2025 Weed Conference
General Information Everything You Need to Know About Weeds at This One Meeting!
The 75th annual Washington State Weed Conference provides information on all aspects of weed control and management. It's one of the largest meetings of its type and covers crops of all kinds, turf and ornamental, and vegetation management.
The Washington Vegetation Management Association believes it is important to cultivate the next generation of weed scientists. As an important means to that end, in 2024, we instituted a scholarship to assist those who are already on track for a career in weed science. This scholarship is also open to undergraduates.
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Over 40 Topics & Speakers
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15 Recertification Credits applied for from Washington and Oregon
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3 Concurrent Sessions
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Luncheon & Social Hour
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Trade Show
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Annual Weed Quiz with Cash Prizes
Agenda 3 Day Program
2024 Agenda - 2025 Schedule Coming Soon
General Session
9:00 to 9:10 AM
Welcome to the Weed Conference
9:10 to 10:00 AM
What's Happening in State and Federal Pesticide Policies
Billy Olesen, Washington State Pest Management Association/PestStop
10:15 to 10:15 AM
Coffee Break
Sponsored by Ag Enterprise Supply
10:15 to 11:05 AM
Adding Technology to Application Equipment, Calibration, and Documentation
Ryan Kuster, Ag Enterprise Supply
11:10 to Noon
WSDA Stone Fruit and Grape Commodity Survey: What is at Stake?
Joshua Milnes, Washington State Dept. of Agriculture
Noon to 1:30 PM
Lunch on Your Own
1:30 to 2:20 PM
Biocontrol of Weeds: What's New and Does it Make Sense for You?
Jennifer Andreas, Washington State University
2:20 to 3:10 PM
Awards & Scholarships
3:10 to 4:00 PM
WSNWCB Update and Weed ID Quiz - Required for all afternoon credits
Mary Fee, Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board
4:00 to 4:15 PM
Afternoon Break - Sponsored by WA State Dept. of Labor and Industries
4:15 to 5:05 PM
Changes to the Certification of Pesticide Applicators Rule: What to Expect in Washington State
Christina Zimmerman, Washington State Dept. of Agriculture
Crop Session
8:00 to 8:40 AM
Vegetation Management Utilizing UAV Technology
Kurt Beckley, Altitude Agri Services, LLC.
8:45 to 9:25 AM
Biologicals: How They Work and the Benefits for Crop Performance
Orlando Tapia, Corteva Biologicals
9:25 to 9:45 AM
Coffee Break
Sponsored by Envu
9:50 to 10:30 AM
Weed Control in Onion Production
Dr. Rui Liu, Washington State University
10:35 to 11:15 AM
Keeping Accurate Chemical Application Records with GPS Spray Mapping
Jeremy Zerr, SpraySync
11:20 to Noon
The Role of Glyphosate in Canola Production and Ways to Mitigate Stress
Dr. Steve Van Vleet, Washington State University
Noon to 1:30 PM
Lunch
Aquatics Session
1:35 to 2:15 PM
Quagga Mussels: A Threat to People and Salmon
Travis Fuller, SePRO
2:20 to 3:00 PM
Washington State Aquatic Invasive Plant Identification
Wesley Glisson, Washington State Department of Ecology
3:00 to 3:20 PM
Afternoon Break
Sponsored by Corteva Agriscience
3:20 to 4:00 PM
Integrated Pest Management of Rid Mariners Village Lake of Brazilian Elodea
Taryn Hesketh, City of Richmond, BC
4:05 to 4:45 PM
Bottoms Up! Reducing Salmon Predation Through Aquatic Weed Management
David Kyle, Trout Unlimited
4:50 PM
Social Hour Sponsored by Wilbur-Ellis Company
Vegetation Management Session
8:00 to 8:40 AM
Turn Around, Look Around - Considerations in Herbicide Applications in Various Use Sites
Jerome Otto, Corteva Agriscience
8:45 to 9:25 AM
Weed Management for Roadside Fire Breaks and Buffer Zones
Dr. George Beck, Alligare, LLC
9:25 to 9:45 AM
Coffee Break
Sponsored by Envu
9:50 to 10:30 AM
How We Are Progressing Weed Management with Drones
Katharyne Sample, Central Washington Land Restoration Services
10:35 to 11:15 AM
Escaped Ornamentals Become Noxious Weeds
Susan Bird, Yakima County Weed Board
11:20 to Noon
King County Knotweed: How it Started, How it's Going
Sayward Glise, King County Noxious Weed Control Program
Noon to 1:30 PM
Luncheon
1:35 to 2:15 PM
Nufarm XHL Formulations and Tank Mixing to Increase Control of Invasive Weeds
Jon Storr, Nufarm Americas
2:20 to 3:00 PM
Improving Efficacy in Our Pesticide Applications
Don Frantz, Wilbur-Ellis Company
3:00 to 3:20 PM
Afternoon Break
Sponsored by Corteva Agriscience
3:20 to 4:00 PM
Measuring and Applying Dry Herbicide Products Correctly to the Right Weeds
Jerry Ellis, Envu
4:05 to 4:45 PM
Washington's Integrated Approach to Preventing and Addressing Invasive Species
Stephanie Helms and Maria Marlin, Washington Invasive Species Council
4:50 PM
Social Hour
Sponsored by Wilbur-Ellis Company
Turf & Ornamental Session
8:00 to 8:40 AM
Optimizing Plant Health to Reduce Pesticides
Kevin Hicks, Earthworks Carbon Based Fertility
8:45 to 9:25 AM
Pests of Drought Stressed Plants
Tim Kohlhauff, WSU
9:25 to 9:45 AM
Coffee Break
Sponsored by Envu
9:50 to 10:30 AM
Sprayer Calibration and Technology
Ryan Kuster, Ag Enterprise Supply, Inc.
