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Electric weeder returns as resistant weeds challenge sugarbeet growers

Some sugarbeet growers are returning to a decade’s old weed control approach because of herbicide resistance.

Kevin Olson is the president of LASCO Manufacturing, which uses a patented electric discharge system on its Lightning Weeder tool to kill weeds.

He tells Brownfield the weeder was developed by Allis Chalmers in the early 1980’s in response to chemically resistant weeds, but production dipped when the company experienced financial trouble.

“We’re full circle, we’re back in sugarbeets. I just delivered a new machine to a farmer in the Red River Valley, we’ve got several custom applicators running in the sugarbeets. Naturally, the organics are a huge part of our customer base because they don’t have a lot of other options.”

Olson says the Lightning Weeder is extremely effective against common resistant weeds like waterhemp and giant ragweed.

“When the plant is forced to conduct that current and it blows up the cell walls, it doesn’t have the structure to stand anymore even in most cases. And it will collapse right into the canopy and disappear, so from the road it’s going to look like a conventional field that’s been very well taken care of.”

As herbicide resistance spreads, he says more growers are expanding their weed management strategies beyond herbicides and describes the Lightning Weeder as a practical, durable, and chemical-free weed management solution.