A Key Part of Regenerative Farming Systems
As the global population grows to approximately 9 billion by 2050, innovation in agriculture becomes even more important to reaching our vision: “Produce 50% More. Restore Nature. Scale Regenerative Agriculture.”
But the goal of producing enough food for a growing population – and doing so in a sustainable way – will only become more challenging as pest pressure increases and herbicide-resistant weeds become more prevalent in many parts of the world, leading to yield reductions by approximately 20%. Hence, an effective and systematic weed management response is more critical than ever.
Challenging Weeds
Weeds compete with crops for water, light and nutrients while potentially carrying pests and diseases, which made their management a historical priority to farmers around the world. When weed resistance develops, it leads to complexity, increased production costs and potentially decreased crop yields. Integrated Weed Management (IWM) is a comprehensive and well-known approach that prevents and addresses these challenges by combining various strategies to achieve effective and sustainable weed control while mitigating weed resistance.
This method emphasizes the importance of understanding the biology and ecology of weeds to manage them effectively with additional tools rather than chemical herbicides only. IWM strategies include crop rotation, cover cropping, mechanical weeding, mapping and monitoring weeds field by field, the sustainable use of herbicides, biologicals, and innovative practices being presented and developed by precision farming. The goal of IWM is not only to control weed resistance, but also to prevent the spread of weeds and minimize their impact on crop production, while contributing to environmental preservation and biodiversity.
Bayer’s Integrated Weed Management aims to help farmers optimize water use and reduce reliance on a single weed control method by promoting a combination of strategies. This includes the use of crop rotation, seeds and traits, digital enablement and diverse chemical and biological herbicides. Through new modes of action, digital technologies and agronomic practices, we aim to provide growers around the world with new and innovative weed management services that support their short- and long-term needs and goals.
Bayer's IWM strategy includes several core principles:
- Knowing the Weed Spectrum: Identifying problematic weed species in a field is crucial for tailored management strategies.
- Systematic multiyear approach: This involves disrupting the life cycles of target weeds through a mix of control measures over multiple years.
- Diversity in Weed Management: Utilizing a variety of control techniques helps to keep weeds off balance and fosters sustainable herbicide usage.
- Cultural Methods: Practices like crop rotation, optimal sowing time point, competitive varieties and weed suppression through cover crops can enhance crop competition against weeds.
- Mechanical Methods: Techniques such as interrow weeding, mowing and destruction of weed seeds during harvest can be employed where appropriate.
- Chemical Methods: Rotating and mixing herbicides with different modes of action can slow weed resistance evolution. Precision application technologies can help to target weeds effectively and reduce application rates.
- Digital Monitoring: The role of precision farming increases over time, offering constant monitoring, weed identification and evolution, creating a data base which can be translated into tailored solutions.
IWM and Regenerative Agriculture
Regenerative agriculture is a holistic and outcome-driven approach to farming that seeks to restore soil health, increase biodiversity, improve water cycles, mitigate climate change and enhance the productivity and livelihood of farmers and their communities. It focuses on agronomic practices that regenerate the soil, including minimal soil disturbance, cover cropping, crop diversification, and the integration of livestock. Regenerative agriculture aims to create resilient agricultural systems that can sustainably produce food, feed, fiber and fuel.
The connection between integrated weed management and regenerative agriculture lies in their shared agronomic practices supporting sustainability goals: environmental health, social welfare and economic prosperity. Both approaches advocate for a targeted and precise use of crop protection and the promotion of agronomic practices that support ecological balance and maintain productivity for the farmer. For instance, cover cropping, a common practice in regenerative agriculture, can also serve as an effective strategy in IWM by suppressing weed growth, improving soil structure, and enhancing microbial activity. Similarly, crop rotation and diversification can disrupt weed life cycles and reduce weed pressure, aligning with the principles of both IWM and regenerative agriculture.
Additionally, technological advancements play a significant role in transforming regenerative agricultural practices. Innovations in biotechnology, herbicides, data analytics and precision farming enable data-driven decisions that optimize yields and resource use. Digitalization and new plant breeding methods, combined with modern herbicides, offer promising contributions for IWM, enhancing the overall efficiency of weed management strategies while keeping regenerative agriculture practices at focus.
Looking ahead
By integrating weed management strategies within the framework of regenerative agriculture, farmers can achieve more sustainable and resilient agricultural systems. This integration not only addresses the immediate challenge of weed control but also contributes to the long-term health of the agroecosystem. It reflects a shift away from conventional agricultural practices that rely heavily on chemical inputs towards more holistic practices, prioritizing soil health and biodiversity, while keeping productivity.
Bayer's commitment to Integrated Weed Management supports regenerative agricultural practices that address and prevent the challenges posed by herbicide-resistant weeds. Through research on new herbicides with a better environmental footprint, collaboration and a focus on diverse management strategies, Bayer collaborates with and empowers farmers to protect their crops and secure food supplies for the future. This holistic approach promotes regenerative farming systems that thrive in harmony with the ecosystems they depend upon, paving the way for a resilient agricultural landscape for generations to come.
