Herbicides applied to corn represent the most widely used group of pesticides applied to crops in Vermont. In 2003, the Vermont Agency of Agriculture reported that over 160,000 pounds of herbicide active ingredient were applied representing approximately 96% of the total pounds of active ingredient applied to all crops. Pre-emergence herbicide application to prevent weed emergence is still the most common practice amongst Vermont corn growers. However, incorporating IPM cropping practices such as crop rotations and cover crops as well as crop best management practices can greatly help in weed management and possibly either reduce the usage of herbicides or improve their efficacy.

In 2006, one winter workshop and two field meetings were held in Vermont to teach and demonstrate IPM such as non-chemical weed control strategies and methods to over 210 farmers and agricultural professionals. Emphasis was placed on the use of cover crops, crop rotations and mechanical weed control as methods to reduce weed pressures and reduce the intensity of herbicide use.

Of the 210 farmers and agricultural professionals who attended the three workshop/field days, 95 percent gained new information on IPM, primarily weed management. Eighty percent stated that thy intended to make a change in production practices with 50 percent of those intending to include such practices as inter-seeding, cultivation, tineweeding and crop rotation.