Agronomist shares winter weed, planting tips

CHATHAM, Ill. — When fields thaw this spring, farmers may find winter weeds have taken root in their fields.

According to Pioneer, farmers should be on the lookout for henbit, deadnettle, chickweed, shepherd’s purse and marestail.

Marestail fights against glyphosate applications while taking up water, light and space.

Starting fields clean and keeping them clean throughout spring can help with plantability and lessen compounding moisture issues.

Matt Montgomery, field agronomist at Pioneer, shared insight with AgriNews.

What weeds should farmers keep an eye out for in Indiana and Illinois?

“Marestail is a big one. We know if we get any height on marestail, it’s harder to control. Henbit, deadnettle and chickweed are the next three big ones. And then you have this assortment of mustards that we don’t like to see.”

How can farmers combat winter weeds?

“Tillage is one option, but there are also reasons not to till. Making sure to have a good, healthy vigorous crop in-season is important because anything that creates a lack of density lets winter annuals get a head start.

“Once that combine is rolling out of the field, we can jump in with something to nip that problem in the bud in the fall, early on, which is pretty important. Keep the problem from starting to begin with, with one of the different residual products that are out there.”

What’s something farmers should keep in mind this year?

“Remember that most of the time, we see a quarter-bushel benefit or greater for each day we get soybeans in the ground earlier. And that is a real, low-cost way for us to generate a little bit more yield out in the field. Same thing on corn.

“It has to be within reason. You have to have suitable soil conditions. You still want to get the job done right. Just bear in mind, you want to be able to seize those opportunities as they come along. If we can get in the field and you’re ready to go, there’s probably going to be some kind of yield benefit for you.”