Herbicides
Maximizing ROI is Brian Scott’s No. 1 goal as he evaluates planting populations on his northwest Indiana farm. In 2024, the sweet spot was 100,000 seeds per acre, which cost $53 per acre in seed and yielded 76 bu. per acre.
Per CEO Bill Anderson in an interview this week, Bayer will have a decision in months — not years — about whether it will remain the only domestic producer of glyphosate in the U.S.
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Weed escapes impact critical growth stages and deprive your crops of life-sustaining nutrients. Learn how to manage early- and late-season weeds.
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Ask yourself these four questions to determine when to apply post-emergence herbicides for maximum weed management.
“The sourcing from international markets has become mandatory. It’s more likely that things will get expensive than change,” says Jim DiLisi of Fanwood Chemical.
A small group of farmers had the chance to meet with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s team last week. They described the conversation as enlightening and eye-opening, but their biggest takeaway was how open Kennedy’s team was to hearing their point of view.
While the new parameters for herbicide application add complexity, Stanley Culpepper from the University of Georgia says it is a challenge ag retailers, distributors, Extension and crop consultants have an opportunity to help farmers rise to meet.
Farmers can benefit from evaluating fields now and making a game plan for complying with the agency’s requirements. One positive is that the herbicide strategy will be implemented over time, instead of on a specific date.
“This idea of ever going back to a period of non-compliance like we had, I don’t think would be appropriate or ever acceptable,” says Kyle Kunkler, director of government affairs at the American Soybean Association.
Among the independent field agronomists’ recommendations: Address your No. 1 yield-limiting factor, employ the 5% rule and fix soil pH.
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Learn about the connection between uncontrolled winter annual weeds and soybean cyst nematode and how to control these costly yield robbers.
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Learn why the USDA classifies Asian copperleaf as a high risk weed for corn and soybean growers (plus how to identify and manage it).
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Trump’s pick to lead the Health and Human Services, is scheduled to appear in front of the Senate twice this week for confirmation hearings.
Growers are trying to figure out what caused missing plants in their corn stands last season and what solutions they can use this spring.
Keenali Complete and Keenali GR are the names FMC has selected for its two Dodhylex-based herbicides (tetflupyrolimet). The company anticipates introducing the herbicides as early as 2027 and 2028 for farmers’ use, pending EPA approval.
A recent AgWeb poll asked farmers where they plan to cut costs. Equipment purchases topped the list, but farmers also plan to scale back on fertilizer rates, use more generic products and reduce tillage or field passes.
Instead of looking at the technology to cut costs, southwest Kansas farmer Luke Jaeger sees it as a way to do a more effective job at battling intensifying weed pressure.
Vipan Kumar, associate professor of weed science at Cornell, documented a synergistic effect for greater control of kochia resistant to multiple herbicide classes.
The new post-emergence, knockdown solution is effective on broadleaves and grasses in glufosinate-enabled soybean, cotton, corn and canola acres.
Northern Illinois farmer Dan Hartmann made a big leap by purchasing a used sprayer with See & Spray technology. He says when looking at just his soybean acres, the technology will pay for itself in 18 months.
As the 2025 seed-buying process ramps up, the financial investment for conventional corn might look promising but you need to consider weed control, insect pressure and market opportunities .
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.