Three Hills (Rural Roots Canada) – Steve Larocque, a progressive farmer from Three Hills, Alberta, is passionate about finding smarter solutions to tackle one of agriculture’s biggest challenges: herbicide-resistant weeds. For Larocque, the future lies in combining cultural practices with advanced technologies to create a more sustainable and economically viable approach to weed control.

“We’ve been tackling herbicide-resistant weeds with herbicides, which is the definition of insanity—to tackle a problem with the problem,” Larocque explained. “We know that we need all the tools in the toolbox. We’re not getting rid of herbicides, but there are cultural practices we can use, like early seeding, late seeding, higher seeding rates, or even winter cereals. But it still isn’t enough.”

The agricultural industry has long relied on herbicides as the first line of defence against weeds. However, resistance to these chemicals has become a growing problem, and the owner of Beyond Agronomy sees the potential of innovative technologies as a game-changer.

“What excites me most right now is the technology available,” Larocque said.

Advancements like pulse-width modulation, which moved the industry forward over a decade ago and improved the precision of herbicide application by maintaining consistent pressure and droplet size regardless of speed, set the stage for future advancements, which is now being realized with the emergence of “see and spray” technology.

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“Right now, with sensors and AI, they’re able to detect very small weeds – just green on brown,” Larocque explained. “In a pre-burn or pre-harvest scenario, they’re saving up to 70% of herbicides. That’s nothing short of amazing because the economics work. The payoff is really quick.”

The promise of this technology extends far beyond the initial savings. Larocque envisions a future where AI and sensors can differentiate between broadleaf weeds and grass weeds within specific crops, and eventually, even target grasses within cereal crops. “That’s the golden target,” he said.

Beyond just spraying weeds, Larocque is excited about the potential for data collection. “With AI, they’re able to detect where the densest weed patches are, whether it’s wild oats, kochia, or any other weed. You can be really specific with expensive herbicides,” he said. This targeted approach means farmers can avoid blanket applications, focusing resources only where they’re needed most.

Larocque also pointed out that the economic implications are profound. “One of the reasons we don’t do enough multiple stacking of herbicides is because it becomes uneconomical,” he explained. “You’re looking at $30 for one herbicide and $25 for another, which erodes your margins. But if you can specifically target the problem areas, you reduce costs, use fewer pesticides, and still get excellent results.”

According to Larocque, the ultimate goal is to make these advanced technologies accessible and appealing to farmers. “All of a sudden, you’ve got a great economic story that’s going to drive adoption. It’s not just about doing the right thing—it’s about doing something that truly changes the game,” he said.

For Larocque, integrating cultural practices and cutting-edge technology represents a holistic, forward-thinking approach to modern farming. By embracing these innovations, farmers like him are paving the way for a more sustainable and profitable future in agriculture.