Virginia Tech Weed Science Team triumphs at 2024 Northeastern Weed Science Contest
The team has placed first in every Northeastern Weed Science Society Weeds Contest that its members have competed in since 2011.
The Virginia Tech Weed Science Team. (From left) Akash Brar, Suzannah Hale, Ava Veith, Caleb Henderson, Jenna Beville, Eli Russell, Elle Kitchin, Wyatt Stutzman, Navdeep Godara, Milos Viric, Aaron Tucker, Jacob Barney, and Juan Romero. Photo courtesy of Jacob Barney for Virginia Tech.
Battling against 12 teams from five universities, the Virginia Tech Weed Science Team has secured yet another first-place finish at the Northeastern Weed Science Society Weeds Contest.
The annual competition, hosted this year by North Carolina State University, challenges participants in a series of real-world scenarios and technical tasks in the field of weed science. This year’s contest included four key events: weed identification, herbicide identification, a written and physical calibration exam, and the “farmer problem,” in which students must diagnose and resolve a simulated issue presented by an “angry farmer.” Each event is designed to reflect common challenges faced by professionals in weed science, providing hands-on experience to students.
"The students have spent a huge amount of time and effort preparing for the contest,” said Jacob Barney, professor in the School of Plant and Environmental Sciences and one of the team's coaches. “This victory is a testament to the strong caliber of students that Virginia Tech recruits, who all go on to have successful careers.”
The Weed Science Team, also coached by Michael Flessner, associate professor of weed science, and Shawn Askew, professor of turfgrass science, excelled across all events. Eli Russell, a graduate student in weed science, earned first place individually, and placed first in the weed identification, written calibration, and farmer problem events. His teammate, Navdeep Godara, a graduate student in weed science, also secured first place in herbicide identification and second place overall. The winning team included Russell; Godara; Juan Romero, a graduate student in weed science; and Wyatt Stutzman, a graduate student in agronomy. A second team, consisting entirely of turfgrass pathology graduate students, claimed third place overall, beating several teams composed of weed science specialists.
“My favorite part of the contest was weed identification,” Russell said. “The first step to controlling weeds is identifying the weed species present, so weed identification helps us prepare for scenarios we will likely experience in the field.”
The faculty advisors played a crucial role in the team’s success. Flessner focused on training the students in herbicide events, Askew took charge of weed identification, and Barney led the calibration events. Askew also guided the students through weed identification and the farmer problem. The team practiced diligently, with regular sessions beginning in May and continuing until the competition in late July, ensuring the students were thoroughly prepared for each challenge.
This year’s victory cements Virginia Tech’s reputation as one of the top weed science programs in the country. The team’s continued success has had a lasting impact on the careers of its members, who often go on to prominent roles in the field.
The Virginia Tech Weed Science Team is already preparing for future competitions, including the National Weed Contest in 2025. The team remains open to new members, welcoming both graduate and undergraduate students who wish to hone their skills and contribute to the program's tradition of excellence.