10:35 to 11:15 AM
New Herbicide Options for Annual Bluegrass
Jake Leiser, Nufarm
11:20 to Noon
Improving Efficacy in Our Pesticide Applications
Don Frantz, Wilbur-Ellis Company
Noon to 1:30 PM
Luncheon
1:35 to 2:15 PM
Turf Weed ID, Life Cycle, Best Spray Timing for Control Using Foundation and Desperado Turf Herbicides, Managing Deposition and Customer Expectations
Tim Magney, Wilbur-Ellis Company
2:20 to 3:00 PM
Getting the Most Out of Your Weed Management Program with Considerations too: Time, Labor and IPM
Colm Allan, Corteva Agriscience
3:00 to 3:20 PM
Afternoon Coffee Break
Sponsored by Corteva Agriscience
3:20 to 4:00 PM
Thinking Differently About Weed Control in Landscapes
Danny Vandecoevering, Envu
4:05 to 4:45 PM
Controlling Difficult Broadleaf and Grassy Weeds in Turfgrass
Chris Concienne, Helena Agri Enterprises
4:50 PM
Social Hour
Sponsored by Wilbur-Ellis Company
General Session
8:00 to 8:10 AM
Officer and Board Election Results
8:10 to 9:00 AM
Nozzle Technology and Droplet Size Management
Mike Powers, TEEJET Technologies
9:05 to 9:55 AM
Importance of Knowing Your Target & Non-Target Species
Susan Bird, Yakima County Weed Board
9:55 to 10:15 AM
Morning Break
Sponsored by Nufarm Americas
10:20 to 11:10 AM
Vegetation Management Panel Discussion/Round Table Herbicide Q&A
11:10 AM
Awarding of Door Prizes - Adjournment of Conference
2025 Featured Speaker Sessions Led By Industry Experts
Richard A. Johnstone
Rick serves as President and founder of the 501c3 non-profit corporation IVM Partners and is owner of VMES, LLC Vegetation Management Consulting. He directs vegetation management research and training under IVM Partners and is a liaison and advisor for federal, state and tribal land management agencies, electric and natural gas utilities, universities and conservationists. Under VMES he provides vegetation management consultation and is an expert witness in litigation. Rick served as System Forester for two electric utilities and is Past President of the Utility Arborist Association and a Registered Professional Forester with a BS degree in Forest Resources Management from West Verginia University. He has over 47 years' experience and is a technical advisor for restoring native pollinator and wildlife habitat using cost effective integrated vegetation management strategies.
More Speakers Coming Soon!
Sponsors & Exhibitors Thanks to Our Corporate Supporters!
Location & Hotel Where to Stay
Wenatchee Convention Center
121 N Wenatchee Ave
Wenatchee, WA 98801
These hotels are convenient to the Convention Center. Please specify you are with the Washington State Weed Association.
The Coast Wenatchee Center Hotel
$115 / night single
Red Lion Wenatchee
No special conference rate
Hilton Garden Inn
$115 / night single or double
Get Answers Frequently Asked Questions
Get Registered Online & In-Person Registration
Registration is Now Open!
Registration includes all meetings and workshops, Thursday luncheon, social hour, and abstract of material presented by various speakers.
Low-Cost Registration Fee
Before or on October 26: $200 / person
After October 26: $250 / person
Online Only Option: $150 / person
Mail / Fax
If you would rather register by mail or fax, please download our registration form PDF and mail payment to:
Washington Weed Conference
P.O. Box 5021
Benton City, WA 99320
or fax the form to (509) 288-4771
Please Note: Refunds are issued upon request up to one week prior to the first day of the conference. Requests after that date are non-refundable.