U of A weed science team wins southern region competition
By Robby Edwards
Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences
Oct. 12, 2018
Fast Facts:
- Five Crop, Soil, and Environmental Sciences students take top honors
- Team captain Zachary Lancaster takes 1st overall individual award
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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas weed science team won the Southern Weed Science Society 2018 Southern Weed Contest in August at the Agricenter International in Memphis, Tennessee.
Competitors rotated to different stations where various weed science-related scenarios were set up. From herbicide symptomology and calibration to weed identification and recommendations, students were challenged, tested and scored.
To provide a diversion from their chosen discipline, this year’s contest included a "mystery event,” in which a flat-bed gooseneck trailer was set up with various flaws, including items such as a cargo load not being properly secured for transport. Students were expected to identify faults making it illegal for the trailer to travel.
The team is composed of students from the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Science's Department of Crop, Soil, and Environmental Sciences, part of the Division of Agriculture. Team members are Wyatt Coffman, Zachary Lancaster, Lawson Priess, Jacob Richburg and Hannah Wright. Coaches included Nilda Burgos and Jason Norsworthy, both of whom are professors of Crop, Soil and Environmental Science with appointments within the Division of Agriculture.
In individual competition and scoring, U of A team captain Lancaster finished first overall, and was the top individual in weed identification and calibration. Wright was fourth overall and first in the farmer problem category. Coffman was third overall, Priess fifth and Richburg eighth.
Virginia Tech and Louisiana State University finished second and third.
In addition, the Arkansas team earned the Green Alligator Award for recording a perfect score in the team sprayer calibration event. The challenge involved calibrating a fluoridone application in a pond to control aquatic weeds.
To learn more about weed science, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu.
About the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences
Bumpers College provides life-changing opportunities to position and prepare graduates who will be leaders in the businesses associated with foods, family, the environment, agriculture, sustainability and human quality of life; and who will be first-choice candidates of employers looking for leaders, innovators, policy makers and entrepreneurs. The college is named for Dale Bumpers, former Arkansas governor and longtime U.S. senator who made the state prominent in national and international agriculture.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on five system campuses.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs to all eligible persons without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
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Media Contact: Mary Hightower
Dir. of Communication Services
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2126
mhightower@uada.edu