The NAGC, in partnership with NDSU weed scientists, proposes to continue herbicide resistance (HR) testing through an easy sampling program that combines genetic testing with in-field collection. Increasing the availability of new HR diagnostic tools, NAGC aims to empower farmers and agronomists to quickly identify resistant weeds, allowing for timely and targeted control. The proposed project will distribute 500 additional collection kits across the state to test pigweeds and kochia populations for resistance to Groups 2, 9, and 14 herbicides. Personalized reports will provide results within days, helping farmers make informed decisions on herbicide applications. Results will also be compiled into maps of statewide HR prevalence, shared widely through various outreach channels. Lastly, NAGC will develop novel HR tests to screen green foxtail and wild oat populations, two common and highly problematic annual grasses. The project leverages previous NAGC and NDSU efforts to enhance HR monitoring tools and foster statewide participation, contributing to sustainable agricultural practices for weed management across North Dakota.

1. Offer free HR screening for pigweeds and kochia during the 2025-26 growing seasons.
2. Validate new HR screening tests for green foxtail and wild oat.

1. Collection kits to ship leaf samples to NAGC for genetic screening of HR potential.
2. Confidential reports sent directly to collectors with HR results from submitted samples.
3. County-level maps showing the HR potential of weed populations across North Dakota.
4. New HR screening tests for at least two annual grasses.

Results from our collaborative program reinforce the ongoing and intensifying weed issues in the state. Agronomists that have used NAGC testing have started conversations with clients about shifting towards more effective herbicides in future seasons. Continuing the sampling program will allow NAGC to offer more testing options and increase sampling depth within each county. The strongest evidence of HR comes from greenhouse work, but incorporating genetic tests into the weed management toolbox offers a quicker screening method that can be used throughout the growing season. Individual farmers that submit samples for this survey will also gain more knowledge about HR weeds within their fields and local area. These personalized results can help with decisions on what herbicide mixes may provide the maximum return, potentially on a field-to-field basis. The agricultural community benefits from updates to a county-level map that shows regional hotspots of HR weeds each year. This map can advise where more resources, such as extension and outreach, are needed to help combat weeds in North Dakota.