WESTMINSTER, Colorado – November 7, 2022 – The Weed Science Society of America (WSSA) and its regional affiliates have scheduled upcoming annual meetings to discuss new developments in weed science – including technology tools to support precision weed management.
First up are the annual meetings of the Canadian and the North Central weed science societies. Details for those two events are below. “Save the date” information is included for the annual meetings of WSSA and the Northeastern, Southern and Western societies, which are scheduled for the first quarter of 2023.
- Canadian Weed Science Society (CWSS), November 14-17
The CWSS and the Canadian Society of Agronomy will host a joint annual meeting in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The theme of this year’s meeting is “precision crop and pest management – from promise to almost reality.” A special plenary session on the topic will be led by six prominent scientists, including:
- Athyna Cambouris, Ph.D., a researcher with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada specializing in precision agriculture – from remote sensing to geomatics.
- Travis Esau, Ph., associate professor at Dalhousie University and a mechanical engineer focused on precision agriculture and automation of agricultural operations.
- Aitazaz Farooque, Ph.D., associate professor and director of the Center of Excellence in Food Security and Sustainability at the University of Prince Edward Island.
- Steve Fennimore, Ph.D., professor and weed scientist at the University of California who focuses on weed management in vegetables, flowers and strawberries.
- Louis Longchamps, Ph.D., assistant professor at Cornell University and chair of the On-Farm Experimentation Community of the International Society of Precision Agriculture.
- Arnold Schumann, Ph.D., professor at the University of Florida and adjunct professor at both Dalhousie University and the University of Prince Edward Island.
The three-day, information-packed meeting will include a wide range of learning opportunities, including a workshop on statistical analysis, a workshop on publishing scientific papers, a symposium on biomass crops, graduate student presentations, and both oral and poster presentations on weed management and agronomy. Early arrivers can take advantage of preconference tours showcasing Nova Scotia’s rich natural biodiversity, agricultural systems and history.
Additional information is available online.
- North Central Weed Science Society (NCWSS), December 5-8
The NCWSS annual meeting will be held in St. Louis, Missouri. The information-packed agenda includes more than 80 oral presentations and more than 80 poster presentations on a wide range of weed science topics.
Two special symposia are planned. The first will focus on the impact of the U.S. Endangered Species Act on herbicide registration and regulation. The second will focus on new frontiers in application technology, including the handling of “big data.”
General sessions will include an address by NCWSS President David Simpson, as well as a keynote delivered by Alan Walters of Southern Illinois University on horseradish crops. Lee Van Wychen, executive director of science policy for WSSA and its regional affiliates, will provide insights on weed science policy initiatives under discussion in Washington.
Several activities are planned for weed science students, including a preconference tour of Bayer’s nearby lab, growth chamber and greenhouse spaces. The tour will include presentations and a panel discussion on how to make the transition from a student to industry professional.
Additional information is available online.
- Meetings Scheduled for Early Next Year
The annual meetings below have been scheduled for the first quarter of 2023. Further details will be publicized and posted online as they become available.
- The Southern Weed Science Society (SWSS) will meet January 23-26 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
- Both WSSA and the Northeastern Weed Science Society (NEWSS) will meet jointly on January 30-February 2 in Arlington, Virginia.
- The Western Society of Weed Science (WSWS) will meet February 27-March 3 in Boise, Idaho.
About the Weed Science Society of America
The Weed Science Society of America, a nonprofit scientific society, was founded in 1956 to encourage and promote the development of knowledge concerning weeds and their impact on the environment. The Society promotes research, education and extension outreach activities related to weeds, provides science-based information to the public and policy makers, fosters awareness of weeds and their impact on managed and natural ecosystems, and promotes cooperation among weed science organizations across the nation and around the world. For more information, visit www.wssa.net.
Press Contact:
Lee Van Wychen
Executive Director of Science Policy
National & Regional Weed Science Societies
[email protected]
202-746-4686