Herbicides
Remember chemistry class when the teacher poured two innocent-looking liquids into a beaker and a volcano of foam erupted? Similar, but less dramatic, chemical reactions can happen when incompatible herbicides are not mixed correctly.
Brian Geerlings recently bought a used sprayer and upgraded it with a See & Spray kit. He says weed control can cost $20 to $30 per acre, so being able to see and only spray weeds delivers a big savings.
To-date the company has done more than 1,000 greenhouse trials and field trials. Results show the Harpe bioherbicide platform can help overcome more than 30 resistant weeds.
Bayer has requested a new label for XtendiMax from EPA. Public comment is underway. Also, farmers and retailers are urged to verify final sale and use cutoff dates for dicamba-based products in their respective states.
Iowa State University Extension research shows weeds not controlled after the V2 growth stage can reduce yields by up to 1% per day. Uncontrolled weeds can also contribute to harvest difficulties and weed seed banks.
While farmers find the technology useful, especially for spot spraying and targeting fields in less-than-ideal conditions, weed scientists are buzzing with more caution.
Tolvera recently received registration by the EPA for use on spring and winter wheat, durum and barley.
Don’t take equipment to fields too soon and create headaches that will linger all season. While you wait for the right timing, consider doing prep work and projects that can help set you up for yield success.
Drone application has a lot of advantages for farmers and ag retailers, but it may not be the right choice for everyone.
“We’re living in a world where it’s just a matter of time,” Harlan Asmus says referencing the development of resistance.