War Against Weeds

By Sarah Lancaster

Sarah, Joe, and Alyssa are three Extension weed scientists on a mission to help their audience understand what it takes for farmers to fight the war against weeds.

This podcast is funded through the ... more

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FAQs about War Against Weeds:

How many episodes does War Against Weeds have?

The podcast currently has 183 episodes available.

War Against Weeds episodes:

May 20, 2026 S11 E16 - Herbicide Ballistic Technology: Innovation in Invasive Plant Management
In the last episode of season 11, Sarah and Alyssa sit down with Dr. James Leary to explore the innovative world of herbicide ballistic technology. James shares how his work in Hawaii led to the development of herbicide-filled projectiles designed to target invasive plants in hard-to-reach terrain. The conversation dives into the science, logistics, and surprising practicality of "shooting weeds," and how creative thinking can transform invasive species management and conservation efforts.

Here are some resources our guest shared!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=988i6SQKSzY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWYR6C3T3NQ

Transcript:

PDF: https://app.box.com/s/a2cicz0jpo74m02otm8bjhkmcngjjns7

DOC: https://app.box.com/s/ekzn3mq1jwi0hlq449qz5a49ip7ilmes

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37min
May 13, 2026 S11 E15 - Two States, One Challenge: The War on Weeds in Cotton
In this episode of War Against Weeds, the hosts sit down with weed science experts Dr. Peter Dotray (Texas Tech University) and Dr. Stanley Culpepper (University of Georgia) to explore the unique challenges of growing cotton across different regions of the U.S. From starting clean at planting to the critical role of timely herbicide applications and overlapping residuals, they break down what it takes to manage weeds in this slow-growing, high-maintenance crop. Episode Trancript PDF: https://app.box.com/s/up693ucumuokzjoz6su63t43rb72n6io DOC: https://app.box.com/s/2ee7afg6rki1qegpowitnncgs69v1l7e
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54min
May 06, 2026 S11 E14 - Hidden Residues: Sprayer Hoses and Herbicide Carryover
This week Joe Ikley and Sarah Ganske are joined by Dr. Tom Mueller (University of Tennessee) to discuss sprayer hose cleanout and herbicide residue risks. The conversation focuses on how hose materials, aging, and system design affect herbicide retention, with research insights comparing dicamba and 2,4-D cleanout challenges. They also share practical recommendations for applicators, including agitation practices, downtime risks, and when hose replacement may be necessary to avoid crop injury. Link: https://utcrops.com/ Transcripts: PDF: https://app.box.com/s/4esrl1zv0dd0za3uojxah0jpwvqdy90i DOC: https://app.box.com/s/frnfuvcvn5t7h6kg11v4cch4jmeigsny
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30min
April 29, 2026 S11 E13 - Nozzle Know-How: Balancing Coverage, Deposition, and Drift for Effective Weed Control
In this episode of the War Against Weeds podcast, Alyssa Essman and Sarah Lancaster Ganske are joined by Purdue Extension weed scientist Dr. Tommy Butts for a deep dive into spray nozzles, droplet size, and deposition. The conversation covers how nozzle selection influences coverage, drift, deposition, and weed control, with practical recommendations for ground applications, pulse sprayers, and managing risk in real-world conditions. Epsisode Transcript PDF: https://app.box.com/s/rci0uzr4ww772196tdfeia0vvrdidzas DOC: https://app.box.com/s/398aewwxuygy3rrf3d968e5iyae6vqc4
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41min
April 22, 2026 S11 E12 - Beyond the Silver Bullet: The Social Side of Weed Management
In this episode of the War Against Weeds podcast, Sarah and Joe welcome Dr. Katie Dentzman of Iowa State University to explore the human and social dimensions of herbicide resistance management. The conversation digs into why "silver bullet" solutions are so appealing, the real-world barriers to adopting integrated weed management, and how community dynamics shape decision-making in agriculture.

