Suspected Herbicide-Resistant Tall Waterhemp Now Present in Upstate New York
Joshua Putman, Field Crops and Forage Specialist
Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock and Field Crops Program

Tall waterhemp is one of the most problematic weed species throughout the Midwest and has now arrived and spread to eight counties in Upstate New York (Figure 1).
It also happens to be one of our weed species that is glyphosate-resistant or better known as Roundup-resistant. Recent research conducted by Dr. Bryan Brown, Integrated Weed Management Specialist at the Geneva Experiment Station, has found 2 populations of waterhemp that survived an application of atrazine, imazethapyr (Pursuit) and glyphosate - meaning these populations are resistant to multiple Modes of Action (MOA's). Waterhemp is a part of the pigweed family and has evolved resistance to herbicides very quickly. Waterhemp is dioecous, meaning there are separate male and female plants. Another reason this weed is problematic is that it grows very rapidly and can produce more than 1 million seeds per plant. It competes for sunlight, water and nutrients. Waterhemp can spread from field-to-field and farm-to-farm on equipment, clothing, application equipment, or via water from over flooded ditches and rivers. Currently, research is being conducted to evaluate various PRE and POSTEMERGE herbicide options for controlling this weed in both corn and soybeans here in New York. It is important to know the difference between this weed and other pigweed's like it.
Upcoming Events
WNY Pastureland Conversion & Soil Health Field Day
July 16, 2025
Middleport, NY
Join American Farmland Trust for the Western New York Soil Health Field Day on July 16, 2025, at Zeliff Farm in Middleport, NY, from 9:00 AM-3:15 PM. Learn about pasture conversion, soil health benchmarking, biochar in grazing systems, and best grazing practices. Plus, enjoy hands-on demos with the NY Soil Health Trailer, drones, and cover crops! Check out the attached agenda for more information about the field day and REGISTER HERE. Zeliff Farms is a regenerative beef operation who has recently partnered with AFT on outreach and education to farmers including learning circles and evaluating biochar effects on soil health.
IPM Strategies to Protect Corn and Soybean Seed in NY

July 30, 2025
Hamburg , NY
SWNYDLFC and Cornell IPM are hosting a grower meeting to discuss integrated pest management strategies for protecting corn and soybean seed in New York.
FAMACHA Training for Sheep and Goat producers in Woodhull NY
August 13, 2025 : FAMACHA Training in Woodhull
Woodhull, NY
Join us for a discussion and hands-on training for internal parasite integrated pest management in sheep and goats. Certification is available to all students participating in the workshop.
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