Be proactive with weed management

ATLANTA, Ind. — Farmers can plan now for weed control success next year.

Beck’s Hybrids field agronomist Luke Schulte shared advice during a webinar.

“Ultimately, sustainable weed control involves getting it right from start to finish,” he said.

To guard against yield loss, achieve weed-free fields, and minimize the development of herbicide resistant weeds, farmers should try to:

• Get it right the first time with a thorough burndown.

• Use comprehensive pre-emergence applications.

• Make the most of post-emergence applications.

Benjamin Franklin once said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” A similar philosophy holds true when preventing weeds from appearing in the first place, Schulte said.

“The No. 1 management practice associated with high yielding soybeans is planting early, but planting early should not dictate a reduction in the pre-emergence program,” he said.

“I would encourage you to possibly just consider an adjustment — minimizing that potential impact that we expect to see with cool, wet conditions that predominantly come when we plant early.”

When it comes to post-emergence herbicides, paying attention to minor details can make a big difference.

Ammonium sulfate conditions hard water to help glyphosate work well.

“AMS source and rate are critical to Liberty, Glyphosate and Enlist One,” Schulte said. “Gallons also matter. Don’t cheat gallons per acre.”

Keys To Liberty Success

• Use 1 to 3 pounds of dry AMS or equivalent.

• Spray at 15 to 20 gallons per acre.

• If not spraying with Enlist One, use medium droplets.

• Spray weeds less than four inches tall.

• Spray in the heat of the day.

“Formulate a plan today,” Schulte advised. “Use resources to come up with a plan, and don’t forget a plan B and plan C.”