By Scout Nelson
Dr. Roger Becker, an Extension Weed Scientist from the University of Minnesota's Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics, is the guest speaker on this week's University of Minnesota Extension Minnesota CropCast.
Growing up in southwest Iowa on a cattle and grain farm, Dr. Becker became interested in field research while attending Iowa State University (ISU). His love of weed science brought him to an internship at Monsanto and ultimately to ISU's PhD program in weed science.
Dr. Becker’s career at the University of Minnesota began in 1987, where he became a prominent figure in addressing critical agricultural challenges. His research and Extension work focused on important issues where there were gaps in expertise.
Initially, he worked on managing herbicide contamination in groundwater, particularly in forage crops. As his career progressed, he also took on responsibilities in weed control for sweetcorn producers after a colleague in the Horticulture department retired.
One of the significant milestones in Dr. Becker’s career was his involvement in managing invasive species. He began collaborating with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) when purple loosestrife was listed as a noxious weed. This experience connected him with the biocontrol and regulatory communities, and he became a key figure in the biocontrol of invasive weed species.
Dr. Becker’s work has had a lasting impact on weed science and invasive species management, and his insights continue to benefit the agricultural community. His appearance on the Minnesota CropCast provides valuable information for anyone interested in the field of weed science.
Photo Credit: university-of-minnesota
Categories: Minnesota, Education