The WeedCast Software Suite is a decision aid that currently includes the WeedCast and WheatScout models. These models were created by the USDA ARS and the University of Wisconsin. The software is written in Java and is free to download and use. The source code is released under the GPL.

WeedCast is an easy to use software program that forcasts three types of weed growth: Emergence Potential, Emergence Timing, and Seedling Height. The forcasted data provides valuable information that can be used to aid in making weed management decisions. WeedCast is designed to function with a minimal amount of input.

• Select the weed or weeds of interest and the following site properties using list boxes: Last Year's Crop, Tillage System, Soil Type, and Soil Water Content
• Enter your local weather information using a simple spreadsheet editor.
• Work in progress: Download your weather data!
• Enter a date range and click view output to see your forcasts.

Resulting data is displayed in a spreadsheet form and may be graphed from within the program.

WheatScout is a decision aid that predicts the effects of a variety of herbicides on green foxtail and wild oat in wheat crops. It requires similar information to Weedcast, but also requires some scouting information.

The two models are included in one software package. Version 4.0 may be downloaded from here:

• Download WeedCast!

In addition, you may be interested in viewing our:

• Documentation
• Programming Guide
• The GPL v2 (under which this software is licensed)

Once you have downloaded WeedCast.exe, click on it to extract (you will be prompted for a directory in which to extract). Inside the newly created WeedCast folder, you will find WeedCast.jar. Double click WeedCast.jar to start the application. If your computer is unable to open the application, it is possible you do not have a Java Runtime Environment installed. In the Windows environment you may receive a message 'Windows cannot open this file'. In that case, you will need to download Java from Sun's webpage. Alternatively, a java installer has been provided with WeedCast.

If you get an error about Java being unable to find the Main class, the most likely cause of your problem is a missing library file. These libraries allow Weedcast to graph data and parse equations. Be sure you have a folder called "lib" in the same directory as "Weedcast.jar". This lib directory should contain jep-2.3.0.jar and similar files. It is possible that the software used to unzip the application did not preserve the directory structure and put these files somewhere else. If that's the case, try unzipping with another program (Windows has a Compressed Folders application that works) or correct the problem manually.

For help using the program once you've got it started, see the documentation. Alternatively, contact us.