In this episode, the team dives deep into the world of mechanical and cultural weed control. What starts as a fun discussion about corvids and birdwatching  quickly transitions into the heart of the episode—how growers manage weeds without chemical inputs. The crew explores the overlap between cultural and mechanical practices like crop rotation, cover cropping, hoeing, solarization, and high-wheel cultivators.

Ray shares nostalgic stories from the 1980s of farming with mules and mechanical tillers. Brett puts modern weed control into historical and economic context, and Alexis gets excited about the future—robotic weeders, solar-powered machines, and the upcoming Kentucky Mechanical Weed Control Field Day. From stirrup hoes to camera-guided cultivators, they explore how growers of all scales can improve efficiency, reduce herbicide use, and build healthier soils.

Special Mentions:

• Merlin Bird App from Cornell Lab
• Kentucky High Wheel Cultivator
• Walk-behind tractors
• Midwest Mechanical Weed Control Field Day
• Electrical weed control research
• The upcoming Kentucky Mechanical Weed Control Field Day on September 23rd

Call to Action:
Visit ccd.uky.edu and click on the Mechanical Weed Control Field Day (link below) tab to register. Learn about tool demos, solarization research, grant opportunities, and eat a free ice cream sandwich in exchange for your feedback!

Center for Crop Diversification 

2025 Kentucky Mechanical Weed Control Field Day

Weed Management