Historically, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) has focused primarily on insect pressure, with programs developed for major crop pests. However, increasing concerns about the health and environmental risks of herbicides, rising input costs, and growing weed resistance—often due to over-reliance on the same mode of action—have sparked greater interest in integrated weed management.
IPM for weeds uses cultural, biological, mechanical, and preventative methods to control weed populations while minimizing risks to human health and the environment. Scouting is essential to accurately identify weeds and determine if management is needed. Unlike insect IPM, economic and action thresholds are less applicable for weeds, making the focus more on proactive and preventative approaches.
When used, in what regions in the U.S. is the practice found:
Northwest, West, Upper Midwest, Southwest, Northeast, Southeast
FARM SIZE
When used, typically found on farms of the following sizes:
All Sizes

Practice Benefits
Increased yields: Weeds compete with crops like corn for essential resources such as light, nutrients, and water, particularly in the first three to five weeks after crop emergence, a critical period for growth. IPM emphasizes early detection and timely interventions to manage weeds before they can significantly impact yields. By controlling weed pressure during this crucial stage, crops are better able to thrive and reach their full yield potential.
Increased profitability: IPM reduces reliance on herbicides by promoting non-chemical weed control methods, such as crop rotation, cover cropping, and mechanical controls. Though these practices may require an initial investment in equipment or labor, they often lead to long-term cost savings by decreasing the need for expensive herbicides. Additionally, IPM helps prevent the development of herbicide-resistant weeds, further lowering future input costs and improving profitability over time.

Implementation Insights
Site-specific or Farm-specific requirements

This practice can be implemented on most farms with cropping operations.
Required Capital Expenditures (CapEx)

New equipment: Capital expenditures will depend on the method chosen that makes the most sense for the cropping system and weed being targeted. In some instances, farmers may want additional equipment such as roller crimpers for terminating cover crops and suppressing weeds, modified planters capable of handling higher residue conditions from cover crops, and cultivators or mechanical weed control equipment for targeted tillage.
Required Operational Expenditures (OpEx)

Scouting and monitoring: Regular field scouting and monitoring to identify weed species and assess population levels incur ongoing labor costs. Additional expenses may also be incurred for training employees or hiring consultants with expertise in weed identification and monitoring practices to ensure accurate detection and timely intervention.
Weed control methods: Operating mechanical weed control equipment, such as roller crimpers or tillage implements, involves fuel and maintenance expenses. Additionally, using mechanical methods like cultivation can increase labor costs, as these processes may require more time and frequent passes compared to other methods.
Consulting and expertise: Agronomists or IPM specialists provide expertise in developing and implementing effective weed management strategies.
Herbicide mode of action (MOA) rotation: Rotating herbicide MOAs to prevent resistance can result in higher costs, as this often requires purchasing a wider variety of herbicides. This approach involves balancing costs with long-term benefits, such as delaying herbicide resistance.
Changes to crop rotations: Adjusting crop rotations to reduce weed pressure may involve the additional cost of purchasing new seed varieties that align with the rotation strategy. Other costs associated with planting, managing, and harvesting a new crop.
Implementation Considerations

