From drought to supply chain issues, weed control proved to be a nightmare this past season. A leading weed scientist expects similar challenges in the new year, especially when it comes to herbicides in short supply.
“One of the things that I would look back on from last year was the lack of certain herbicide options to shortages. Input prices are high, but coupled with that are all kinds of supply chain issues and everything else,” says Kevin Bradley, University of Missouri Extension weed scientist. “At the farmer level, that meant a lot of people weren’t able to spray what they had intended to spray.”
The battle against weeds is a ongoing challenge every year. However from Palmer amaranth to tough-to-control waterhemp, 2022 did provide some key lessons during the growing season. And based on conversations he’s having, Bradley expects herbicide availability to be an issue again in 2023.
“Quite frankly, everything I’m hearing from retailers, economists and everyone else is that we’re probably in for more of the same next year with regard to that,” says Bradley. “So, as you look at that, then you may not be able to get option A and you’ll have to go to option B and option C.”
He says it created a difficult situation for many farmers who weren’t prepared to go to option C in 2022. But heading into next season, he implores farmers to have multiple back-up plans.
“I think you should, plan, plan, plan,” says Bradley. “Have an option A, an option B and an option C. What I saw go wrong among some people at the last second, they called saying, ‘I couldn’t get this. What do I do now?’ As we all know, the traits in the field usually dictate the herbicides we’re going to spray. And if you didn’t plan for some option B, you were usually in big trouble.”
What to Do If You’re Faced with Drought
The other issue for some states is drought. As dryness remains parked over the country, even moving farther east, he says 2022 also provided key lessons when it comes to weed control during drought.
“In areas that saw drought last year, it usually equated to weeds that went all the way to flowering and seed production and those seeds are back in the soil right now. So, I would say those areas are more likely to have more weed pressure next year,” says Bradley.
Trying to Cut Costs
He says in those states that saw weed escapes due to drought, pre-emergence residual herbicides will be a key part of the weed control recipe for 2023, even if farmers are tempted to cut back on weed-control options due to rising costs.
“Don’t cut back on the front end,” urges Bradley. “For some reason, there’s a disconnect there, and that’s usually where they do cut back. I would much rather see us cut back on the post-emergence on the later timing, because if we can eliminate those weeds upfront, we’re not spraying as many late anyway. So definitely don’t skimp on your pre-emerge.”
