWMN will build on the existing and highly successful models of the Prairie Pest Monitoring Network, and Prairie Crop Disease Monitoring Network, and will formalize and coordinate weed awareness, detection/identification, and assessment activities for the Prairie region.

Laura Reiter, WGRF Board Chair, expressed enthusiasm for the project, stating, “Prairieweeds.com will be a great resource for farmers, agronomists, and researchers. The website is a great opportunity to provide the agricultural industry with the information required to manage weeds effectively, anticipate new threats, and mitigate herbicide-resistant weeds.”

The Prairie Weed Monitoring Network (PWMN) is supported by funding from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership’s AgriScience Program – Clusters Component, WGRF, Alberta Grains, Alberta Canola, SaskCanola, Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission, Saskatchewan Pulse Growers, Manitoba Crop Alliance, Manitoba Pulse and Soybean Growers, Manitoba Canola Growers Association, and Prairie Oat Growers Association.