Knowledge: Successfully implementing IPM for weeds requires a solid understanding of several key factors, including how tillage practices influence weed and weed seed populations, the timing of weed emergence relative to the crop, and the critical period for weed control—when weed competition is most likely to reduce crop yield. It's also important to recognize the "harvest window," when later-emerging weeds no longer pose a significant threat to the current crop’s yield. External crop consultants or local retailers can be valuable resources for scouting fields and determining appropriate control methods, ensuring that weed management practices are both timely and effective.
Cover cropping: Implementing IPM for weed management often requires the strategic use of cover crops to reduce weed pressure. Cover crops can suppress weeds by competing for light, nutrients, and space while also providing a physical barrier. However, this method must be viewed as part of an integrated system rather than a one-time solution. Selecting the appropriate cover crop species and timing their planting correctly is essential to maximizing their weed suppression benefits.
Tillage and Cultivation: While reduced tillage has become popular for soil health reasons, IPM for weeds may reintroduce targeted tillage or cultivation. These mechanical methods help disrupt weed growth cycles and can be particularly effective when used in combination with other IPM strategies like cover cropping and crop rotation. However, tillage should be carefully managed to avoid degrading soil structure and increasing erosion risks.
Rotating crops and herbicide MOAs: Crop rotation is a critical component of IPM for weed management, helping break weed life cycles and reduce the persistence of specific weed species. Additionally, rotating herbicide MOAs are vital to avoid the development of herbicide-resistant weeds. Farmers need to understand the active ingredients in the herbicides they use and ensure they are rotating different chemistry classes to maintain efficacy.
Understanding herbicide traits and seed selection: IPM also involves understanding the specific traits of the seeds being planted, particularly in relation to herbicide tolerance. For example, some crop varieties are bred to be tolerant to herbicides like glyphosate or dicamba. Knowing the traits of these seeds allows for informed herbicide use, ensuring that the appropriate herbicide is applied without damaging the crop. Properly matching seed traits with herbicide plans is an important element of effective weed management.
Systematic approach: Managing weeds through IPM requires an integrated, systematic approach that combines cultural, mechanical, and chemical strategies. This includes adjusting planting schedules, maintaining crop diversity, and using multiple control methods to prevent weeds from adapting. The success of an IPM program depends on flexibility and the ability to modify practices as needed to manage evolving weed pressures. All practices work together to form a sustainable and balanced approach to weed control. Good record-keeping is essential for tracking herbicide use and avoiding over-reliance on a single MOA.
Financial Considerations and Revenue Streams
FEDERAL COST-SHARE PROGRAM
Funding is available for this practice through USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP).
Related EQIP Practice Standard: Pest Management Conservation Systems (595).
Related CSP Enhancements: Reduce risk of pesticides in surface water by utilizing precision pesticide application techniques (E595A), Reduce risk of pesticides in surface water and air by utilizing IPM PAMS techniques (E595B).
Notes:
Check with the local NRCS office on payment rates and practice requirements relevant to your location.
Additional Resources
Article: Integrated Pest Management Concepts for Weeds in Organic Farming Systems (eOrganic)
Article: Integrated Weed Management (University of California)
Guide: Manage Weeds on Your Farm (Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education)
Website: Herbicide Resistance (Grow)
Website: Weed IPM (Cornell University)

Environmental Impacts
IMPROVES WATER QUALITY
Integrated Weed Management (IWM), a key component of IPM for weeds, reduces reliance on chemical herbicides, which lowers the risk of water contamination through runoff and leaching. By incorporating cultural practices such as crop rotation, mechanical weeding, and cover cropping, IWM minimizes the need for synthetic herbicides that can leach or runoff into ground- and surface water.
SUPPORTS BIODIVERSITY
IPM for weeds promotes a more diverse ecosystem by reducing the use of broad-spectrum herbicides, which can harm non-target plants, animals, and beneficial organisms.

Alignment with FARM Program
FARM Environmental Stewardship (ES) V2-V3 Alignment
The optional FARM ES Conservation Practice Questionnaire (CPQ) asks if an integrated pest management (IPM) plan is used.
Contents
We're always eager to update the website with the latest research, implementation insights, financial case studies, and emerging practices. Use the link above to share your insights.
We're always eager to update the website with the latest research, implementation insights, financial case studies, and emerging practices. Use the link above to share your insights.
Historically, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) has focused primarily on insect pressure, with programs developed for major crop pests. However, increasing concerns about the health and environmental risks of herbicides, rising input costs, and growing weed resistance—often due to over-reliance on the same mode of action—have sparked greater interest in integrated weed management.
IPM for weeds uses cultural, biological, mechanical, and preventative methods to control weed populations while minimizing risks to human health and the environment. Scouting is essential to accurately identify weeds and determine if management is needed. Unlike insect IPM, economic and action thresholds are less applicable for weeds, making the focus more on proactive and preventative approaches.
Practices and technologies
Integrated Pest Management: Weeds
alternative practice name: