Spring is Weed Control Time!
Mar 12, 2013
Author: Frank Miklozek, Indiana, frank.miklozek@channelseedsman.com
Now is a good time to start thinking about weed control. Once weeds appear, they can take over and can ruin a good crop in a hurry. It is time to think about your herbicide options for this growing season. This includes a residual to help to control tough weeds, while helping to protect your yield potential.
A good place to start is with an evaluation of last year’s weed management plan. A few questions to start with include:
1. Were weeds actively growing at planting in 2012?
2. How was weed control at harvest?
3. What is the crop rotation plan for each field?
4. Are residual herbicides and non-glyphosate herbicides routinely used?
5. How often is glyphosate used and at what rate?
Controlling weeds is critical to help maximize yield potential and it starts before you ever plant the seed. Weeds at planting are competing with the crop for nutrients, water, and sunlight. Weeds can complicate harvest, impact grain quality, and increase the weed seed bank in the soil.
Using an early season residual can give the crop a better opportunity to become established and help create a wider window for postemergence herbicide applications. Selecting the right residual to control the predominant or most problematic weed species is key to getting good control. Remember that using less than the labeled rate can lead to weed escapes. Always Read and Follow Pesticide Label Directions. Table 1 includes weed management options to use with Roundup® agricultural herbicides to control several tough weed species. In each case, it is important to start clean with a burndown herbicide or tillage. A comprehensive list of suggested herbicides, recommendations and best management practices can be found online at www.roundupreadyPLUS.com.
Table 1. Weed management options to use preemergence with Roundup® agricultural herbicides.
To learn more about weed control in your area, contact Frank Miklozek from Indiana (frank.miklozek@channelseedsman.com) or your local Channel Seedsman today.