Episode Transcript

PDF: https://app.box.com/s/jttzmn1oq5mxq4n629j7ieo16l1muf7p

DOC: https://app.box.com/s/ek68ebp2ztqu8lsh7msn82427fvavio8
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35min
April 15, 2026 S11 E11 - HRAC 2026 Update: Changes to the Herbicide Modes of Action Poster
In this episode Sarah and Joe welcome Hudson Takano of Corteva Agriscience for an update on the Herbicide Resistance Action Committee (HRAC) and the newly released 2026 HRAC Mode of Action poster. Hudson explains HRAC's role in resistance management, how herbicides are evaluated and classified, and what goes into updating the poster. The conversation highlights newly added herbicides, and why some older or low-use herbicides were removed. The episode also looks ahead to future HRAC work, upcoming herbicides, and where listeners can find the latest HRAC resources online. https://hracglobal.com/tools/2026-hrac-global-herbicide-moa-classification Episode Transcript PDF: https://app.box.com/s/i7fb437reya4ipjf8fbwqagw03jq2c6a DOC: https://app.box.com/s/ur49aaooemdaqlswqfnmu15o5frly1e8
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27min
April 08, 2026 S11 E10 - PPO Resistant Kochia: From Field Failures to the Lab
In this episode of the War Against Weeds podcast, Sarah Ganske and Joe Ikley explore the emergence of PPO resistant kochia across the northern Great Plains. Joined by BASF scientists Dr. Ingo Meiners and Dr. Aimone Porri, the group walks through how field failures led to greenhouse confirmation and the discovery of novel PPO target‑site mutations. They discuss why these mutations affect some PPO herbicides but not others and how the findings are already shaping resistance diagnostics and management decisions. They end the episode with practical guidance for growers and a broader look at the importance of collaboration in tackling evolving weed resistance challenges.
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47min
April 01, 2026 S11 E9 - Glufosinate Resistance in Waterhemp: What We Know (and What Comes Next)
In this episode of War Against Weeds, hosts Alyssa and Sarah sit down with Dr. Karla Gage (Southern Illinois University Carbondale) and Dr. Pat Tranel (University of Illinois) to discuss emerging glufosinate resistance in waterhemp and what it means for growers moving forward.
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38min
March 25, 2026 S11 E8 - Drones Update
In this episode of War Against Weeds, Joe Ikley and Alyssa Essman talk with spray technology experts Dr. Tom Wolf and Dr. Jason Deveau about how rapidly spray drones have evolved and why they're challenging to use effectively. They discuss issues like swath variability, droplet behavior, and operator exposure, while also highlighting situations where drones offer clear logistical advantages. The result is a candid, practical look at both the promise and limitations of agricultural spray drones today.
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55min
March 18, 2026 S11 E7 - Teasel Control with Dr. Reid Smeda
In this episode of War Against Weeds, Sarah and Alyssa sit down with Dr. Reid Smeda of the University of Missouri to dig into the biology, history, and management of invasive teasels. From their origins to their modern spread along roadsides, teasels prove to be more troublesome than their quirky seed heads suggest. Dr. Smeda breaks down why they're so difficult to control and shares long‑term strategies for effective management in rights‑of‑way and beyond. Whether you've seen teasel creeping into your county or just want to stay ahead of emerging noxious weeds, this is a conversation you won't want to miss. Episode Transcripts PDF: https://app.box.com/s/sn8ypb72g1scf0xxvv1zgkb6916t6p77 DOC: https://app.box.com/s/cli6p5ld0vlemyq0m642y2osk049biof
Teasel resources

https://www.fs.usda.gov/database/feis/plants/forb/dipspp/all.html

https://mdc.mo.gov/trees-plants/invasive-plants/common-cut-leaved-teasel-control

https://www.purdue.edu/fnr/extension/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/FNR-649TeaselADA-final-comp.pdf

https://www.nps.gov/articles/cutleaf-teasel.htm

https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/terrestrialplants/cutleavedteasel.html

Bentivegna and Smeda

https://doi.org/10.1614/IPSM-D-10-00026.1

https://doi.org/10.1614/WT-08-043.1
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29min

FAQs about War Against Weeds:

How many episodes does War Against Weeds have?

The podcast currently has 183 episodes available.