WSSA announces 2026 weed contest winners
The Northeastern, North Central, Southern and Western affiliates of the Weed Science Society of America, Westminster, Colorado, tested nearly 250 students on their weed science skills this summer and announced awards for the highest-scoring teams and individuals.
“These competitions are a fun and challenging way to test both individuals and teams on their weed science knowledge and problem-solving capabilities,” says Ian Burke, Ph.D., president of the Weed Science Society of America. “We applaud the dedication and excellence that the students demonstrated to master the skills needed to achieve the high scores during the testing. We also applaud the dedication from the many volunteers, sponsors and industry and university weed scientists who collaborated to make each regional contest possible.”
The 2026 Northeastern Weed Science Society Weed Contest brought together 61 students and 52 volunteers from six universities. Students competed in contests to demonstrate their ability to identify weeds, calibrate sprayers and diagnose herbicide injury, among other practical weed science skills. The contest was held July 28 at the University of Maryland Wye Research and Education Center in Queenstown, Maryland.
The North Central Weed Science Society and Western Society of Weed Science Student Weed Contests convened July 30 at the Bayer Crop Sciences Water Utilization Learning Center in Gothenburg, Nebraska. With help from roughly 70 volunteers, these two societies tested 110 undergraduate and graduate students in similar competitions designed to mirror real-world weed science challenges, including one that required contestants to diagnose “farmer problems” accurately and recommend optimal solutions.
Additionally, the Southern Weed Science Society Weed Contest attracted 73 contestants from 12 universities, including 19 graduate student teams. The Southern Weed Science Society contest was held at the University of Tennessee Aug. 5 to 6.
Below are the winners from each participating region, in High Plains Journal’s coverage area:
North Central Weed Science Society
Graduate Student Winners, Individual, Overall
- First place: Ankit Yadav, University of Nebraska
Graduate Student Winner, Individual, Weed ID
- Ankit Yadav, University of Nebraska
Graduate Student Winner, Individual, Problem Solving
- Ankit Yadav, University of Nebraska
Undergraduate Student Winners, Team, Overall
- First place: University of Missouri, with Austin Wilson, Ella Goldinger, Jacob Heitman
Undergraduate Student Winner, Team, Field Calibration
- First place: Iowa State University, with Ethan Easter, Rocco D’Antico, Steven Tri
Undergraduate Student Winners, Individual, Overall
- First place: Austin Wilson, University of Missouri
Undergraduate Student Winner, Individual, Weed ID
- Amelia Meng, Kansas State University
Undergraduate Student Winner, Individual, Written Calibration
- Benton Kerr, Kansas State University
Southern Weed Science Society
Graduate Student Winners, Team, Overall
- First place: University of Arkansas, with Noah Chandler, Cade Halbrook, Cory Ketchum, Aiden Ross
Graduate Student Winners, Individual, Overall
- First place: Noah Chandler, University of Arkansas
- Third place: Cade Halbrook, University of Arkansas
- Fourth place: Cory Ketchum, University of Arkansas
Graduate Student Winner, Individual, Weed ID
- First place: Noah Chandler, University of Arkansas
Undergraduate Student Winner, Individual, Overall
- First place: Gage Long, University of Arkansas
Western Society of Weed Science
Graduate Student Winners, Team, Overall
- First place: University of Wyoming, with Ian Waldecker, Lucas Gara, Madison Grogan
- Second place: South Dakota State University, with Ashish Chaudhary, Muskan (FNU) Jakhar, Hunter Mitchell
Graduate Student Winner, Team, Field Calibration
- University of Wyoming, with Ian Waldecker, Lucas Gara, Madison Grogan
Graduate Student Winners, Individual, Overall
- First place: Ian Waldecker, University of Wyoming
- Second place: Kiera Searcy, Washington State University/Colorado State University
Graduate Student Winner, Individual, Herbicide Symptomology ID
- Ian Waldecker, University of Wyoming
Graduate Student Winner, Individual, Problem Solving
- Ian Waldecker, University of Wyoming
Graduate Student Winner, Individual, Written Calibration
- Ian Waldecker, University of Wyoming
“Congratulations to the 2026 Weed Contest winners and best of luck to all who are already preparing for the 2027 competitions,” Burke said. “Everyone who competes and volunteers benefits from the teaching, testing, learning and collaboration that occur during these contests — ultimately it all helps to advance the science needed for future weed managers to successfully and sustainably protect managed and natural ecosystems across North America and the world.”
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