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1. Facultative winter annuals are increasingly problematic with climate changes. The term “facultative” means optional or discretionary. As mentioned earlier, cleavers are a facultative winter annual which means they have the ability to germinate in the fall or the spring. Fall germinating cleavers have been shown to survive most current winter conditions, and if left until spring, can be quite challenging to control. In addition, cleavers can germinate at very low temperatures in the spring, between 2 C and 4 C, and grow well in relatively cool conditions. So even though little else is growing, cleavers may be outside of the window for effective control by the time a pre-seed burn-off is contemplated or even larger if relying on a post-emergent herbicide application. Herbicide labels indicate control of cleavers through a small range, sometimes up to nine whorls, but the most effective way to control any weed is to spray early, which, for cleavers, is as early as two to three whorls. With fall-emerging cleavers, a fall herbicide application would be recommended. As growth stages increase, there may need to be an adjustment to a higher rate of herbicide, as outlined by the herbicide label, to ensure control.

2. Herbicide resistant cleavers have been confirmed to both Group 2 and Group 4 herbicides in Western Canada. Add to that, Hugh Beckie (formerly with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada) has predicted that cleavers are near the top of the list to develop glyphosate resistance. It is important to scout to observe potential product failure with cleaver control. Part of the challenge is that whorl of small leaves, with a tricky leaf surface that is best covered with higher spray pressures and water rates to ensure proper coverage. While cleavers are primarily self-pollinated, the risk of spreading herbicide resistance is through those sticky stems and seeds that cling to many objects, and also the twining stems that wrap around machinery. Spreading seeds helps cleavers prevail by increasing genetic diversity in populations within a field as well as spreading resistant biotypes.

With these two biological considerations in mind, the general weed management strategies all apply:

- Spray when weeds are small—two to three whorls.

- Incorporate integrated weed management tactics. Cereals provide a great opportunity to address cleaver control to reduce pressure in future rotational crops.

- Where there are rate ranges labelled for a herbicide (such as glyphosate, glufosinate or even fluroxypyr) select herbicide rates based on the weed staging.

- Use herbicide mixtures that provide multiple modes of action to ensure that in-crop and pre-seed/fall-applied options continue to remain effective.

- In dry soils, the seeds can remain viable for several years, so tillage is not likely an effective control measure.

That being said, studies indicate that false cleavers are becoming the predominant cleavers species in Western Canada. This weed is extremely versatile, with a wide range of conditions that allow for germination and growth. Successfully controlling cleavers near the time of emergence will mean looking at fall and spring weed control options, using pre-seed herbicides with some flushing control or

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