Sherman, Texas (November 14, 2025) – Texas A&M AgriLife Extension will be hosting the Weed Control University in Sherman, TX starting on November 21, 2025, at the Grayson County Courthouse.  This course is open to the public and gives a step-by-step orientation to the use and understanding of how different weed and brush control strategies work.

Weed Control University gives residents a better understanding of weed management strategies and the safety considerations for their use. (photo by Colton Spencer / NTX Livestock and Agriculture Committee)

The subject matter will cover weed identification and management in the range and pasture market (R&P), the turf and ornamental market, and backyard horticulture market as well.  Texas Department of Agriculture Continuing Education Units (TDA CEUs) will be offered at each session, but a TDA license is not required to attend. 

The sessions are open to the public and will benefit residents, gardeners, land managers, and agricultural producers with information on weed identification and management strategies.

Howe wheat research field day, herbicide weed control trials included along with additional fungicide, variety, and profitability trials, May 2024. (photo by D. Chad Cummings / Texas A&M AgriLife)

Fees for the Weed Control University will be $20 per session, and include light snacks and drinks, handouts, and information. Registration is required for attendance, but registration can be completed on site on the day of the event. 

Register at: https://grayson.agrilife.org/event/2025-weed-control-university-series-session-1/

For questions or additional information contact Chad Cummings at 903-813-4202 (office), or chad.cummings@ag.tamu.edu

Weed Control University session agendas (location Grayson County Courthouse Annex Assembly Room for most sessions)

Session 1 (Friday, November 21, 2025, 1-4 pm):

1) What is a weed vs. what is an invasive species? 
a. Definitions of weeds, invasives, non-natives etc.
b. Annual-biennial-perennial growth cycles and treatment timings to complement the life cycle
c. Weed/invasive/brush identification of common plants in Texoma
2) Post emergent herbicide modes of action and what that means for weed control 
a. Herbicide Groups 4, 2, 9, several other common groups for post-emergence applications
b. Slide presentations and physical demonstrations of the oxidants building up in the plant cells
3) Winter Brush Management Options
a. Brush Control with Mechanical, IPT, Basal IPT, Cut Surface, Brush Pile Management and Benefits
b. Timing and Techniques
c. Weather Considerations

Session 2 (Friday, December 12, 2025, 1-4 pm):

1) Pre-emergent herbicide modes of action for pastures and lawns
a. Indaziflam (Group 29), the dinitroanilines (Group 3), some on Photosystem II (Group 5), etc.
b. Timing considerations and best management practices
2) Drift Management Considerations and Environmental Fate of Herbicides
a. Herbicide fate in the environment (chemical properties of various herbicides, methods of transport and transformation)
b. Herbicide drift management (nozzles, psi, new technologies, adjuvants)
3) Laws and Regs (Label Interpretations)
a. The regulatory process and fed/state governance
b. Parts of the label
c. Species specific recommendations
d. Label updates to existing products

Session 3 (March 20, 2026):

1) Early Post-emergent Applications in R&P and Lawns/Ornamentals
2) Fertilizer + Herbicide Treatments for R&P and Lawns
a. Lawn treatments
b. R&P treatments (UltiGraz, Others)
3) Clean Up, Storage, and Disposal of Pesticides and Containers
a. Discuss BMPs for each topic
b. Highlight Grayson TCOG Pesticide Collection Day (May 2)

Session 4 (April 2026):

1) Mid and late post-emergence applications for R&P, lawns and gardens
2) Brush management with IPM strategies
a. Prescribed fire, chemicals, mechanical, grazing strategies for brush management
b. Timing and techniques per brush species or group of species
3) Industry Updates
4) Herbicide symptomology plot demos or presentation discussion (weather dependent)