WSSA Applauds Peter Sikkema for Canadian Ag Hall of Fame Selection

The recognition honors individuals who have made remarkable contributions to Canadian agriculture

WESTMINSTER, Colo., July 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Weed Science Society of America (WSSA) is celebrating Peter Sikkema, Ph.D., a long-time WSSA member scientist, for his recent selection to join the Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame (CAHFA). The CAHFA announced Sikkema's selection, along with five other individuals, on June 12, with plans to hold an official induction ceremony on Saturday, November 8, in Victoria, British Columbia.

Sikkema was a leading weed-scientist, researcher, and educator at the University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus. He served as the Canadian Weed Science Society (CWSS) representative to the WSSA Board from 2010-2012 and as CWSS president in 2011.

Nominated for the award by the Grain Farmers of Ontario, Sikkema "helped farmers minimize crop yield loss from weed interference and maximize net return per acre," notes the CAHFA. "He's internationally recognized for pioneering work on herbicide-resistant weed management in corn, soybean, small grains, and edible beans. Peter was committed to addressing real-world challenges and knew the value of his research was measured by changes made to on-farm weed management practices. His practical, down-to-earth approach drove his extension activities, resulting in numerous research, extension, and teaching awards."

Anita Dille, Ph.D., another leading WSSA member scientist, who has co-authored several weed science research studies with him, applauds and celebrates his selection for the award. "Peter is exceedingly deserving for this honor," says Dille, a Kansas State University weed-science professor and past WSSA president. "It was a great privilege to work closely with him on the WSSA Weed Loss Committee. Our collaboration began in 2014 when we started collecting corn yield loss data from researchers across the USA and Canada, before tackling soybean, wheat, dry bean and other crops. Through his efforts and the committee, it was exciting to see how the corn yield loss manuscript became one of the most cited papers published.

"He knew the value of this information for farmers and researchers alike," adds Dille. "He was very enthusiastic about weed science, focused on conducting, gathering, and disseminating important and valuable information to demonstrate and justify the need for continued investment in weed science research and outreach."

In addition, Dille says, "Peter was an awesome mentor and very supportive of his graduate students. For example, when one of his students received a WSSA Travel Enrichment Experience Award, he sponsored a second student to travel along to gain from the experience as well."

She also points out that when they both served on the WSSA Board of Directors, Dille as treasurer and Sikkema as the CWSS representative, "he was very thoughtful in his contributions to making the WSSA stronger and a benefit for all members."

For more information about WSSA and its weed sciences resources, visit: https://wssa.net/resources.

About the Weed Science Society of America

The Weed Science Society of America (WSSA), is a nonprofit scientific society, founded in 1956 to encourage and promote the development of knowledge concerning weeds and their impact on the environment. The Society promotes research, education and extension outreach activities related to weeds, provides science-based information to the public and policy makers, fosters awareness of weeds and their impact on managed and natural ecosystems, and promotes cooperation among weed science organizations across the nation and around the world. For more information, visit www.wssa.net.

Contact:

Lee Van Wychen
Executive Director of Science Policy
National & Regional Weed Science Societies
[email protected]
202-746-4686

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SOURCE Weed Science Society of America