NSAC Weed Science Team

2006 Competition

The 2005 North Eastern Weed Science Society Competition will be held in Rhode Island. Meetings are held in Cox, Room 101 every second Tuesday night at 6:30 for all participants who are interested in the competition. These meetings will cover the various events of the competition to help students be better prepared to compete.

For more information regarding meetings and the competition, please contact Scott White or Glen Sampson.

The purpose of the Northeastern Collegiate Weed Science Contest is to provide an educational experience from which students in the Northeastern universities can broaden their applied skills in weed science. The contest provides an opportunity for weed science students to meet and talk with each other, be exposed to researchers from other universities and industry, and apply what they have learned using a contest to measure their capabilities.

The weed science contest is held annually at a university or industry host location in the northeastern U.S. or Canada. The three-day event (one competition day and two travel days) brings approximately 50-60 graduate and undergraduate students from northeastern universities together. Students compete as individuals and as teams for regional awards and for fun.

Events of the Competition

Contestants are required to identify 25 weeds and weed seed samples by common (and some by scientific name). The specimens are selected from a list of 83 species that is provided prior to the contest.

There are 2 components to this part of the contest:

The first part is a written test on sprayer calibration. Participants complete an exam that covers various aspects of sprayer calibration, application, and equipment.

The second part is a hands-on event in which the participant must calibrate a CO2-backpack sprayer. The goal is to correctly assemble the research plot sprayer, select the correct nozzles and other components, and properly calibrate the sprayer to get a desired output.

About 20 crop and weed species are treated with different herbicides. The contestants must determine from control, injury, species present, and other symptoms what herbicides were used. Herbicides and species used are selected from a list that is provided prior to the contest.

This is a role-play event in which the participant assumes a position of an extension, sales, or research person dealing with a farmer/grower in a field or office setting. The participant is judged on how he/she approaches the grower and reasons through the problems presented.

Actual field situations are used to test the student’s knowledge of weed management and other crop production principles. This is generally the most difficult event to prepare for but it is usually the most rewarding and enjoyable. It provides a lot of helpful experience for future use.