GHRC 2017 Interactive Workshops

The 2nd Global Herbicide Resistance Challenge is being held May 14-18, 2017 in Denver, Colorado, USA . Tuesday, May 16, will be dedicated to concurrent interactive workshops (Socioeconomic and Human Dimensions of Herbicide Resistance; Bridging the gap between weed genomics and herbicide resistance management; Communication is critical to solve our herbicide resistance problems; Linking Big Data and Resistance Testing for Precision Herbicide Resistance Management).

Workshop: Socioeconomics and Human Dimensions of Herbicide Resistance
Lead organizer: George Frisvold, University of Arizona
Workshop committee:

The workshop will be divided into two parts. Part One will provide an overview and update on recent research on the costs of herbicide resistant weeds and long-run benefits of resistance management. Presentations will then discuss economic and social barriers to farmer adoption of resistance management practices. Part Two of the workshop will involve an interactive resistance management game that participants will play. The game has been successfully applied in classroom settings and at professional meetings. Research has found that farmers often perceive that the success of their own resistance management may be thwarted if their neighbors are not adequately managing resistance as well. The game allows participants to explore ways to overcome this obstacle and illustrates the roles of economics and incomplete information in finding solutions. It also allows participants to experiment with "bottom-up" voluntary approaches toward resistance management as an alternative to "top-down" regulatory approaches.

Workshop: Bridging the gap between weed genomics and herbicide resistance management
Lead organizer: Paul Neve
Workshop committee: Karl Ravet, Chris Saski
Tentative table leads: Roland Beffa, Per Kudsk, Pedro Christofoletti, Pat Tranel, Chris Preston, Amy Lawton-Rauh

Nearly all studies of weed genomics are predicated on the assumption that a better integration of molecular genetics, resistance mechanisms and the eco-evolutionary processes that drive selection for resistance can lead to better informed resistance management. As access to weed genomic data and resources improves, it is now timely to review how we may bring the power of weed genomics to bear on the herbicide resistance challenge; closing the gap between fundamental weed biology and practicable herbicide resistance and weed management. The objectives of this workshop are to identify 1) the information, tools and applications that growers, advisers and the applied weed research community would like to see weed genomics deliver; 2) the expectations of weeds genomics specialists for progress in the next 5-10 years towards providing tractable tools for application in weed management; and 3) to provide a roadmap for weed genomics research that enables meaningful collaboration between basic and applied weed research to realize the power and potential of weed genomics. We hope that this workshop will be attended by weed researchers and managers from across the basic to applied spectrum to generate a thoughtful discussion towards bridging the gap between weed genomics and weed management. No prior knowledge of weed genomics is required.

Workshop: Communication is critical to solve our herbicide resistance problems
Lead organizer: Peter Newman
Workshop committee: Melissa Curtin, Andrew Kniss

Australia is a global leader in weed control. We had the worldaEUR(tm)s biggest herbicide resistance problem which compelled us to find solutions to manage resistant weeds and keep herbicides working.

Our farmers have adopted diverse weed control systems that include herbicide and non-herbicide weed control tools, and itaEUR(tm)s paying dividends. Here is the kicker. Very few of these tools were developed by researchers. Almost every tool was developed by farmers. We use science to verify the efficacy of the tools, and we use extensive communication to promote the adoption of these tools with the farmeraEUR(tm)s best interest at heart. Effective communication is critical to drive the practice change required to solve the monumental problem of herbicide resistance. For communication to be successful there are two key elements;

1. Communication must be resourced. Professor Steve Powles is the director of AHRI based at The University of Western Australia. He often comments, aEURoeDo you know how hard it is, as a researcher, to spend a third of your budget on communication?aEUR Researchers commonly spend the vast majority of their budget on more research.
   
2. Communication must be done extremely well. We are in a world of information overload. In this saturated world of information, how do we best communicate with farmers to drive practice change in the right direction? We need to think influence, not information. Do with, not for.
   

The AHRI communication program includes a newsletter (AHRI insight, written to a formula of layered information), Twitter, YouTube videos, an on-line learning site called Diversity era, champion growers as presenters, grower case studies, face to face presentations, webinars, podcasts, and an industry led initiative called Weedsmart that improves awareness and provides solutions to growers. All of these activities are linked and have a purpose.

In this workshop we will teach you the key elements of a successful communication program in the modern world to win the war against herbicide resistant weeds. It is then up to program leaders to resource communication to encourage change in attitudes and practices.

Workshop: Linking Big Data and Resistance Testing for Precision Herbicide Resistance Management
Lead organizer: Ian Burke
Workshop committee: Peter Boutsalis, Harry Strek, Rob Freckleton

The workshop will explore precision herbicide resistance management in a data intensive environment, including topics such as resistance testing; spatial distribution of resistance; management zones for variation in resistance; and incorporating resistance testing data for real-time variable rate/treatment applications. Resistance testing will be explored from public and private sector perspectives, as well as the potential for spatial mapping using remote sensing and distribution of population density and resistance. Current capabilities of technology for computer controlled sprayer systems will be discussed.